Landsknecht Emporium Gottfried messer review (thick blunt version)

Welcome to this review of Landsknecht Emporium Gottfried messer.

What I was looking for was another steel sparring messer. I have steel messers from other manufacturers. They are good, but they’ve had some issues with edge durability. Making good sparring messers is difficult. If you make a messer that looks and handles the right way, and with edges thick enough to be durable, you may very well end up with a training tool that hits with all of the gentleness of a crowbar. On the other hand, if you make the blade long and thin, the edges can be thick enough to be durable and you can still get plenty of flex in the blade. However, with an overly long and nimble blade, the handling changes and you shouldn’t be surprised when this also changes what techniques make sense in sparring. Getting messer-appropriate handling, safety and durability in the same training tool isn’t easy.

Ordering: I placed the order in late 2019 and arrived within the stated 3 month delivery time, although I believe the delivery time is longer now. Price 270 EUR including VAT, when I ordered. Now in early 2022 the price has gone up a bit but it’s still a good price.

Stats:
Quillion length 140 mm
Blade length 680 mm
Overall length 870 mm
Point of balance 120 mm
Weight 755 grams
Blade width at the base 41 mm
Starting thickness 5 mm
The stated weight is most likely for the sharp version of the messer. What I have here is the thick blunt version which weighs 805g, so 50g more than stated weight.

Type M3C messer. Looks good, although going by just the look I prefer the Günther model with its wider blade (review of the sharp Günther model:    • Review: Landsknecht Emporium Günther ...  ).

In summary: I’m very happy with this messer. It’s been the messer I’ve used the most, since getting it. It looks good, handles well and has stood up well to sparring without any notable damage. It has enough flex to be reasonably safe, although you will still need to exercise control, especially when thrusting. While it has gotten a bit more expensive since I ordered, it’s still a good price. The delivery time is also longer now, but it is worth the wait.