Cold Steel Kriegsmesser Review

Cold Steel Kriegsmesser
This sword was generously donated by sword friend Ian. His continued patronage keeps fun messrs in the mix! Cheers Ian!
This example came with a little damage from UPS but was basically new. Ian had not used it prior to sending at least not much. I am not sure how representative it is of a new sword but I suspect the issues I point out may be present across the model line.
Blade Specs:
Hilt: 11”
Grip: 9”
Pommel: 1.25”
Blade: 33.5”
Width @ Cross: 1.70”
Thickness @ Cross: .295”
-
Width @ 10” from Cross: 1.54”
Thickness @ 10” from Cross: .22”
-
Width @ 20” from Cross: 1.45”
Thickness @ 20” from Cross: .156”
-
Width @ 30” from Cross: 1.25”
Thickness @ 30” from Cross: .119”
Total: 44.5”
Weight: 3lb 4.6oz
POB: 4 from Cross
Hrc: 55file has a little bite in most places.. Around the blade node it dips between 40-45
MSRP: $399 ($379 at KoA)
Weapon Dynamics Specs:
Mass 1491.18492
Hilt Extremity 0
Grip Reference 27.94
Blade Extremity 113.284
Center of Gravity 38.1
Lever Reference 3.175
Hilt Node 24.13
Blade Node 85.725
Action Point 21.59
Pivot Point 85.725
Action Point 7.62
Pivot point 66.04
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[@dallinliddle2766]

"Mom, can we get a Albion Knecht?" "No, we have an Albion Knecht at home." *the knecht at home*

[@thegreatlemmon7487]

XD

[@andrewdonaldson8879]

I'm a teenager. I've been subscribed to Matthew Jensen for well over a year now, and I ended picking up a few of his mannerisms. I never said the word "whatnot" until I started watching his videos. (My mom isn't too happy abt that.) I also learned to be less opinionated and more interested in what others have to say. Kudos to Matthew. He's a good influence.

[@Dmoriarty1993]

Nicely put. But as an older man, I would caution you against absolute statements for you are only seeing one aspect of Mathew.

[@erichusayn]

Still looks like a vast improvement over their older, pre GSM models. Hopefully after seeing this video, they will make the tweaks they need to make a really nice kriegsmesser at an affordable price. Great review, as always.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I hope for some improvements as well. I think they made a very compelling sword here, just missing some of the durability and ruggedness.

[@erichusayn]

@@Matthew_Jensen yeah, that hilt construction and heat treat/tempering definitely needs some work.

[@JoeSteel1]

I will want to own a messier one day...that looks like a good option, great job on this Mr. Matthew

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks 👍

[@KF1]

Good review as always. 18:54 Damn, though understandable feeling. Similar sentiment here with other pieces. Overall "swordness" is directly related to how much confidence it inspires in the user. This one def a tad soft and flexible. Interesting note about the difference in HRC at varying points on the blade. Wasn't expecting as much as a 10hrc difference, which seems a massive jump in softening. Good show!

[@vaultguy8011]

hi there just came over from skallagrim wanna say I'm thouroughly impressed by the Detail in your Tests great Video

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Awesome, thank you!

[@JuardianK]

I appreciate the in depth review and closeups on the fittings. By chance I found one the old grosse messers and reviewed it. I was very curious how they changed the design for this newer one. I expected the taper, but I'm very surprised by how flexible it seems and what you noticed about the steel potentially being softer by the cutting portion. Great review.

[@outlawsamurai47]

If anyone's wondering I too did a review of this sword of course I blackened mine because I'm lazy and didn't want to clean the thing cuz it kept rusting on me every damn day so that's a criticism for the Cold steel kriegsmesser and a problem I think Cold steel should address with stainless steel fittings oh very important note on blackening sword lights spray them off with Windex when you're done or they will continue to keep rusting beyond where you'd want them to stop I found that out the hard way

[@StreakedSilver]

Just found you thanks to Skall giving you a signal boost, I'm highly interested in this sword, Lets watch and see what you think. Best of uck to you Sir and your channel.

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Ditto

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Hope you like the video.

[@StreakedSilver]

@@Matthew_Jensen I did, I may consider this blade, but you bring to light some very good points. I just wonder how easy it would be (which is ..not at all) to see if one can even the heat treatment if it is indeed borked.

[@calebhebert2733]

neat. nice video review. very level headed.

[@gobbygoberton7113]

Really good review especially the HRC test.

[@johnsheetz6639]

It's probably one of my favorite styles of sword like a big boy katana

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

I need a sword friend like Ian...no one sends me swords 😂

[@outlawsamurai47]

That was literally my first thought too that it looked like the Albion model

[@johnbd9765]

Seems like there's a wave of albion imitation models among mid range manufacturers right now. Since this one was a disappointment, looking at the balaur arms kriegsmesser myself.

[@johnjones3981]

Mihawk's blade 2.0

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

Thank you for this review. I have the old CS Grosse Messer and while it's ok there is room for improvement. But as my budget is usually sub $400 it rules out a lot of swords I'd really love to get. So when I saw the CS kriegs messer I was generally interested..but wanted a trusted reviewer to get the ball rolling

[@90mi89]

Shout out. Here from skallagrim

[@mysticmarbles]

I took a file to the edges of the grip on mine. Nothing extreme: five minutes of light filing that you can't even see and the hard edges wend away. It would be so easy for them to fix that.

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Cold Steel used to be known for handling like crowbars and shaky heat treats. Looks like they fixed one of those issues.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Indeed, one of those is not a problem.

[@henrikbuchholz1983]

big messer fan here, i hope they can improve on the nagel with a square pin

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Its just a few tweaks away from greatness.

[@shawn4888]

I recently ordered a tanahagane blade from swords of Northshire if you are interested in reviewing it when it comes in.

[@petar.dj98]

Which katana do you think is best under $300? Huawei? I think only they do waisted handles at this price category

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Huawei is great in so far as what I have seen.

[@ArfooHuroo]

I feel .... knechted to the sword

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Probably just for show. Or made at a lower bidding factory.

[@LegionTacticoolCutlery]

This made in India (Windlass)? Too bad. Hopefully GSM will fix the issues.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I am not sure where but India is a fair guess.

[@jamesedmison2768]

A comment for the algorithm

[@jodyfree953]

100!!

[@jesbass3603]

What is a good place to buy a good katana? I want something that would be used to fight zombies lol quality

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Kult of Athena has lots of good options. Custom options from JKOO are also cost effective.. Ronin Katana is durable or Cloudhammer Steelworks.

[@valandil7454]

Recommended by Skallagrim and all facts and educated review 🙂 So already 10x the rubbish we've been getting from Shadiversity, as he was the last person I saw buy one of these and all he really had was "it cuts bottles and it's pretty..." not very helpful..😐

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Hope it was helpful.

[@valandil7454]

@@Matthew_Jensen it was thank you 🙂 Since seeing Skallagrim's Albion I've wanted this type of messer but can't afford one, I've always been curious whether they really do feel like Japanese nihonto, before I got into HEMA my background's in Japanese Jujutsu and Kendo

[@hollowedentity7097]

How’s cold steels quality after new ownership?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I don't know if I can answer that. I have only a couple examples sense the change in ownership and I don't know if t hey were made before or after.

[@hollowedentity7097]

@@Matthew_Jensen truth. If I could get my hands on a pre2019 warrior katana I’d be a happy camper. Mine lasted a decade before it snapped. And that was with constant abuse.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Check out Joe X for knives, choppers, etc. He does destruction tests on a lot of cold steel ones. Doesn't look like he has any swords. And I doubt the swords are done at the same factories or at least not all of them. Usually a sword has a different use case so requires different heat treat protocols etc.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

@@hollowedentity7097 snapping could be from the abuse, plastic deformation. Over time of mild bending it will snap eventually. Or perhaps something else along those lines.

[@hollowedentity7097]

@@tacticalcenter8658 it definitely saw major abuse. That’s why it’s impressive. Shit held up for a long time under HORRIBLE conditions. That’s why I’d like to find another one manufactured from an earlier time.

[@AntonioHernandez-rh3wx]

I didn't like the fact that it's made in India but so far so good.

[@henrikbuchholz1983]

most low price swords are made in india

[@smolsnek3835]

I can't not see the rasmus dude when I see ur face

[@hollowedentity7097]

I broke my old warrior katana so I attached it to a staff and now it’s a godly weapon.

[@henrikbuchholz1983]

so you made a naginata?

[@lukesalsbury7336]

Repent or perish in Hell all eternity

[@StoningXStephen]

"A derpy cousin of the Albion" and there's the sword snobbery that comes in every sword review.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I can see how it is snobbery. For context the Albion Knecht has had a cult like following for some time and was the only example of a Kriegsmesser people got to see from a production house. I am sure there were others but the Knecht got a lot of attention when messers were less popular. The Cold Steel Kriegsmesser could have made a lot of design choices but they went with one very close in salute and features to the Knecht. Messers can have a fair bit of variety and flare. Cold Steel could have made something a little more their own but instead we have similar grips, pommel, cross, fuller, and blade profile. It is only $400 in contrast to $1800 but also lacks the refinement of the Knecht. It is speculation on my part but I think Cold Steel intentionally tried to make a more affordable Knecht. Either by accident or intent, they are similar products with significate quality differences that are apparent at first glace. Perhaps that is snobby but I don't mean it to be. I invest a fair bit of attention to cost effective swords but I am also realistic about where they stand in the hierarchy of quality.

[@StoningXStephen]

@@Matthew_Jensen I appreciate the response and clarification. I definitely understand the comparison because it does seem like a pretty direct copy of the Knecht. I also feel like a sword should be judged on it's own Merritt compared to those in a similar price range.For instance is it a vast improvement over the Cold Steel Grosse Messer? How would you compare it's handling and cutting to other similarly priced swords of a similar length? Is it worth the price or are other options a better value in your opinion?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

All fair questions and I think I addressed them in my way. There are some similar messers from other companies but not quite the same. I don't really see a lot of messers in general. There are a notable few but many of the blades in this size made by other vendors are 2x-5x the cost. In that respect there is a lot right for the money. Profile, dynamics, and arguably the grip. But some bad, heat treatment and the cross section/naggle stand out as examples. There is a lot right for the money but some stand out issues that make it a sword you should approach with caution. Or at least have a game plan to fix.

[@thorael]

as a left handed knife-liker, i should not buy this

[@Matthew_Jensen]

If you swap hands, avoiding would still be a recommendation.

[@thebenforever]

"Knife-liker" has been added to my dialogue options. Lol. Much obliged.

[@matthewjohnson1510]

The grip might be more suited for traditional European martial arts: the gauntlet was a staple. Maybe wrapping the grip in leather cords if a gauntlet is unappealing? Historical images of katana wielders seem not to have gauntlets. Great video. Incredibly satisfying.