[Robert N]

hi there

im looking at getting a 15th century Grosse messer made for me and was wondering what is a suitable length for it?

also is it worth getting a knuckle guard with it as I will be useing it both left and right handed?

[M. Eversberg II]

Lengths go from c. 24" to as long as about 30" on the types used by Lecküchner in his treaty on the messer.

The nagel on the side of the sword hand (the flange that hangs off the cross) is very important in the messer; do make sure you have one.

M.

[Nathan Robinson]

I agree that the nagel is an important feature. I must also point out that it makes the hilt asymmetrical and so it won't be usable in the same manner with the left and right hands.