03-10-2011, 02:54 AM
Here in Portugal we had the Falcata being used for a long time. You can find a lot of references on the "Falcata Lusitana", so naturally when we practice historical fencing we would use replicas of falcatas.
From my experience I can say that it is a weapon with a very different balance than a gladius or a latter viking sword. It swings well, but you can't really thrust with it.
So it would be a slower weapon (considering a thrust speed versus a swing speed) but it could cleave better (the design tends to concentrate the force on the inside middle). It cuts more or less like an axe.
Also from a manufacturing point of view, I feel it would be harder to produce than a double edged gladius.
Simply speculating I'd say that with harder manufacturing, and a wartime use akin to an axe it simply was to much trouble for little gain in the battle field.
From my experience I can say that it is a weapon with a very different balance than a gladius or a latter viking sword. It swings well, but you can't really thrust with it.
So it would be a slower weapon (considering a thrust speed versus a swing speed) but it could cleave better (the design tends to concentrate the force on the inside middle). It cuts more or less like an axe.
Also from a manufacturing point of view, I feel it would be harder to produce than a double edged gladius.
Simply speculating I'd say that with harder manufacturing, and a wartime use akin to an axe it simply was to much trouble for little gain in the battle field.
