Dussack

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A Dussack (also dusack, dysack, tesak, tuseckn, thuseckn, disackn, or dusägge) is a type of antiquated German practice weapon that originated around the 16th century. The dussack was intended to represent various short, single-edged weapons in a training environment. Using a dussack, one could train for a Hiebmesser or grosses Messer, which translates to English as "big knife," falchion, or cutlass. As usage of the dussack became more widespread, various schools turned use of the dussack into a sport as opposed to training for a real weapon.

A dussack was made of wood, although that is not to say that metal ones were not made. It is important to note that metal dussacks were very uncommon because a metal dussack became a real weapon as opposed to a waster with the intent of training for a real weapon.

Based primarily on the Messer rather than the older falchion, dussacks had a short, thick, single-edged blade measuring between 70 and 95 cm. It was gently curved and brought to a point at the tip. The dussack often lacked a hilt. Instead, the handgrip was merely a hole cut inside of the blade; without a pommel or upper guard, it looked something like a large hole for gripping scissors. Since dussacks were wooden, none is known to have survived, and only woodcuts and training manuals from the period document their existence. Only a single (but odd) iron dussack is known.