Medieval Langes Messer (AKA falchion/hanger) Unboxing Review: Krieger Historical Weapons

[@risingSisyphus]

the joy emanating from Matt when he first draws the messer is amazing, like a kid unwrapping the christmas present he wanted most

[@carlosdiaz2688]

Your scholarship is great.. thank you . Sir... Maybe is squad could put the spear The space one..ha ha Together join them create a shield Like the Romans . Shield thing ... Like a Octupus in plain sight ? Crazy .. stimulating show this one .

[@risingSisyphus]

@@carlosdiaz2688 my man carlos faded on the percs for sure

[@ironwolfF1]

Why do I think he's just obtained his future SHTF carry blade... 😉

[@HittoTheAssassin]

​@@ironwolfF1bro that's exactly what I was thinking.... I was going to buy one. Obviously sold out still

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

UK Border Force are literally like the guards in Skyrim! "They have curved swords... curved... swords!"

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Yeah except they also receive at glory holes all of em

[@Boggsy.]

Onenof my favorite Messers on the market. Super happy to see it get your attention, and Krieger Historical in general are amazing.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Couldn't agree more!

[@brittakriep2938]

@@scholagladiatoria : Mr. Easton, i , Brittas boyfriend, am german and like to watch your videos. Today mostly only on huntsmens ceremonies, you can see a long type of hunting knife called ,Hirschfänger', mostly singleedge. The shelllike decoration seems to be a variation of Nagel, so i personaly think, Hirschfänger is a descendant of langes Messer, and so also military Hirschfänger, also known as ,sword bayonnet.

[@valentingartner3793]

Spotted Dog?

[@upinarms79]

As someone who used to work for UPS, I highly recommend using anyone else. They're notorious for rough and careless handling and you'll be lucky if you get your package in one piece. Better have it insured if it's anything of value.

[@brettanomyces7077]

Just bought one thanks to this review, Matt! I'm having my handle done in Black Oak and having the guard brassed. Can't wait!

[@Steven-jn2cw]

did you buy through Facebook? how is the Messer?

[@brettanomyces7077]

@@Steven-jn2cw Communicated through Facebook, however I ended up backing out on getting it as they only take bank transfers for payment and I prefer to have protections through credit card or paypal.

[@jessecunningham9924]

I was yelling at the screen so Matt would pull the blade out of the scabbard! What a gorgeous weapon 🤤!

[@johnracine4589]

He was too distracted by the pommel’s thick butt

[@andreweden9405]

I Appreciate the proper number of rivets on this messer, it just seems more historical to me. Federico Malagutti did a video sometime back showing off a rondel dagger by Krieger that he had gotten, and I thought it looked VERY nice as well.

[@grantcox4764]

Very true Matt, sometimes you do just have to "yank it"...

[@alexanderguesthistorical7842]

That thing is absolutely WICKED! If it were mine I'd have to grind off a false edge, so when you look a the blade profile you read it as a clipped point (even though it's a drop-point). I bought a set of chisels recently and re-shaped the handles to something like a London pattern, with an octagonal section (like the boxwood Sorby chisel handles). I wasn't happy with the old set I had as I'd re-shaped the handles a few times to a small pear-drop shape. They look lovely, but they didn't feel very nice. So I made the octagonal section on the new handles relatively long, and the turned vase-shaped collar fairly short. When I held one for the first time, I couldn't believe it! The parallel sides of the octagonal section were INDEXING the grip for me, telling me exactly where the line of the chisel is, just by feel alone. I realised that's why the pear drop shaped handles were letting me down. Edge alignment in chisel handles is very similar to swords! You could always do a video on how you sharpen your knife (lot's of double-entendres there no doubt). There's lots of knife sharpening videos out there, but it would be interesting to see what stones and techniques you use???

[@martialme84]

I like that you say "Nagel" properly. Fits the technical and fact oriented style of your channel. Too many people say some incorrect "nejgel"-type thing for some weird reason.

[@420JackG]

What a beautiful piece of kit

[@maciejcocieto4361]

5:06 Matt in Poland soon?! Let's get hyped!!! I love when you say "polish shabla" it's so fun to hear it! Łódź is pronounced something like "Wuj".

[@grantcox4764]

It looks amazing, bet with a little attention on the edge it will cut like a demon. Looking forward to the full review and cutting demo.

[@dlmiller7873]

I think that handle looks absolutely perfect.

[@Stigstigster]

The Opinel needs no explanation! You know we all love the things as one of the ultimate utilitarian pocket knives, even if it was invented by a Frenchman.

[@MadNumForce]

I am French, but to me the ultimate utilitarian knife is the Catalan Pallarès navaja común : a blade ground just as nicely but of more pleasant profile, a sleeker handle, and a square heel slip joint.

[@Stigstigster]

@@MadNumForce Ooh, nice! Love the leaf shaped blade on those. Somehow I've not seen those before.

[@TheDamokles]

I can wholeheartedly recommend their Type F2 Falchion which was a custom order of mine turned production model and their Bürger messer which is an absolute behemoth with a long and very wide clip point blade.

[@helojoe92]

I'm really thinking about getting my first sharp longsword from Krieger, I'd love to see a review about one from you, Matt!

[@ronnyweinreich]

The French Man takes out his Opinel knife. The American says, that's not a knife and takes out his Bowie knife. And the German starts laughing. 👻

[@texasbeast239]

The dwarf draws his axe, chops them all in half, and orders a beer.

[@mandolinmandolin]

Firstly I'm going to qualify my statements with the fact that whilst I hold a BA degree in History, and I am very interested and enthusiastic on the subject of HEMA, I have very little to show with regards to practical experience, the closest being having fenced on the epee team at university some years ago... I have almost no practical HEMA experience (But I do have a healthy lay interest) and own no equipment beyond my fencing gear and electric epee. I simply have my amateur interest, enthusiasm, and potential future aspirations to perhaps participate one day... That being said, I love your videos Matt and I am a huge fan of your channel and presentation style - I have followed your videos for some time and honestly they have often brought me lots of joy and comfort in some of the most difficult times in my life when finding a video that both entertains and informs has kept me going when it would have been very easy to have given up. So firstly, just a thank you really to Matt, your channel is one of best and most informative on KZbin and a will be a valuable and entertaining resource for years to come. As a channel regular though, I have therefore naturally considered for a while which type of sword(or swords) I would like to own if I were to begin a collection and to.... well... be brutally honest I have never been a big fan of messers/hangers/falchion etc. I love 18th and 19th century swords, sabres, smallswords and spadoons especially because I always had this preconception that somehow a hanger was a less elegant weapon, with the single edge (yes I know many others I list also have singles...), shorter length, thicker blade(?) and most importantly the more knife life properties and aesthetics. I always saw myself carrying something like a flankers sabre, perhaps a light cavalry sabre or maybe a spadoon or infantry officer regulation blade with a big old three bar handle and a tasty antique Wilkinson - elegant and traditionally service sharpened blade which would be as at home on the Battlefield as it would be at a white tie dance... and which would carry a certain degree of history and tradition..... perhaps you can forgive me for imagining such a romantic aesthetic... perhaps not... I do however ask forgiveness to those who might be shocked to learn that at points in my life I might have even looked down upon the hanger as.... ugly? Not pleasing to my personal taste perhaps is fairer... it’s just never been a sword which has really done much to move me... For this I can only apologise because lately, and largely through the absolutely beautiful sword in this particular video, I find myself questioning everything I once thought I believed - the messer in this video, scabbard, belt, everything, I just find absolutely beautiful to the extent that I could quite easily see myself owning and wearing it, and am quite seriously considering it as the first blade for my (so far theoretical) collection. Something about the proportions, the lines, the quality and style just speak to me somehow. It's really jumped on the basis of this video to pretty much the top of wish list at this stage, much to my complete surprise. I'm not sure if it's your presentation, the design and look, the high quality or just a mix of all three, but somehow it just speaks to me in a way not felt before. Maybe I was unjust before, perhaps fickle, maybe even somehow prejudice or ignorant to different sword styles, But this video has really opened my eyes to the extent that I as soon as I am able to afford I think I might be purchasing the exact sword shown in this video (all specs matched)... and as my first every one too! So really all that remains to say is thanks to Matt for making such fantastic content and to opening my eyes to wonderful historical weapons that I had either not heard of or not particularly liked. It’s a wonderful feeling to learn something new and be proven wrong! Thanks Matt! And hats off to Krieger historical weapons for making such fine replicas! I hope one day to fulfil my dream of owning one!

[@batteredwarrior]

Just ordered a "Komtur" Type XVI arming sword from Krieger for my 40th. Can't wait to get my hands on it! 😊

[@frankharr9466]

I cannot tell you how appropriate it is that it was held together by a nagel/nail. That is a beautiful thing. I look forward to the results. You just noticed that about the sabers? Well, I'm glad to see I could be right.

[@flyboymike111357]

Drop point is gorgeous. I'm kind of over clip points, every tacky wanna Ka-bar style knife in America has a clip point it's kind fo gotten to a point where for me as a modern person I love anything that brings variety to my edged implements collection.

[@ssunfish]

While I agree with your point., I'm still excited about Landsknecht Emporium Gunter next fall for me. I liked his explanation in penetration

[@cympimpin20]

Mein Gott that is a gorgeous knife ;) Looks exactly like what someone who is moderately well off but certainly not rich would really carry for self defense when out. Maybe he just had a really good year in his business and does a bit more traveling, or a young man from a well-to-do back country family. Not ostentatious or meant as a display of wealth, but clearly someone who did have an eye to look like he should be taken seriously, and a blade that can do the job when simply looking mean and pretty isn't enough. Very well chosen.

[@elgostine]

blade reminds me a great deal of the various single edged swords from iron age germany, e.g the albion cherusker. also you compare the messer to sabre techniques, to my mind itd match well with naval cutlass maneuvers

[@MrTryAnotherOne]

"Do you like the sound of that?" That came unexpected.

[@onevision2203]

messers were popular as well in Poland and Bohemia

[@INTERNERT]

that design of sword really appeals to me for some reason, what a fun example

[@robertmccann5838]

Came to tge channel years ago for tge swords, I stayed for the innuendos.

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

Beautiful blade, really happy for you. Question on a related topic, though ... how is the work on the Wakefield coming along?

[@scholagladiatoria]

It is now in production and launch with publicly happen soon.

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

@@scholagladiatoria Just send me mine directly, please 😇😆

[@Heresjonnyagain]

Will we need all that paperwork to get one in the UK though :(

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

@@Heresjonnyagain I feel ya. I live in the 'States; overe here, it is slow because of corporations.

[@Heresjonnyagain]

@@johnstuartkeller5244 I’m just worried it’s going to be filed as another illicit ‘curved blade’ and so have sale & import restricted here

[@wompa70]

I love messers. I bought Cold Steel's MAA Messer. While it's very much a modern interpretation, I've enjoyed it.

[@edi9892]

You convinced me: I'd totally buy it! (Just that I got no money to spare)

[@romanista77]

Looks great!!! Can’t wait for the full review! And more messer content please!

[@Kamenriderneo]

12:00 I almost expected Matt to start singing "I like big butts and I cannot lie..."

[@MusMasi]

When I was Flatting somehow we got a kitchen knife that had the brand name Koch Messer on the blade, that thing was hilarious and was the subject of so many jokes at parties. The thought of it, in an angry house wife's hands is terrifying.

[@erichusayn]

DHL. Ordered something from Tod. From the UK, into Canada, then into the US, at my door in less than 7 days.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Shipping out of the UK is no problem - I ship swords all over the world. Getting them into the UK is the tricky bit :-)

[@PalleRasmussen]

DHL Express, 48 hours max, if I recall correctly.

[@donmilleriii7399]

So these blades were . . . FALCHION-ABLE? I will now show myself out.

[@defaultytuser]

👑

[@janedagger]

I"m in love. Love love love. I will name it George and we will live together, forever.

[@RK-dj1ry]

I dig the langmesser. I’d like to make a messer/long machete for camp use and just to have a cool short sword

[@ShagShaggio]

Sitting on that package for 24 hours must've been really uncomfortable. No idea why I love Messers so much but I do. Cheers!

[@whim6287]

Seeing you gush on this makes me want a left handed one for me once I get some funds set aside.

[@perezsantiago25]

Love the look of this weapon, it literally looks like a huge knife!

[@sgtmac46]

“No law against straight swords, yet.” Glad I’m still living in the free world.

[@batteredwarrior]

Are you really? 🤣🤣🤣

[@LDSG_A_Team]

That might be my new favorite one-handed blade of all time, not just my new favorite messer. :)

[@rolandrabier]

The lang messers grips are maybe easier to firmly hold or sturdier than the old swords with thinner central tang

[@gentlemanzackp6591]

VERY NICE! when someone mentions "messer" they assume big cutlass type curved falchion theres so many kinds, dr seuss would write a book about messers. (seriously) Big messer, Short messer, thin messer, fat messer, one(handed) messer, two(handed) messer etc

[@minerwaweasley1008]

Wow, are you going to Poland? Cool! If you are planning a meeting with fans, I will definitely come :D It's nice to hear that my countrymen made such a cool sword, because it is sophisticated and well-made at the same time, it shows.

[@lyooyiylklykyokyklky]

That looks great! How does it compare in the hand against Landsknecht Emporium?

[@scholagladiatoria]

The fit and finish on this is much better. I can't really compare them fairly in the hand, as they are quite different sizes and designs.

[@lyooyiylklykyokyklky]

Fair enough, thanks! I love my Landsknecht, but they certainly have gone for a more rustic feel. Might have to check Krieger out...

[@TheLord0Ice0Wind]

That's a gorgeous blade

[@stormiewutzke4190]

I love that. A nice messer is on my to make list. I have a A2 blade started but I wish I Saw that first.

[@thomasrehbinder7722]

Love it! Wish i could afford one.

[@jasonhare8540]

In Kingdom Come , a game set in medieval Central and Eastern Europe , has loads of those sometimes called Berger swords if that's the right words . Or hunters swords if I'm not mistaken . The game has so many weapons ... If you ever have the time take a stroll through and just take a look at the weapons . I'd be interested to know what you thought

[@defaultytuser]

Yes! KCD really does justice to many of these weapons that have always been overlooked by most games

[@alphaomega1173]

Burgher

[@_malprivate2543]

Can you do a video about the so called "archers' swords" that you sometime see. Basically an arming sword but witha knuckle bow said to be popular wit archers during the 14th and 15th century. Were those a thing or is it a re-enactorism?

[@aasphaltmueller5178]

Accordig to notes on Messers in the Imperial Armory in Vienna, those "Langmessers" were sort of standart issue in Bohemia

[@godzilla5599]

Looking at it I'm curious about the tang on it,it's enclosed in the wood so that makes me a tad nervous especially with all those rivets it has...I like the other company who puts messers out since it's a full tang you can see,of course done right the enclosed tang is fine as well. And before anybody says anything I have a twitch over blade tangs since I had a Windlass Gladius snap on me back in the 90's which I found was a stub tang with a long tail WELDED on so it didn't take much to kill it.

[@Sk0lzky]

Krieger has some fairly unique projects, I've never owned anything from them but I'm looking forward to throwing my money at them (living an hour away from Lodz makes the decision easier too) PS I currently work in Greater Poland tourism and culture, make sure to check out our historical sites, there's plenty to see! ;)

[@silverjohn6037]

I was wondering what the relative merits of a broader blade with a thinner spine like the messer and falchion were compared to swords with narrower blades and thicker spines like the wakizashi and scimitar (the real scimitar not the Hollywood version;).

[@Myomer104]

The thinness of the blade was to enable it to slip through gambeson (layered cloth) armor, which was quite popular at the time. A well-made gambeson could stop other blade designs and even arrows from a longbow.

[@khoatran-pc6tb]

Firstly, a thinner blade has to be broader to be as heavy as a thicker but narrower blade. Secondly, thinner blades can afford to have a much smaller edge angle, meaning less resistance, meaning much more cutting power. But on the flip side, they tend to be less forgiving in terms of edge alignment, not to mention being more fragile

[@Crypt4l]

Interesting, it doesn't clearly fall into the Elmslie Typology. Elmslie didn't categorise drop points which have no false edge or are clipped instead. Are you sure it's historical authentic?

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

Really interesting piece. If it had a false edge it would basically be an upgraded version of the kingfisher "machete". Though i see lots of similarities w/ some english "half basket hangers" particularly the blade shape. Nice scabbard work too btw. I will most definitely have to check out their inventory.

[@keyem4504]

That thing looks amazing. Fell in love immediately. But why are there laws against curved sword but not against straight ones? That sounds silly.

[@davidm1563]

Because “science!” But no in all honesty politicians write laws and have zero real life experience regarding swords and edged weapons so due to the large amounts of stabbing incidents mainly involving street gangs who favour cheap disposable kitchen knifes the government have banned or made it extremely difficult to get a hold of all the “scary looking” weapons and that involves curved blades over a certain length blades with serrations flick knives,daggers etc etc.

[@chemistrykrang8065]

It is silly. The process here pretty much goes like: - A crime happens that gets some public/media attention. - Somebody in politics decides it is politically expedient to "do something" - Everyone involved realises that you can't ban cheap kitchen knives, so they focus on "zombie knives" (no, I don't know either), "samurai swords", "ninja claws" or whatever grabbed a headline recently when some little scumbag used it to rob £60 and a packet of cigarettes by menacing an old lady who runs a post office in Kent. - Nothing changes regarding knife crime but now anybody who legitimately buys, sells, uses, or collects something the new law applies to (for martial arts, practical purposes, historical interest etc) stands around looking baffled and annoyed. - Rinse and repeat every couple of years with no consistency, review, or common sense.

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

Oh come now Matt it isn't a proto-saber, it's a proto-cutlass 😂

[@dogloversrule8476]

When you go to Poland, can you please try to do a video kind of giving a tour of their facilities?

[@bellakaldera3305]

Opinels are great knives. I have 3 of them.

[@michaelgreen170]

I want one!!

[@john_m3619]

I wish more manufacturers would make two handed Kriegsmesser. I think we have enough one handed Messer already

[@Joemonster111]

Definitely agree. Can't find a good looking two handed kriegsmesser anywhere ;(

[@john_m3619]

@@Joemonster111 yeah the only really good one is the Albion Knecht. The ones from Landsknecht emporium are somewhat nice too, their fit and finish is atrocious though.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Saying that we have enough of any type of sword kind of makes me upset though. There are never enough.

[@john_m3619]

@@scholagladiatoria true one can never have enough swords haha. But there is something about two handed Kriegsmesser that really speaks to me.

[@Luciffrit]

Aren't you happy with your Cold Steel option? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@mtgAzim]

Hi Matt! I'm not a fellow practitioner or anything, although I have been a viewer of yours for many years now. I know there's been some discussion whether anecdotal or in the manuals for striking or slapping an opponent with the flat of your blade. But are there any sources of someone purposely using the blunt side of a single edged blade? Perhaps as a slightly less lethal option? I can imagine that would markedly increase the probability of breaking your sword, but that doesn't mean people didn't do it at some point. I mean, people block cuts with their arms if they have no other choice, so nothing is really off limits just because it was suboptimal.

[@Oppetsismiimsitsitc]

8:28 It seems that do like our jargon and specifics far more today than they did back then.

[@Evan-rj9xy]

10:05 Would that just be called an aglet? or is there a more specific word for it?

[@raphlvlogs271]

this is also very similar to that late 15 century English hanger sword once shown on this channel

[@davidbendig961]

might just be that cvirus, but the moment with the scabbard on moving backwards looking to get it in shot my brain was demanding a performance to the tune of "I´m to sexy"...

[@morriganmhor5078]

And once more, Matt: sabres are pre- AD 1000 weapons - look at Avar sabres, please.

[@mysticonthehill]

It actually reminds me of a Chinese butterfly sword. I am sure it feels different but general shape is similar.

[@rogueraven7603]

Probably didn’t want it to sharp for shipping. Some packages come through and you can’t tell if it was in a truck or under it.

[@robertmedina5850]

Beautiful sword Matt beautiful scabbard

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

Cutting test on that bad boy please boss!

[@darrell9546]

The belt seems quite long--might it be worn over one shoulder, then dropping to the scabbard at the side?

[@Mosamania]

How appropriate that this video is up when I just got an email from Landskinect Emporium that my own Messer just shipped.

[@MrSharpClaw]

13:48 a man really enjoying unsheathing his long knife...XD

[@rogerlafrance6355]

Rather like their fittings and leather work. Brass belt ends and such are common grave goods from before the Romans. Looking good at Court.

[@inregionecaecorum]

UPS sucks, I have a package from Spain, that is still in a UPS warehouse in spain getting on for a week after I paid the customs on it.

[@eirin099]

that is fucking beautiful, there is just something special with straight(relatively speaking) PHAT one edged blades

[@Charon-5582]

A real thing of beauty.

[@TheClumsyScout]

I wonder if it would handle well with a Demi-gauntlet?

[@juliahenriques210]

Looking with Hungary eyes at Polish swords? That might be interesting.

[@mikeeasley6670]

Why would you sit on it if it is marked "fragile"?

[@RobG001]

13:46 min before we get to see the blade.!! Must be a blasted record!!

[@docstockandbarrel]

I thought that same thing when I first saw my wife: Look at the distal distal taper on that! Only, I didn’t have so just unrestrained list in voice. 🤣🤣🤣

[@d0r1an06]

I'm surprised they put so many pins through the hilt. I would worry that the wood would be prone to split along that line with so many of them.

[@bigsiege1848]

Sitting down for a 30 minute video on shipping swords into the UK? Yes! Will I ever ship swords into the UK? No.

[@andrewrobinson4019]

As an American, I conquer

[@happy_camper]

Lovely. Very well done!

[@TheMan-je5xq]

6:14 I don’t know why but I laughed my ass off here lol

[@barretharms655]

I hate to say it but so far the only thing I've seen is the sheath and the handle and that is quite a sexy blade I hope the blade itself has been finished to the same standards and is of a pattern that I enjoy if not prefer

[@johannesbrantedal549]

Hello Matt! Do you have any linksto falchions with knucklebows from the 14th century? I have drawn a blank when googlingen them.

[@tommeakin1732]

It's so very, very English to have a word for something (hanger) and proceed to just not use it favour of non-english terms that describe the same thing lol. It took me an embarrassingly long time to find out that hangers were even a sword "category". I ended up going to a museum, being able to identify almost everything in the place, and knowing all of the terminology...apart from this mysterious "hanger" lol

[@420JackG]

I'm sure this thing was called a hanger when it was popular, but today I think hangar usually engenders thoughts of a cutlass used on land. When I hear hangar what immediately comes mind is that 18-19th century constable's cutlass that is now relatively ubiquitous.

[@tommeakin1732]

@@420JackG Tbf I do think it's fair to say that the term hanger has probably fallen out of use because it's sufficiently broad (in both specific definition and the time periods it's been used for) to have lost it's use to modern people who are looking at history. Like the difference between falchions and messers primarily just seems to be construction, and they both refer to quite a specific type of sword. I am not 100% sure, but I believe hanger can be used to cover both. And hanger has been used to describe falchions and later cutlass-like swords (I believe hanger came to be the term for a cutlass used on land, like you said). Also, there's probably an issue with hanger being a much less convenient term to use to search for things online lol. If you search for hangers online, you'll quickly fall into wall-hanger swords, coat hangers (lol) and, curiously, sword scabbards and the like. That has something to do with the term being uncommon, but it's an inherently less unique term than messer and falchion

[@gunterreihnhol6507]

Schöne Reaktion folks..

[@Skenderbeuismyhero]

Good lord, the laws on swords there sound like the gun laws in California. They ban certain "features" or specific firearms by name based on how scared they feel when they see a picture of it I suppose.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yep

[@josephcornwall4619]

I got a question are all swords metal by UK law? As an example; a wooden sword is still just a glorified stick right?

[@larsgottlieb]

Ooh; would you post some images of yourself in that armor, with that sword?

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the review ⚔️

[@Draugadan]

Beautiful blade.

[@barretharms655]

Daughter langmaster sausage they're all the same Blade with a different name because somebody else handled it and I don't mean was playing with it I mean put a handle on it that is the difference right there because the blades were basically shipped all over the world in very specific patterns to be handled when they arrived wherever they went