Sources for Falchion

[DaveSmith]

Been reading the forum for a long time, but as I finally found a study group in my area and started with them... I thought maybe it was time for my first post. I have a longstanding interest in the falchion, but I can't find any good references for it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

~Dave

[Jaron Bernstein]

This isn't a weapon I know how to use, but by my limited understanding you use it the same was as you would a messer or a dussack. And there are plenty of manuals out there for them.

[Casper Bradak]

There are many who would argue that they are the same thing, to a point.
Dave, if you're asking with that in mind, most "german" fencing manuals have sections on that weapon.

[DaveSmith]

Great, that definitely sends me in the right direction. Any recommendations on which manuals have the best coverage of falchions? Also, which manuals would you recommend on sword/dagger fighting?

Thanks Again Everyone!

[Casper Bradak]

The wallerstein codex and an edition of Hans Talhoffer's manual are currently translated and published for starters, both of which have good sections on the falchion. There are many others, mostly untranslated and on the net, and at least one that is exclusively on that weapon.
The sword used in conjunction with a dagger is very minimal in medieval texts, but it comes into more use in civilian and foyning fence, and can be found with swords and rapiers in such 16th c. and later manuals that deal with that particular area of the martial arts. Cappo Ferro's Gran Simulacro is published and translated, and deals with the rapier and dagger.

[Randall Pleasant]

Casper wrote:
The wallerstein codex and an edition of Hans Talhoffer's manual are currently translated and published for starters, both of which have good sections on the falchion.

Dave

I have both the Codex Wallerstein and Han's Talhoffer's manual and I also have a falchion waster. I will bring the books and the waster with me to next ARMA DFW practice. After Ernie gets his fill of drilling, and drilling, and drilling and more drilling, I'll work with you on this topic.

Please note that due to the disappearance of a couple of good books in the past I no longer loan my books out. <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

[DaveSmith]

that's great Ran... thanks a lot! I should've thought to just ask you. Can't wait!

[Stacy Clifford]

For sword and dagger check the English manuals. I know Swetnam covers it, and I think Silver does a bit too. Di Grassi might also have something, but I haven't looked lately. Leckeuckner (sp?) is the one that covers entirely falchion I believe.

[Randall Pleasant]

Dave

Let me correct myself. My waster is a messer, not a falchion. The blade of the waster looks like that of a falchion but it does not have a pommel. I don't think you'll be able to tell a difference.

[Travis Beamon]

Dave if you -ever- feel like learning some good dagger technique, just mention Goliath to Ran at any point in the practice. Even better on one of Ernie's days off. I can guarantee all other activities will cease and practice will degenerate to learning grappling and dagger technique <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'm not sure if you saw it or not but Ernie was doing some awesome work with sword and dagger last week as well.

-Travis Beamon
ARMA DFW

[DaveSmith]

I did see that, and it was pretty exciting. That's one of the number one things I wanted to learn in ARMA. Ran... can't wait to learn some falchion and dagger techniques (whether it be a falchion or messer...lol).

[Bart Walczak]

Leckuchner is the way to go if you want to learn messer (falchion). It's not yet been translated though...

[Brian Hunt]

there is this tranlsation that deals with messer.

http://www.schielhau.org/lebkommer.html

Brian Hunt

GFS

[Jeffrey Hull]

Yeah, I am happy that MR did that.