The Landesknechte Flamberge Sword should whet the curiosity of anyone interested in battlefield lore, since the weapons which inspired this replica fell out of favor so long ago that even experts aren’t sure of all the reasons behind this unusual design.
At 51-1/2 inches in overall length, this replica flamberge is still a little short by medieval standards. Some true combat flamberges or flambards were closer to six feet in total length. There’s considerable argument about how heavy the combat models really were, but eight to ten pounds is a good guess. Many ceremonial models were heavier than this 12-pound version, giving rise to legends of true giants in the European ranks. Doppelsoldners (or “double soldiers”) who wielded the real thing were giant enough, and earned double pay because of it.
During the practical heyday of the flamberge, it’s now thought that the wavy edges of the two-handed blade were designed to lop off the heads of pikes rather than soldiers. After slashing their way through the bristly formations of long spears, the Doppelsoldners and their backup forces found themselves in close combat with the pikemen themselves. The flukes at the base of the cutting edge allowed a grip forward of the handguard and gave the owner some parrying protection and faster close-up response.
Others theorize that the wavy blade caused an opponent’s weapon to vibrate when parried, slowing its movement and giving the owner of the flamberge the upper hand. Made from wrought iron, hardwood, and steel, this modern version shows some simplification but still closely resembles the real item.
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