I have found their sabres to be fantastic. Despite little maintenance and hard play, it doesn't rust much, chip or rattle. The guard edges are made thicker to take impact. The blade tapers off making the tip more nimble and controllable for thrusts. Bends great and comes back true. The only thing I had concerns on was the grip and how slick it could be with some gloves but after I got used to it I didn't have a problem. The blade is peened but I haven't had a problem with that so far. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first got mine but it has since become by go to.
I just got my S6 saber. The handling is absolutely amazing, especially if you aren't particularly strong. I always felt like I was fighting against the sword when using the Easton. The S6 is only 50g lighter than the Easton but feels so much more agile and controllable. My biggest criticism is its durability. I noticed a few dents on both the false edge and the edge of the cup after a single light sparring session. The dents weren't deep but they had sharp edges. This makes me think that they might not be suitable for heavy sparring against heavier sabers. But luckily, I only do saber casually and I don't expect to do any heavy sparring with it.
Damn... I have on of their rapiers coming but I was a bit worried about it as I couldn't find a review... Maybe there's sill time for them to tweak it. I'm very keen for my messer though, I got the M4 with the knuckle bow but asked them to round it like their Rauber sharp. Thanks for the review Dave.
@@LondonLongsword Thanks for letting me know, I've asked for that model now! I also inquired about the smallswords and they told me their really meant to be an early French foil. I don't know how such a blade handles but I'm assuming the flex is more reasonable in that context. They plan to change the name in their catalogue to be less missleading. I also suggested maybe lashing the leather guard to the rings to avoid blade passthroughs.
I think the messer blade on the sabre hilt would make an interesting dussack simulator... Speaking of, what's going on with the black looking dussack behind you?
Your opinion of the messer may differ from Oskar's because it's a different model. He made a review on the M1, I think that might be the M3 (the M1's successor with a different blade and grip design).
@@dexterbelmain589 unfortunately I haven't handled the new model, but it would appear most of the issues I had with it were addressed. I'm curious to find out if it resulted in an improved product!
@@TheSinisterSwordsman I recently picked up Black Armoury's No1 messer. I think it's a rebranded VB Swords messer. It's rather heavy compared to the Krieger but it feels lovely in the hand. Anyway, it was in a Black Friday sale 😀
The F1 feder has a 30cm long handle (including the pommel), which is quite average for a 95cm blade feder. SIGI and Ensifer swords with the same blade length, for example, have handles at 29 and 31cm, respectively. You can't really call it short. So, is the problem you're feeling more in the weight distribution?
Thanks Dave. I plan to buy some sharps from them for me & my wife and I was wondering about their sparring swords like the messer. I like VB's work, and Purpleheart Armory is in CONUS but the messer from Krieger looks better. Have you used their sharps? If so do you have any opinions?
Can we please talk about how enormous the hilts of rapiers are? They are way too big for Italian sources and totally unusable for Destreza. Even rapiers sold specifically for Destreza have giant hilts and pommels and are totally wrong. It looks like you could swing that rapier two handed.
Really useful review, Dave, thanks!
I have found their sabres to be fantastic. Despite little maintenance and hard play, it doesn't rust much, chip or rattle. The guard edges are made thicker to take impact. The blade tapers off making the tip more nimble and controllable for thrusts. Bends great and comes back true. The only thing I had concerns on was the grip and how slick it could be with some gloves but after I got used to it I didn't have a problem. The blade is peened but I haven't had a problem with that so far. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first got mine but it has since become by go to.
I just got my S6 saber. The handling is absolutely amazing, especially if you aren't particularly strong. I always felt like I was fighting against the sword when using the Easton. The S6 is only 50g lighter than the Easton but feels so much more agile and controllable.
My biggest criticism is its durability. I noticed a few dents on both the false edge and the edge of the cup after a single light sparring session. The dents weren't deep but they had sharp edges. This makes me think that they might not be suitable for heavy sparring against heavier sabers. But luckily, I only do saber casually and I don't expect to do any heavy sparring with it.
Damn... I have on of their rapiers coming but I was a bit worried about it as I couldn't find a review...
Maybe there's sill time for them to tweak it.
I'm very keen for my messer though, I got the M4 with the knuckle bow but asked them to round it like their Rauber sharp.
Thanks for the review Dave.
They tell me they have made a 10cm shorter blade for cut and thrust. Pretty eager to try it:)
@@LondonLongsword Thanks for letting me know, I've asked for that model now!
I also inquired about the smallswords and they told me their really meant to be an early French foil. I don't know how such a blade handles but I'm assuming the flex is more reasonable in that context. They plan to change the name in their catalogue to be less missleading. I also suggested maybe lashing the leather guard to the rings to avoid blade passthroughs.
I think the messer blade on the sabre hilt would make an interesting dussack simulator... Speaking of, what's going on with the black looking dussack behind you?
Bet you could ask Kreiger and they might do it.
@@jewishswordsman9199 I have plans more terrible than that for Krieger and their messer. Dark, unnatural plans.
@@joadams8022 well don't forget to buy two so you can keep Kosher.
Hey Jo, that dussack is the Pandaemonia by Balefire Blades, and is reviewed in detail by Dave here: ua-cam.com/video/hUga5SgoPXY/v-deo.html
Your opinion of the messer may differ from Oskar's because it's a different model. He made a review on the M1, I think that might be the M3 (the M1's successor with a different blade and grip design).
I actually just made a review of the previous model this morning! I think it just finished uploading
Saw it this morning. Yours is a slightly older model, I think. How would you compare the two?
@@dexterbelmain589 unfortunately I haven't handled the new model, but it would appear most of the issues I had with it were addressed. I'm curious to find out if it resulted in an improved product!
@@TheSinisterSwordsman I recently picked up Black Armoury's No1 messer. I think it's a rebranded VB Swords messer. It's rather heavy compared to the Krieger but it feels lovely in the hand. Anyway, it was in a Black Friday sale 😀
@@dexterbelmain589 ah yes. I've handled black armory and I'm fairly certain it's VB as well.
The F1 feder has a 30cm long handle (including the pommel), which is quite average for a 95cm blade feder. SIGI and Ensifer swords with the same blade length, for example, have handles at 29 and 31cm, respectively. You can't really call it short. So, is the problem you're feeling more in the weight distribution?
When you mentioned the comparison to the knife-hilts, I knew immediately what you meant...
😄
Thanks Dave. I plan to buy some sharps from them for me & my wife and I was wondering about their sparring swords like the messer. I like VB's work, and Purpleheart Armory is in CONUS but the messer from Krieger looks better.
Have you used their sharps? If so do you have any opinions?
I appreciate this! I was just about to order their rapier/main gauche set. I wont if its still too wobbly. Have they listened?
If the F1 isn't your favorite federschwert, may I ask what is?
Very cool.
Interesting review, I am actually curious about what your favourite sparring longsword is now 🤔
🙃
Americans demand shitty floppy 'safe' blades...
Can we please talk about how enormous the hilts of rapiers are? They are way too big for Italian sources and totally unusable for Destreza. Even rapiers sold specifically for Destreza have giant hilts and pommels and are totally wrong. It looks like you could swing that rapier two handed.