[Ventura Ancheta]

Hello,

I'm new to this board. I signed up last week and began lurking around. This a great forum. I've already learned a lot. I was deciding on a sword to purchase from Albion and from what I read and saw here I decided to buy the Soldat Grosse Messer.

I just got it today. I was surprised at how light it is. I got the package early this morning. Nice big box, but whoops it's superlight. It felt like there was nothing in it. It was neatly packaged inside. Awesome blade. If feels fast in the hands. I haven't had a chance to really play with it.

About me.

I practice and teach Filipino martial arts in Long Beach California. I'm a long time student of martial arts in general and have also studied Chinese and Japanese blade methods. I'm simply researching the European blade methods for comparative analysis. I hope to learn more from everyone in here. Thanks.

[B. Stark]

Yeah, the Soldat is a nasty little bugger. I remember playing around with some of the proto's at Albion. Granted, no hilt but still you could tell just how devestating it would be. Should mate up well with Phillipino influenced sword and knife fighting.

[David Sutton]

Welcome aboard Ventura! I'm pretty new to this forum too and you're right this is a great forum. Great choice with the new Albion, they make just about the best swords short of going to a custom maker. I recently purchased an Albion Squire Line 13th Century Knightly Sword, which is fantastic, and I'm saving for a Next Gen ASAP. Messers aren't really my area of interest (I didn't know what they were until I found this site) but there is such an amount of info on here that whatever your interests I'm sure you will be well satisfied.