A Kabyle Flissa of Algeria

Flavio · 18th May 2005, 11:46 AM

Here for your comments a short Kabyle flissa

Length 39.5cm maximum width 2.8cm. Scabbard: Length 31.4cm width 3.3cm

Conogre · 18th May 2005, 04:51 PM

Very nice...these are from Morocco, rather than Algeria and yours is of roughly the same size as my first one.
As a dagger, I was impressed with the intricate work and lightness of the long, slim blade, wrongly assuming that a sword would be similar and thus more decorative than functional.
Once I held a larger one, my entire assesment immediately changed and made me look at them in an entirely new light, one of the most awesome swords of the region in my humble opinion, and an artistic masterpiece by any standard.
Mike

ariel · 18th May 2005, 11:05 PM

The full-size ones are usually quite long, about 40-42" total. I handled some and felt that the balance was very poor as a result. I remember reading somewhere that the ideal lenght of the cavalry sword should cover the body of the man holding it just abobe his head (pointing down, of course) and to reach the ground (to get to the fallen foe) when the swordsman was halfway leaning from the saddle. Anything longer was deemed to be too heavy and unwielding. I guess, Flyssa is an example. Also, their very thin tip made it easily bendable (as opposed to Pesh Kabz whose tip was reinforced)
But they are pretty and strikingly exotic, no doubt.

Lew · 19th May 2005, 06:10 PM

Hi Flavio

Here is a link to an old post concerning Flyssas.

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001953.html

Lew

Flavio · 20th May 2005, 12:25 AM

Hello Mike. Why do you say that these are from Marocco? Spring attributes to the Kabyle of Algeria. Have you some other sources? Ariel I don't know wich was the real use of Flissa, but again on Spring's book there is the picture below. Thank you Lew for the link

Conogre · 21st May 2005, 04:47 AM

I suppose the next logical step is to find out where the "Kabyles" really originate, as Stone identifies them as Moroccan on pg 235-236, while I freely admit to having no actual knowledge of the exact geography involved.
I would imagine the confusion is multiplied by both areas being trade centers with similar or the same pieces appearing in both locations.
Mike
ps...whew!
I stand corrected as to the location of the Kabyles as being in Algeria, with much apparent confusion pertaining to the Berbers in general, who occupy a much greater range.
For now, it would appear that Mr. Stone was at least as bad at geography as myself.

18th May 2005, 11:46 AM	#1
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	A Kabyle Flissa of Algeria Here for your comments a short Kabyle flissa Length 39.5cm maximum width 2.8cm. Scabbard: Length 31.4cm width 3.3cm Attached Images

20th May 2005, 12:25 AM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Mike. Why do you say that these are from Marocco? Spring attributes to the Kabyle of Algeria. Have you some other sources? Ariel I don't know wich was the real use of Flissa, but again on Spring's book there is the picture below. Thank you Lew for the link Attached Images

21st May 2005, 04:47 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	I suppose the next logical step is to find out where the "Kabyles" really originate, as Stone identifies them as Moroccan on pg 235-236, while I freely admit to having no actual knowledge of the exact geography involved. I would imagine the confusion is multiplied by both areas being trade centers with similar or the same pieces appearing in both locations. Mike ps...whew! I stand corrected as to the location of the Kabyles as being in Algeria, with much apparent confusion pertaining to the Berbers in general, who occupy a much greater range. For now, it would appear that Mr. Stone was at least as bad at geography as myself. Last edited by Conogre; 21st May 2005 at 05:01 AM.

18th May 2005, 04:51 PM	#2
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Very nice...these are from Morocco, rather than Algeria and yours is of roughly the same size as my first one. As a dagger, I was impressed with the intricate work and lightness of the long, slim blade, wrongly assuming that a sword would be similar and thus more decorative than functional. Once I held a larger one, my entire assesment immediately changed and made me look at them in an entirely new light, one of the most awesome swords of the region in my humble opinion, and an artistic masterpiece by any standard. Mike

18th May 2005, 11:05 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The full-size ones are usually quite long, about 40-42" total. I handled some and felt that the balance was very poor as a result. I remember reading somewhere that the ideal lenght of the cavalry sword should cover the body of the man holding it just abobe his head (pointing down, of course) and to reach the ground (to get to the fallen foe) when the swordsman was halfway leaning from the saddle. Anything longer was deemed to be too heavy and unwielding. I guess, Flyssa is an example. Also, their very thin tip made it easily bendable (as opposed to Pesh Kabz whose tip was reinforced) But they are pretty and strikingly exotic, no doubt.

19th May 2005, 06:10 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Flavio Here is a link to an old post concerning Flyssas. http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001953.html Lew