Is This the Ultimate Self-Defense Sword?

Now THAT's a "knife"... By medieval German standards. The messer (AKA langes / grosses messer or langmesser) is a single-edged sword with a characteristic guard and a knife-like hilt typically consisting of riveted handle scales with a pommel cap. It was a "common man's sword" particularly popular in the 15th & 16th century.

Have you seen my other videos about these and similar weapons?

Falchion or Messer? - Definition and Differences
   • Falchion or Messer? - Definition and Diffe...  

One Hell of a "Knife"! (Langes Messer by Lukas Mastle-Goer)
   • One Hell of a "Knife"!  (Langes Messer by ...  

How Practical is my Saber-Messer-Yatagan Hybrid Design?
   • How Practical is my Saber-Messer-Yatagan H...  

This reproduction is made by Landsknecht Emporium and fully functional ("battle-ready", as you might say). In this video I talk about its role in history and show you the results of the testing I did in order to review its build quality.

The weight, balance, and handling are just right. A remarkably powerful yet nimble sword, with an efficiently shaped, comfortable grip. The sharpened clip point makes it practically double-edged, and the blade geometry and seriously sharp edge make it cut impressively well.


** Specifications **

Overall length: 60.5 cm (23.8’’)
Blade length: 49.5 cm (19-1/2’’)
Blade width: 5.1 cm (2’’)
Blade thickness: 5.7 mm (7/32’’) tapering down to 4mm (5/32") near the tip
Point of balance: ca. 8.5 cm (3-1/3’’)
Weight: 997 g (2 lbs / 3 oz)
Blade material: 6150 spring steel
Handle material: Walnut (other options: beech, oak, pear, boxwood, antler)

Price (as of 22 April, 2022):
270EUR = 366 CAD = 294 USD
Scabbard: 120 EUR = 163 CAD = 130 USD


** Where to get it (affiliate links) **

https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...

Coupons:
• GUSKALL10 - 10% off of any Gustav messer (applies to the first 10 buyers)
• GUSCAB15 - 15EUR off of any Gustav scabbard (applies to the first 20 buyers)


** Sources **

Debunking the loophole myth:
“Ungewoenliche Lange Messer: Weapons regulations in Southern and Western Germany in the 15th century” by Bastian Koppenhöfer, 2021
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t5qT...
https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:...
https://www.fricker-historische-waffe...


** Music credits **

Outtakes:
"The Cavern of Wonders", "RPG Ambient 3", "RPG Ambient 4 (The Dark Woods)" by Hitctrl
https://opengameart.org/content/rpg-t...
https://opengameart.org/content/rpg-a...
https://opengameart.org/content/rpg-a...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)

"Medieval: King's Feast" by Random Mind
https://opengameart.org/content/medie...
CC0 1.0 Universal - Public Domain

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission


** Merch **

https://www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/


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Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:

Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259

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https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW...


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