BEIDANA unusual weapon Piedmont regions Italy

Jim McDougall · 21st August 2025, 09:18 PM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bill+spike

In random searching online, came across this most unusual weapon form, which seems to have been brought up several times with suggestions of implements of farm use etc. Some of these align with bill hooks and chopper like fascine knives.

In further searches these are related to dusagge and medieval falchions , but these seem to have most unusual features which seem more decorative than pragmatically useful, such as squiggle like appendage at point.

It seems these are termed BEIDANA by form classification, and historically derive from the Waldensian people of the Piedmont in N. Italy. These seem like a machete type weapon but the extraneous features are perplexing. One characteristic feature seems to be the appendage at the pommel, grip which appears to be a sort of belt hook or attaching feature.

It is suggested that the association with the Piedmont as far as these particular forms comes from around late 17th-18th c. but the Waldensians as a proto-Protestant group from the Catholic Church begins in late 12th c.in France. The variations of the weapon form goes back as far as 8-9th century with Lombardian cleavers.

Most unusual edged weapon form which seems little known generally, so wanted to look into it further.

The curious turnback on one seems almost fanciful, and the heart and clover shaped blade piercings intriguing. While these of course are likely derived from agricultural implements much as bill hooks etc. they were of course employed as weapons as required much as in the case of the ranks of many medieval armies. The separation between tool and weapon is seldom well defined with most edged weapons.

kronckew · 30th August 2025, 03:08 AM

Search the forum with BEIDANA, there are numerous examples posted with a lot of info. I've always wanted one. There is/was an old blacksmith in the region still making them in a variety of patterns. By the time I found him online (apparently his daughter did the online website) He was no longer making them and wasn't able to send them out from italy.

They came without sheaths/scabbards, the handle hook was for hanging in the barn, the tip loops and/.or holes were, i'm guessing' just decorations. They were apparently occasionally used as weapons when needed, much like the german bauernwehr.

Jim McDougall · 30th August 2025, 12:19 PM

Thanks so much for responding Wayne!
I sort of figured that they were more tool than weapon, but as always not that much space between the two. A weapon is pretty much anything that can be used AS a weapon.

21st August 2025, 09:18 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,547	BEIDANA unusual weapon Piedmont regions Italy http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bill+spike In random searching online, came across this most unusual weapon form, which seems to have been brought up several times with suggestions of implements of farm use etc. Some of these align with bill hooks and chopper like fascine knives. In further searches these are related to dusagge and medieval falchions , but these seem to have most unusual features which seem more decorative than pragmatically useful, such as squiggle like appendage at point. It seems these are termed BEIDANA by form classification, and historically derive from the Waldensian people of the Piedmont in N. Italy. These seem like a machete type weapon but the extraneous features are perplexing. One characteristic feature seems to be the appendage at the pommel, grip which appears to be a sort of belt hook or attaching feature. It is suggested that the association with the Piedmont as far as these particular forms comes from around late 17th-18th c. but the Waldensians as a proto-Protestant group from the Catholic Church begins in late 12th c.in France. The variations of the weapon form goes back as far as 8-9th century with Lombardian cleavers. Most unusual edged weapon form which seems little known generally, so wanted to look into it further. The curious turnback on one seems almost fanciful, and the heart and clover shaped blade piercings intriguing. While these of course are likely derived from agricultural implements much as bill hooks etc. they were of course employed as weapons as required much as in the case of the ranks of many medieval armies. The separation between tool and weapon is seldom well defined with most edged weapons. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 21st August 2025 at 09:40 PM.

30th August 2025, 03:08 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,248	Search the forum with BEIDANA, there are numerous examples posted with a lot of info. I've always wanted one. There is/was an old blacksmith in the region still making them in a variety of patterns. By the time I found him online (apparently his daughter did the online website) He was no longer making them and wasn't able to send them out from italy. They came without sheaths/scabbards, the handle hook was for hanging in the barn, the tip loops and/.or holes were, i'm guessing' just decorations. They were apparently occasionally used as weapons when needed, much like the german bauernwehr.

30th August 2025, 12:19 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,547	Thanks so much for responding Wayne! I sort of figured that they were more tool than weapon, but as always not that much space between the two. A weapon is pretty much anything that can be used AS a weapon.