Sickle, Scythe

The sickles and billhooks of combat illustrate the ingenuity of medieval peasant-warriors, transforming agricultural tools into formidable weapons. These instruments, originally designed for harvesting and pruning, found a unique place in the European martial arsenal between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Documented in treatises such as that of Paulus Hector Mair (1542), these improvised weapons offered unique combat techniques. The sickle, with its curved blade, proved effective in close combat, even influencing the development of more sophisticated weapons like the guisarme.

Within the context of HEMA, the study of these peasant weapons allows for the exploration of unconventional combat techniques, enriching our understanding of historical martial arts. Our selection of replicas, faithful to historical models but adapted for safe training, allows you to discover and practice these unique combat methods, offering a fascinating insight into the martial adaptation of everyday tools in the Middle Ages.