#idk how to tag this I just felt Hriob starting to nerd out over historical swordsmanship and blacksmithing and decided to post-

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

“...I think people focus too much on ‘historical weapons’ and argue over things like the Longsword versus the Katana. People need to remember that all weapons, and especially all swords, have their strengths and weaknesses. Its not ‘which is better’ but ‘what is this meant for and how well does it line up with the purposes of this other weapon’. I won’t go into more details on that particular, trite, over-argued comparison, but I will gush a little over the oft-overlooked Germans Lange Messer- the one sword I wouldn’t mind using for myself fairly often if I can’t use my polearm for whatever reason.”

“Despite being known by a few other names, such as the Falchion, the Langes Messer is, honestly, what the name translates it to be: A pointedly Long Knife, even to the point that the handle is two halves of wood bound together to the metal tang much like how culinary knives are handled even to this day with modern sets. It is a slightly curved blade, good for hacking and slicing, but retains a nearly-hooked point to allow thrusting in a pinch. The hilt not only has the basic pair of flanges to protect the hand, but an additional negel or ‘nail’  that is short enough to not get in the way too easily but helps protect the back of the hand when gripping the sword normally.“

“Essentially, its a basic tool not at all unlike the more well-known Machete, filling much the same role, while retaining a few key features of more typical swords to streamline its use. I don’t take them often unless I’m expecting to be ‘camping’ for an extended period or need a physical weapon less obvious or ostentatious than my go-to, but they are my next best pick for several reasons beyond what I’ve hinted at here.”