The Adorian Messer from Landsknecht Emporium is based on surviving Messers from Central and Eastern Europe and Landsknecht’s studious attention to detail has created a reproduction that feels ready and able in the hand, a sword that would be the most vicious of opponents in a close-quarters scrum. The sweeping blade slices and cleanly cuts with swift authority and its angled tip is a surprisingly capable thrusting blade. The acute, needle tip is reinforced and the sharpened false edge aids in minimizing drag when puncturing a target. Before the false edge, the blade has a thick spine which imparts excellent durability and rigidity. The blade is crafted from 6150 high carbon steel which is well tempered and finished with a sharp edge.
The guard and pommel are of tough steel and the grip scales are fashioned from well-carved and highly attractive Mahaleb Cherry hardwood which is cleanly polished. The grip scales are dual-riveted to a very thick blade tang and the tang itself is also peened over the pommel. The protective Nagel goes through the crossguard and is peened on the reverse to ensure it can absorb a hard-hitting blow without failure. In addition to this the crossguard is peened to the blade shoulder to minimize the chance of the guard loosening or shifting in use. Altogether, this sword is robustly constructed and built to last.
Included with the sword is a Halftan leather sheath with skillfully handworked embossing design on a single side with a hand-stitched back seam. Landsknecht Emporium’s research into more historically accurate leather sheaths and their construction led them to using a “Half Tan” method for sheath making to get the properties needed for an excellent leather sheath that was particularly robust. “Half Tan” means that the tanning chemicals don’t fully penetrate the hide – This process means that the grain and flesh side become vegetable-tanned leather whilst the middle and back remain rawhide. It opens up a variety of possibilities, including deeper and crisper embossing and much more resilience during sewing. Due to the rawhide middle its nearly impossible to tense the threat so much that it tears out a hole. When dry, this type of leather becomes highly resistant to cuts to create a particularly tough, lasting and durable sheath.
Landsknecht Emporium products aim to have the aesthetics of historical pieces, not the finish of mass-produced items. Each product bears the signs of its making; small tool marks and imperfections, which do not affect the build quality or usability but give each of our pieces its unique character.
Brandon Jenkins (verified owner) –
This blade is FAST, NIMBLE, AND CUTS WITH AUTHORITY. It had the hand made feel and esthetics of all of the L.E. products but the Adorian feels like it shines within that niche. It’s solid, doesn’t have much flex at all, robustly built, is responsive, deadly pointy, like scary pointy, and sings through its cuts. The sheath is beautiful but interesting. It is solid and stiff but thin and light. I almost want to alike it to that of a fish skeleton if that makes any sense. The stitching on the back is well done but when you slide the blade in you can see the sheath widen ever so slightly and make out the metal and steel shining through the stitches. It’s not bad but it’s visible so I guess that opens up the smallest sliver of that part on the sword to be exposed to the elements even while in the sheath. But it’s beautifully done. It feels and looks like something a wood elf would have with the floral design embossed into the leather. I could keep going on about how much I love this sword so far but it would get redundant. It good sword.
Brandon Jenkins (verified owner) –
This thing is beautiful. Definitely holds the same hand crafted, human touch, organic feeling as all of L.E.’s stuff but this one just feels like a work of art. It’s fast and agile, solid and robust, light and quick, cuts and chops and handles like a dream. The handle feels amazing with the center groove and has a narrower, thinner profile that makes it feel easy to grip and throw around comfortably and securely. The blade is stiff which was surprising for how slender it is. The point is scary pointy. Extremely pointy. It points very well. But it does seem very acute that I wonder what it would take for the tip to bend. The sheath is unique. The feel of it is stiff and hard, rigid, but thin and light. So it almost feels like that of a fish skeleton if that makes any sense. The stitching on the back is well done but when the blade sits in the sheath you can see the space between the leather and make out the metal and shine of the blade between the gap so that does pose the possibility for that part of the blade to be exposed to the elements while sheathed. It’s not much but noticed. The floral embossed side is beautiful and elegant. Makes me think of something a wood elf would carry. I love it. It’s construction is all secure and solid. It handles fast and agile. The blade feels robust enough to take a hammering and be abused. Good sword. Much good.
Wolfgang Schrenk (verified owner) –
Just got the Adorian today and now i get the name, you just have to adore it :-)!
This is a real practical sword/messer with some rough edges, if you prefer a clinical clean look like you get with Albions you may be disapointed by the clearly visible toolmarks (mainly at the hilt)…
For me this is a sign that a real human worked on this item and that it does not seem like it came straight out of a 3D-printer.
The blade is spotless and has a great edge that really needs no sharpening.
The handling is superb no matter if you make sweeping cuts, drawcuts or stabs (the tip is in line with the grip).
Glad to have bought this one!!