Thanks again for another great review! As usual, we'd like to address some things you mentioned, to make the picture a bit more whole :) As said in the review, we used filler material between the pommel, the wood, and the shoulders of the blade. Filler materials like tar pitch, natural resins, etc. are present on many historical pieces. In many cases, perfect fitting of the parts is almost impossible since the repeated partial assemblies required for making exact fits (without using CNC machines and other high precision industrial tools) would significantly wear down the parts. This would cause fitting imperfections in other surfaces, which then would have to be addressed as well. Another reason for us to use some filler material is, that while in historical pieces the filler is only used to hide the imperfections, modern material gives us the opportunity to add some extra strength and durability with them. We use an epoxy resin mixed with a large amount of ferric oxide. This is a reasonably strong filler material even for blunt blades which fills the gaps and at the same time acts as a high-strength adhesive between the parts. The twisted decoration of the crossguard is an interesting topic. On original pieces this type of decoration is mostly made with filing; no matter if we're talking about crossguards, armor parts, or other decoration. There are examples of the twisted decoration achieved by forging, but it's rather rare, to be honest. We also used filing for these pieces, as it felt more historical. There's no big difference in labor time between the two methods, but it is significantly easier to achieve a more unified arch. The discoloration on the finials (the end pieces of the crossguard) and on the copper parts of the scabbard are signs of soldering. By polishing up the soldered surfaces, the difference between the copper parts and the solder is almost invisible, of course, oxidation quickly reveals the different materials used. Soldering with lead and other soft metals is used quite often on pieces with complex decorations, and practically in each instance when the finials are hollow - just like on this Katzbalger. The gap between the finials and the ends of the crossguard is also caused by the fact that the finials are hollow; it would be quite difficult to achieve a perfect fit without smashing the finials :) While making the scabbard, and especially the slots for the byknives, it was important to keep in mind, that Ian will carry this scabbard a lot. The slots are very snug exactly for this reason; it would be a shame to lose either of the byknives or anyone to be injured by them accidentally (intentional injuries..well..that's another topic...:D) And now face the big question we get a lot from customers; why don't we have any katzbalgers in our standard product line? Our goal is not just to make a sword, that has the visual definition of a katzbalger, with some typical design elements, like the S-shaped crossguard. We'd like to create a sword, which feels and handles like an original piece. That's even harder if you consider, that many would like to use katzbalgers for sparring, some even for tournament use. For this, the sword has to meet another set of requirements. In addition, some of these go absolutely against the requirements of a sharp blade. It's fair to ask the question; if we can make this work with messers, why are we unable to design a katzbalger? While from messers we have a quite large selection of data from original pieces in a rather large time period to work from, sadly, there are just a handful of original katzbalgers available for data collection. Many of the widely known katzbalgers bear marks that raises some red flags about their authenticity, to complicate matters a bit more.We make custom pieces with a tremendous amount of extra research and trial and error during production, but they're either reproductions of original pieces or a combination of elements from multiple originals. Production processes used for making these custom commissions translate very poorly to standardized production, which would result in outrageous prices, simply unacceptable for us.

@Erebus.666.

2 жыл бұрын

Some good responses to the points he made. I don't think he is negatively critical about the piece, just pointing issues out. I personally think it is an absolutely beautiful sword, and all the imperfections add to the beauty. More like the originals. Who wants a nanometre perfect, soulless thing made by machine? Beautiful job guys, just wish I could afford it...

@landsknechtemporium6616

2 жыл бұрын

@@Erebus.666. We have absolutely zero negative feelings against Matt, the points he made in the review are 100% fair :) We just like to give some explanation for the flaws of our pieces so it is a bit easier to understand the causes. We hope you'll be able to raise some funds later on and looking forward for an order from you :)

The sword looks gorgeous and has a very distinct character. Love the fuller design.

I like the looks of that one and the dynamic properties look like they make for an excellent handling sword. Extra knives are a nice touch too. Great review as always.

Great review as always. Regarding the cross section, it looks to me like it's lenticular, which was typical for earlier Medieval swords - Oakeshott types X through XIV all typically had that cross section. Lenticular blades are usually more flexible than later Medieval swords and are more cut-focused. As for katzbalger replicas that are available, there's not many, but Kingston Arms does have one in the budget range, and Arms & Armor has one in their typical (definitely non-budget) price range. I'll be reviewing the Kingston Arms one on my channel sometime in the next few months.

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to it.

The one thing that stood out to me was your mention of the hilt being a bit thin. That seems to be typical of their swords. I have a messer from them, and it too has some of those "hand made" flaws, which I don't mind at all. But the hilt is small. Too small for me, so I've wrapped mine with some leather, which solves the issue. Though I did pay extra for pear wood, which you can no longer see. And in my opinion isn't worth the extra money anyway. Just get their basic handle. But I enjoy the sword quite a bit.

I normally cant stand the look of the katzbalgers figure 8 shaped guard but w/ the S quillon it looks a lot better. I like it.

Great review Matt..So found you havee good videos on Landsknecht. Comparing if Landsknecht is better than zombie tools or not.. Dancing Sax agreed with me that Albion os best. Although I said #2 woukd be Zombie Tools..I may be wrong with that. So good you have info..and review of Boss of Emporium...Im Fine being only 50% wrong. ..Is good to have friendly debate with guys on channel..I learn more..Really like your reviews.. I learn and relax.. Your good man ..😎

awesome sword,i love it

Ya'll gotta see the one Kult of Athena has on their website!

Hello, what is the best katana for the money that you have reviewed? As far as best cutting to price ratio.

Cool blade! I might need to start saving up for a LE piece, as I really like the hand-made aesthetic. On an unrelated note, how do feel about Ko-katanas in general?

Wow, these fullers!! What an awesome sword and a nice scabbard. I have to say, as a native speaker, a Katzbalger for me needs to be made for the very close range infight (Katz=cat, balgen=fighting, wrestling. Balg could be the skin of that cat but is still used for naugthy kids when they are beating the crap out of eachother). So, I guess, there is a reason for the usualy short lenght, the eight shaped cross and the round tip. I get that outside of germany the term is used more generous, but I wouldn´t call this sword a Katzbalger even though we see depictions of Landsknechte carrying similar swords.

@adambodorics2903

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, Adam here. Thanks for the kind words! Definitions are quite tricky, because we are forcing a very modern need of categorizing everything on items where the original makers didn't give a damn. That being said, our reasoning for calling this a Katzbalger (we ourselves refer to it as a proto-Katzbalger, but it's maybe a bit too convoluted in everyday talk) is that it fits into a pretty straightforward development trend starting in the late 15th century. The cross is definitely more curved than "normal" type12 crosses, is very distinct from the other S or figure 8 crossed sidearm, the schiavonesca, and the pommel & grip shape already foreshadow the Golden Age archetypal form. I also agree with your definition/translation of the name, that "cat skin" idiocy must die in a fire... but I sorta disagree with your assessment of very close range fighting. Even a slightly longer blade than this would be still "short" in comparison to several sideswords and protorapiers of the period on one hand, and on the other, the style of use might also be the reason behind the name. The manuscripts detail a lot of possible approaches, and you can get supremely nasty even with a full-sized longsword if your go-to move is rushing in to wrestling range, using the weapon as a cover first, then as a lever with sharp edges once in your preferred range. I personally like this approach, and when I do manage to safely close the distance against an opponent who also know how to fight close in, it develops/deteriorates into a pretty vicious affair with joint locks, foot-stomping, groin-kneeing and headbutting (the latter looks quite idiotic in fencing masks...) to gain a bit of an advantage for a decisive move, even if that decisive move is a short-ish slice that FINALLY connects properly in the tussle. In such a context, even a blade that's only shorter with a couple of centimeters can mean a more convenient disengage, but a too-short blade might severely hamper your chances of closing the distance. Hope this ramble made any sense...

@henninghesse9910

2 жыл бұрын

@@adambodorics2903 Hi Adam, thank you for your kind, exentensive and well put answer. After seeing Matt´s interview with you guys, I have to say I am a fanboy of LE works (I would only disagree on the use of Epoxy, people will cut some pool noodles and tatami, so why bother. A good pressfit with some brass or copper spacers would work just fine). I absolutly agree on your take on medival, early ren. aestethics; all these cnc machined replicas look like modern fakes to me, and a lot of the historical blades I was able to see in japan often share those same imperfect/handmade looks of your work. And I would like to back you on the mannerism: please go full Dresden/Wien all along. I am absolutly no expert in europeon or japanese blades, my ideas on Katzbalger are not backed by any academical or sportive research, so I might be completly wrong. I just try to emagine the picture of two cats really going for it. So this rounded tip (like a double kissaki) together with a shortsword blade, would make a formidable slashing/cutting (with a bit of staby,staby) sidearm in such a fight, that someone carrying around a big polearm all day long and facing dudes doing the same in fancy pyjamas (and admitedly sometimes with armour) would appreciate. And as I recall, there are as many sources on the Katzbalger as there are on the Schlachtschwert, or am I missing the point? Anyway, please keep up the good work! Cheers!

Beautiful sword, a bit costly but it does feel well made.

@bastianwirth5179

2 жыл бұрын

There are plenty pieces MUCH cheaper on the internet. About 500€ for High Quality Swords from established blacksmiths here in Germany :)

DSA Baron review coming???

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. I have not started it yet but it will happen.

Don't know I really like the "human look" to it for that homemade look...price would attribute to historic replica, and paying for a one of a kind piece, at 1400.00 rather shop for something prettier made

This is funny but that thing is eww nope for me

@joemummerth8340

2 жыл бұрын

there are so many things wrong with it , the proportions are off , and that grip is a tad long and not thick enough , would not be a comfortable weapon to use ! could have been a lot nicer if it had been done properly , the price for what you get is about $1,000 to high ! even museum replicas does a more accurate katzbalger !