Cold Steel Grosse Messer - Man at Arms Collection

Contrary to common perception, not all European Medieval and Renaissance swords were straight and double-edged; single edged, curved blades were actually quite common, particularly among the non-noble professional Men-at-Arms and mercenaries of the late Medieval and Early Renaissance. Utilitarian weapons, they were easier to create, cheaper to produce, and were marginally more durable than the double-edged sword. Though many of these swords had humbler aspirations, it was not unknown for knights and nobles to carry exquisitely-crafted single-edged swords. While Italy favored the Falchion, Central Europe and Germany in particular favored the Grosse Messer / Kriegs Messer. While the falchion shares hilt construction akin to double-edged medieval swords, the Germanic Messers are clearly an up-scaling of utility and defense knives taken to the size of single and double-handed swords. Though rough and rustic in appearance, the surviving German fighting manuscripts document a complex art of fencing that surrounded the Messer. Those who lived and died by these blades clearly took it as seriously as any martial artist; They practiced the coordinated footwork, attacks, counters, disarms and grappling necessary to win the day on the battlefield, or in the rough city streets. The thick spine of the Grosse Messer ensures that it is not only durable, but that it strikes and drives into the foe with a ferocious bite. There is no room for mistakes when fighting one who is armed with a messer - it will end the duel quickly as soon as it can penetrate its opponents defense and lay him low. The long grip gives room for leverage and control and the crossguard, while simple, gives ample protection. This Cold Steel Messer is from their Man-At-Arms collection. It is a practical cutting blade with no frills. The sharp 1055 High carbon steel blade is blued for a dark, protective finish and the hilt of steel is blued to match. Two dark wooden slabs are riveted to the thick tang for a grip and the pommel and tang are screwed into place with a pommel nut. Comes with a black leather scabbard with a blackened metal chape and throat.

Cold Steel Messer Differences

Cold Steels Man at Arms Messer is constructed with a forged, tempered and sharpened blade of 1090 high carbon steel; the blade is finished with a deep