European One-handed Weapons

Katzbalger Sword.

The Katzbalger is designed to do one thing: chop.
The Katzbalger is one of most devastating sword
in close combat. It is a very solidly piece that's
meant for dirty business.

The unique form of side arm was, the Katzbalger (Cat Fight)
is designed for the close in, hand to hand combat of a melee,
these weapons were often shorter than other broadswords
but very quick in action.
The grip and pommel are of a unique style but are very
comfortable and well suited for the style of close combat.
The leather-cove grip widens towards the pommel cap so
that is almost impossible to lose it in combat.

Measurements and Specifications:

Medici Falchion Sword.

A falchion , from Old French fauchon,
is a one-handed, single-edged sword.
The weapon combined the weight and power
of an axe with the versatility of a sword.

The blade designs of falchion varied wildly across the
continent and through the ages. They almost always included
a single edge with a slight curve on the blade towards the
point on the end; they also were affixed with a
quilted cross guard for the hilt in the manner of the
contemporary long-swords. It appeared to be more like
a meat cleaver. It was used against the lighter armors by
the infantry and the knights alike. It had a wide heavy blade
with point of balance towards the tip.
It could inflict heavy blows.

Measurements and Specifications:

Shifford Viking Sword.

the Viking sword is a seemingly simple, yet complex, subject.
The shape of the pommel and cross guard are
faithfully reproduced, as is the characteristic short grip.

The fuller's profile is sharp and crisp, with no wandering
or drifting of its outer edges. The blade features an
edge geometry that is acute yet substantial enough
to give good service. The sword was also responsive in
thrusting maneuvers. The sword is an agile and efficient
cutter that strikes with authority.
The sword's grip, being 3.75 inches in length, may be
considered by some to be too long.

Measurements and Specifications:

St. Maurice Sword.

A sword of truly royal quality.
This handsome sword was the coronation sword of the
emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.

The grip is hardwood bound in twisted wire.
The blade has a fuller which runs nearly its full length.
It is a massive sword, surely intended for use
from horseback. The cross and pommel are well
executed with no visible pitting.
The etching on the cross and pommel is very nice and
particularly on the cross it is very well-defined.
The only weakness of this particular sword aesthetically
is the handle wrap. The sword performs nicely
in cutting against medium to hard targets.
It is not a great thrusting sword as the blade
presents mitigates against easy point tracking.

Measurements and Specifications:

Duke of Urbino Sword.

The sword bears a copper coin in the recess on one side of
its pommel that depicts the Duke of Urbino, hence its name.

The Duke of Urbino is a sword in transition.
This sword would have been an excellent weapon for a Knight
of the period with a strong blade well suited to the thrust
as well as the cut. Having a nice stiff blade, the Urbino is
designed for thrusting into the more vulnerable areas of
the plate armor. However, because of the stiff blade and
fairly wide cross-section, It would be unforgiving in the cut
with those users who failed to get the edge properly
aligned with the target.

Measurements and Specifications: