Messer vs. Falchion

This is actually a great question.

A falchion is a single edge sword typically hilted in the traditional medieval fashion. It varies in length with a blade anywhere from 20" and up. These started appearing in the sense we know of in the 11th century and may have their roots in the Viking single-edged seax. Falchions were developed all the way through the 16th century. It's frequently mistaken that falchions were lower in cost than a standard sword, but this is historically not the case.

A messer typically a bit shorter blade (14" and up), with riveted scales, an angular grip profile, and a knuckle guard to protect the hand. It evolved in the 14th century in Germany. The Kriegsmesser (war knife) is normally considered to be a longer two-handed flavor of this type that resembles a two-handed saber. Sometimes, the longer one is called a grosse messer in a modern context - but this term was never used in antiquity.

A dussack evolved from the messer into a more sophisticated design in the 16th century with elaborate knuckleguards and sweeping quillions. However, there are many examples of dussacks that a quite simple with only a curved guard to protect the hand. It is said to be of Eastern influence.

All are similar in that they have a single-edged blade, yet there are distinct differences in the design and evolution of each.

That surprises me a bit. I was under the impression Falchions were used by people less skilled in swordsmanship... such as conscrips or archers, since front line melee was not their forte'.

Ya I was also under the same impression that Odingaard had. But what ShooterMike says makes a lot of sense. I mean why would someone like a knight or a warrior in a higher level of society pass up on such a good weapon because it was cheap or whatever. People didn't just fight with a specific thing based on your class you fought with whatever worked.

I think Odingaard meant to say Kriegsmesser, which is the long two-handed war knife seen in various period depictions, like this one:


Contemporary woodcut illustrating the Kriegsmesser in use around 1500 AD

To add to what Mike said, English archers were quite accomplished sword and buckler fighters.

I believe that the proper historically correct term is Kriegsmesser.

Grossemesser is a contemporary way of saying the same thing.

Read Odingaards original post, he explains it real well.

Are we sure? I mean I could see some German in the 14th century whipping out a 27-28" wide-bladed messer to threaten another German. And the second German saying "ACK! Das ist eins GROSSE MESSER! Nein nein!..."

Are we sure he's whipping out a messer?

Heh heh, sorry, couldn't resist. If I may offer an observation. Falchions that I see much more typically have the point in line with the hilt, going so far as to have single edged, straight blades. Messers much more commonly do NOT have the point in line with the center of the hilt, as per the above illustrations. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to each design. Falchions of the non-Conyers type seem to favor the straight thrust, often with a double edged point for a short bit or none at all. Single Handed Messers, as shown in manuals, commonly have a long back edge, used in cuts with the false edge. Cuts with the false edge of a single edged sword are or can be quite unexpected, which may have given a slight psychological edge to the Messer Fighter.

I considered it, but from my own personal experience with it coupled with Mike's review of it, the blade is too thin to reduce the length down to a more managable and balanced size. It has around a 27" blade out of the box, I'd want it at around 20"-22". The shape would work, but I don't think it would have the integrity that I would want.