falchions

A falchion is a single-edged European sword characterized by a broad, curved blade that widens toward the tip. The name derives from Old North French falchion, itself from falx, the Latin for sickle.

Most falchions are roughly 60–100 cm long, with a heavy, wedge-shaped blade designed for chopping. The edge is single-edged; the opposite side may be flat or curved. Many examples have a short crossguard and a pommel; some feature a fuller running partway down the blade to reduce weight. Blade curvature and breadth vary by region and period.

In the late medieval and early Renaissance periods (roughly 13th–16th centuries), falchions were widely used by infantry across Western Europe, especially where heavy armor protection made stabbing less effective. They were designed for cutting and hacking in close quarters and coexisted with longer, double-edged swords and polearms. Regional varieties reflect local arms traditions.

Today, falchions are studied by historical European martial arts communities and reproduced by arm makers for collectors. They illustrate the era's continued interest in versatile, one-edged blades and the shift from specialized polearms to more multipurpose swords in European warfare.