Geoff thank you so much for this great entry, and for sharing the nice spectrum of examples. I think this well shows the individuality of many of these, and how they are often tailored to the character and needs of the person acquiring each of them.
Also I would like to thank you bringing together some of the perspectives we have discussed concerning the possible origins of this basically Kabyle form, and most importantly presenting and citing these references.
It is true that many of the flyssa with differently shaped blades as seen could feasibly be used in the manner of other swords, however the hilt in my view remains one of the factors in use which seems ineffective.
The long needle point blade is of course the primary objective in observing these swords as a whole rather than the variants. One problem I have always seen pertaining to the idea of slashing/drawcut use is the ability to hold the grip securely with such an awkward and heavy blade, the momentum would seem compromising....but I am admittedly no authority on swordsmanship.
I was not aware of the Kabyles use of horses as they are essentially mountain tribes, but again, certainly some regions may be feasible for horsemen.
It is often noted that these 'flyssa' has some of the same deep ancestry with various 'Mediterranean' weapons and in turn Roman and Greek, but these influences are notably nuanced in many edged weapon forms.
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