Haha no worries guys, I got addicted the moment I stumbled onto this forum five years ago. And like Lew said, I absolutely fell in love with the flyssa. It's been downhill since
Nathaniel, I really wouldn't mind dabling in dhas. I've got three so far and expect I'll snatch many more before all this is over. I'm 28 and got a ways to go I figure :Wink:
Gavin, these very long blades are all very top-heavy. I can see the flyssa used in estoc in a cavalry charge and thrust, but the top weight of these blades requires some powerful arms to hold straight for any period of time. Insofar as their use for slashing goes, I haven't handled too many sabres and I'm not sure how they compare. The length feels a bit awkward...in contrast my Indian tulwars are very well balanced. Thie new monster I got has no balance whatsoever, the hilt is way too light.
The problem is we have no real source on how these were used. I've poured over lots of old French accounts from the 1830s onwards but none of them actually study the way Kabyles faught. One general suggests that these were used by cavalry and infantry alike, the latter using the wide belly of the blade to good effect when decapitating prisoners. A short cleaver type blade would be much better for decapitation though
Now if Kabyles faught on camel-back then the length of the flyssa would have considerable advantage, allowing riders to reach infantry below them. Unfortunately I don't think this is the case, especially since Kabylia is hilly and mountainous country.
On the ceremonial/presentation thought Gavin, I don't think it's the case with Kabyles. Unlike SEA kingdoms and polities, the Kabyles formed a fairly loose confederation of tribes and clans, each with their own elders. My understanding is that they were more practical and less formal, so the production of bearing swords or advertizing specimens is unlikely I think. The Iflissen tribe was already established as the armourer of the Kabyles, producing knives, swords and even guns. One venue for resolving this question is finding out the circumstances in which the French "captured" a flyssa in the Kabyle rebellion of 1871. That sword is at the Invalides in Paris and it's on my list to see next time I'm there. I hope there is some comment on whether this flyssa was taken during combat from a fighter or just removed from non-combating leaders/elders.
I'll post some more pics later of all 5 together. My only hope is that I don't find another flyssa for sale somewhere before my next pay-check
Cheers,
E