Moroccan flyssa variant
length: 21"
I've always thought flyssa (both the weapon and the word) were pretty nifty, so I've made it a point to
track them down and include them in my collection when I can.
Never had the $$$ to score one of the big sword-sized ones yet, but I have
seen/handled/owned about half a dozen flyssa knives and short swords. All of
them have looked just like flyssa were supposed to, but this one ... is
... different.
(here's a
link to a standard flyssa, go ahead and check it out if you want to,
I'll wait.)
Okay, back to the flyssa at hand. This is the only flyssa I've
seen with a wooden rather than brass handle. The really cool part is
the blade, bolster, and tang junction area - check out the huge spine (7/8"
thick), and the way the bolster and tang merge into an almost clothespin
shaped wooden handle, which is one solid piece.
The blade and
handle are held together with two long rivets. The wooden handle on this flyssa
is of typical bird's-beak form, but the beak itself broke off and is now
rudimentary (no mouth or nostrils left). There's not as much brass inlay on
this flyssa as is common, but check out that funky peace sign. Note also the
"gimping" done halfway down the back edge of the blade, and the uncommon
false edge.
This is blatantly a flyssa, but not so blatantly Moroccan. Have you ever
encountered one like this?
blade: 16 1/2"
blade width: 1" at the peace sign
grip: 4 1/2"