Review: Messer KARL by Landsknecht Emporium

[@ashtoncarn5803]

Thank you for this review. I've been wanting a Karl messer for a bit now, and couldn't find any other in-depth reviews.

[@die.freifechter]

Glad to be of service :) - Peter

[@user-kl5zd2oe3e]

Yay! I'm not the only one who chose Karl! I was really surprised by its weight and handling. It handles the way people think katanas handle. Mine sings to me everytime I make a cut. She reminds me of being a kid again.

[@die.freifechter]

A am glad you enjoy your Karl so much. It is definitely one that I always bring to class :) - Peter

[@rawr2u190]

Interesting, there are more surviving examples of that blade shape. It's 5b in the Elmslie Typography. I think the Karl looks great in that dark blue. I'm split between getting the Karl and the Krieger M3, and the fact that I can get the Krieger in green is a factor influencing my decision. Whereas my teacher suggested the Karl. Thank you for this review!

[@die.freifechter]

Yes, it is not what we see in the sources, so it does not quite register as a stereotypical Messer the same way, but it is what we have most of I have been told. Both the Karl and the Krieger M3 are fine Messers to work with, but they are quite different beasts. Personally I prefer the Karl (but I do have a bias in that regard that I try to be very open with) because by construction and, for a lack of a better word, "feel". It is more of what I want a Messer to be and the construction is closer to the originals. The Krieger M3 on the other hand is the lighter blade, which can be an advantage on its own. It is a more modern construction, the grip for example it simply a type of cast rubbery plastic (I do not know the actual material). - Peter

[@Maedhros0Bajar]

It looks very similar to my Berbekucz Langmesser (a type 9). The main difference is that my type 9 Berbekucz has a rolled over tip

[@die.freifechter]

Berbekucz pieces are generally much simpler in their make though, especially when it comes to blade geometry and, in case of their Messers especially, hilt construction. That does not mean they are bad, I own and like a number of swords from them, but VB and LE kind of cater to different audiences. - Peter

[@joadams8022]

I've always said that the Gottfried is a great messer, but the Karl is a great sword.

[@Wraste1]

What is the blade hanging in the red scabbard behind you? I have looked through your previous videos and have not been able to find it.

[@die.freifechter]

That one is an abandoned custom under Ádams own brand. When the original buyer bailed, I decided to pick it up after a while. It was ordered as a smaller copy of the wakefield hanger, but without a Nagel or sideguard. I have not yet made a video on it :) - Peter

[@Wraste1]

If you find the time, I look forward to a review or at least an impressions video. Thanks for the reply!

[@die.freifechter]

I am sure it will come sooner or later, but there are other things in the queue first. In the meantime, here is a post by Ádám about it: facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Z3TjpqXWVFuN4WFKGL3yLktZTRLJ7domXHbn9dc1EAXmPWPVn9Gi7hrbqKNjEijUl&id=100077666115061 - Peter

[@keithcotter-reilly]

I own the sharp version of the Karl and it is easily my best cutter. Easily better than some of my Albions. The thing is a scary little sword. Also my favourite trainer I own also for Messer

[@die.freifechter]

Don't make me want a sharp one! - Peter

[@keithcotter-reilly]

@@die.freifechter I mean ... Let's just say I gave it to an expert in Iaido and he wanted one

[@die.freifechter]

*grumble* - Peter

[@thomasheydenreich3184]

So, the short summary especially of the size section is "nice", isn't it? 😉

[@goldentorn1329]

Die Nutzung des Gorgets als Waffenständer ist brilliant

[@die.freifechter]

Manchmal muss man improvisieren :)

[@heirihunziker]

Regarding Karl vs Gottfried, which of the two is better for practicing Lecküchner, especially for performing techniques like Wecker that benefit from a more forward weighted mass distribution?

[@die.freifechter]

That's a good question - I'd say the different blade geometries support certain approaches to fencing a bit differently. While roughly being the same length, I feel Karl encourages the thrust a bit clearer, while Gottfried is more of an allrounder. I personally don't prefer a moe forward weighted mass over another for a wecker, although you need to adjust your fencing to the tool you've got at hand. So my conclusion would be bith are perfectly fine to fence "Lecküchner", Gottfried having a bit morge of a middle ground, while Karl being slightly more thrust-efficient. But that's a completely personal feeling. - Cheers, Ulrik

[@heirihunziker]

@@die.freifechter Thanks for the infos, it sounds like Gottfried might be a slightly preferable choice for my purposes. Forgot to mention that (for technical drilling) my training partner uses a messer which is ca. 300g heavier and almost twice as forward weighted than my current heaviest messer. Everything can be done with it but the margin of error is noticeably smaller for some techniques and/or requires some minor teaks, so I'm looking for a more "oomphy" messer to make our technical trainings a bit more symmetrical. Have handled a Günther and found that one very nice but not ideal for long sessions.

[@danielquest8644]

Can you talk about the backlog? I ordered a sword from them in November and still not started…. I am so excited to get it! I got the Godfried based on your recommendation

[@die.freifechter]

Have you dropped them a message? They are usually pretty responsive. It might be your order got impacted by a problem they had with their steel supplier that they posted about on FB: facebook.com/LandsknechtEmporium/posts/pfbid05qbR4h7hQXBQsejZFaFJp4DigDhKRDLuEAb7jVumv3Tpheimu52bCRVD5xcGnnUFl "Long story short; according to laboratory measurements, the hardness, chemical composition, quality and everything else is fine with the steel- Yet, with much less force than considered to be normal during use, they do not return to straight but suffer significant bents. Re-heat-treating did not solve the problem either. Since these are all blunts, training tools, lacking flexibility renders them unusable. Since the cross sections of our sharp, thin, and thick blunt blades differ significantly, none of these can be repurposed even for third-grade sharps." I know they are doing their best to reduce the backlog this caused them, but it put them behind schedule rather significantly. - Peter

[@drachimera]

Thank you so much! This makes sense! I don’t check FB, but this is very helpful! I would rather wait than get something that’s not up to standard. I am still looking forward to it getting here! YOU ARE THE BEST!