Messer Type 5a+ by L Driggers (fallen)
Apr 9, 2019 15:13:44 GMT
Post by pellius on Apr 9, 2019 15:13:44 GMT
Elmslie Type 5a+ Messer by Lyndle Driggers of J&L Custom Cutlery / L Driggers (fallen)
Profile
Introduction
As per usual, I acknowledge that I tend to ramble on, so I’ll begin with the TLDR:
This is a high quality, remarkably affordable, high performance, hand-made messer that’s really got it where it counts. I really like this thing. A lot.
Okay. On to the TL, starting with a disclaimer.
I should clarify something right off the bat. I have had the pleasure of communicating and dealing with L Driggers (fallen) - Lyndle Driggers of J&L Custom Cutlery - a number of times in the past. However, it has always been via the internet regarding his professional services or semi-related courteous small talk. I respectfully refer to him as “Lyn” in this review because it reads easier. Constantly writing “L Driggers (fallen)” just seems cumbersome. Nothing should be inferred from my informality.
Likewise, I have communicated with James Elsmlie a number of times via social media and the like. He is friendly, patient, and exceedingly generous with his time and expertise. Nonetheless, we aren’t old buddies or anything. Similar to Lyn, I respectfully refer to him as “James” in this review simply because “Mr. Elmslie” seems a bit too formal for this format.
If Lyn, James, or anyone else feels this is inappropriate, know that I intend no disrespect, and I’m willing to edit the review.
The Origin Story
Glamour Shot
Before I acquired this sword, I already owned five pieces by Lyn, including a sweet Type 1a Falchion. At the time, I had recently commissioned Lyn to make me a Type 3b falchion, and was waiting patiently in his build que.
During that time, Lyn continued to post photos of his various commissioned works as he completed them and shipped them out. Among them was this particular messer. I must admit I thought it looked fantastic. It just kinda grabbed me. The SBG and FB crowd seemed to agree. I immediately contacted Lyn to request to change my commission to one of these. Ugh.. I was THAT guy. Lyn very kindly agreed to the change. Yesssss!!!
A few days later, the person that commissioned this particular messer put it up for sale. He had only had it for a day. Now, I’m not about to celebrate someone’s difficult circumstances or disappointing situation. Suffice it to say I bought it immediately, with respect, at his full asking price. While I really like this sword, and am very happy to have it, I do not want to seem to gloat or anything.
Price
Lyn respects budgetary constraints, and offers various add-ons and upgrades. So price can vary a bit. However, his work is always well researched, finely hand-crafted, and very reasonably priced. I bought this particular sword “used” at a modest discount from the SBG Classifieds. The ad is probably still there if you want to dig it up.
Historical Overview
I eagerly await the completion and publication of James Elmslie’s pioneering research on the messer and closely related falchion. I very selfishly hope that the book(s) is inexpensive enough for non-scholars and non-dealers to afford. If so, it will be the first scholarly sword publication I purchase. Again, James is very generous with his knowledge and expertise, and patient with beginner enthusiasts. From various social media posts, I gather Lyn consulted with James in making a number of his falchions and messers. Maybe even this one.
All that said, my current knowledge of the history of the messer is based on random snippets gathered informally from the internet, including the likes of Wikipedia. So, you know, I’m not an expert in the way that a Honda Civic isn’t a race car. As always, information and correction is warmly invited.
Best I can tell, the one-hand messer was primarily a civilian side arm used in Europe from the 14th to the 16th Centuries. That’s a pretty big time window, and I suspect the design of the messer evolved throughout that period. James has created a typology for messer (and falchion) blades and other details that track these changes, but I do not know how the various types fit into the progression of time. My particular example would be classified as an Elmslie Type 5a+.
www.elmslie.co.uk/index.php
myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.33497.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messer_(weapon)
Full Disclosure
As you might have gathered, I am a big fan of Lyn’s work. Also, Lyn seems to be a pretty decent guy himself. All that said, I bought this sword and my other J&L items on the open market. I have only commissioned one sword at full price (which is pending). The rest I bought discounted as either used, blemished, or the like.
Not to get all mushy, but it is my opinion that Lyn’s work is very good. For the most part, he seems to try to stick with historical designs within historical parameters. His pieces are hand built to a very high standard of quality and integrity. They are not CNC machine perfect, but rather carefully hand crafted. Lyn’s work is one of the best values I know of.
Having said all that, I have no stake in Lyn’s business. I paid my own money for all the J&L items I own. He has not endorsed or compensated me in any way for this review. (But how cool would that be!)
Initial Impressions
Hilt and Forte, Spine and Tang
Upon unpacking and dry handling this messer, I was very impressed. It looked at least as good in person as it did in photos. The lines were elegant; the proportions pleasing. The fit and finish were good, with tight tolerances.
The sword moved with authority and presence, but was very manageable and easy to recover. It wasn’t a fencing sword, but it was pretty fast. It felt vicious in the cut.
The blade had just the right amount of flexibility, and gave a beautiful ring when struck. It was shaving sharp - I just had to check.
I was very impressed.
Statistics
These measurements were taken with a simple measuring tape. They are Mopar approximate, not NASA precise.
Blade
1075 (high carbon) steel; thru hardened, spring temper; shaving sharp
Point of Balance: 2 3/8”
Center of Percussion: roughly at the fuller termination
Length: 27”
Fuller Termination: 8 1/4” from tip; uniform and symmetrical on both sides
Foible and Fuller Termination
Height: 1 1/2” spine to edge
Width: 1/4” at guard
3/16” one inch from the guard
3/16” at point of balance
1/8” at fuller termination
1/16” at foible just before secondary bevel to tip
Spine at Foible
Pommel
Length: 2 9/16” at its longest
Height: 1 9/16” at its tallest
Width: 11/16”
The bevels are crafted to give the pommel a uniform and symmetrical tapered appearance
Pommel Bevels
Grip
Cherry scales secured with two hollow pins and epoxy
Length: 4 1/4”
Width: 1 1/8” at its widest
Tang Width: 1/4”
Height: 1”
Grip
Overall
Overall Guard Width: 9”
Overall Sword Length: 34 9/16”
Overall Weight: 2 1/2 pounds
Components
The Blade
I believe that this would be classified an Elmslie Type “+” blade, indicating mild positive curvature, with the tip above the line of the spine.
Foible and Fuller Termination
It might possibly be considered a “++” since James has previously stated that a “+” blade is one with the point in line with the spine, and a neutral (“0” or no +/- designation) point is in line with the center of the blade (see the April 2016 MyArmory link above).
However, any messer or falchion I have seen discussed was considered to have a negative/forward curvature (“-”) if the point was below the line of the spine. Shad Brooks of Shadiversity, in discussing the Elmslie Typology, indicated that the 0/neutral designation is for blades with no curvature and a point in line with the line of the spine. If so, my sword would indeed have a “+” blade.
www.deviantart.com/shad-brooks/art/Elmslie-Typology-of-single-edged-medieval-swords-629294615
James may have modified his typology over the years, but I don’t really know.
The blade features a strong distal taper that is slightly but purposefully nonlinear. It was difficult to capture in photos (with a phone camera and standard indoor lighting), but there is a perceptible fast taper just below the guard, then a uniform taper to the tip.
Hilt and Plunge; Nagel Peen
The blade has a full flat grind with a uniform lenticular secondary bevel. The sides of the blade taper to the edge and to the tip in flat, uniform, symmetrical planes. Very impressive.
Lenticular Secondary Bevel
Again, it is super sharp, from the tip all the way to the guard.
It has a nice enough polish, but clearly is intended for use rather than reflection.
The fullers are uniform on each side in their dimensions and placement. They run true for their entire length. The terminations are not perfect, and indicate the hand crafted nature of the blade.
The Handle
The Hilt is constructed in the historical “large knife” method, with a true full tang and pinned grip scales. It is quite comfortable, and very attractive to behold. The grip feels secure and confident in the hand.
The height and width of the grip feels appropriate to my average size hands, and is long enough to accommodate pretty much any single hand grip you like. The hilt’s overall length even permits a hand-and-a-half type grip if you are so inclined.
The rounded and bulged rectangular shape clearly communicates edge alignment.
Hilt
The scales meet the pommel, tang, and guard pretty much perfectly, with no gaps. The front of the scales protrude slightly beyond the tang, but given the precision of the rest of the hilt and the uniformity and symmetry of this, I suspect Lyn intended this result.
Hilt and Nagel Peen
The Guard
Lyn splurged a bit here. The curved and curled quillions are, to me, perfect in proportion and form. Along with the cherry grip scales and the carefully shaped pommel, the guard really makes the sword “pop” visually without resorting to gimmicks or decorations unbefitting the sword’s serious purpose.
Front Quillion
The guard is very tight to the blade, and is pinned by the nagel. There is a small gap at the blade which, again judging from the otherwise very tight tolerances, seems intentional.
Guard
The nagel is obviously hand made. It is very uniform in its proportions and curving intersecting planes. It is very attractive. It is a bit on the fancy side, nicely harmonizing with the quillions.
Nagel
The nagel fullers appear to be hand cut, which I strongly prefer. It is mounted slightly off center, which again seems intentional.
Nagel Channels at Guard
The only very minor nitpick I can find is a very slight gap between one corner of the base of the nagel and the guard. The gap is too narrow to fit a fingernail in. Nonetheless, the assembly is super tight, and the nagel peen is a near-invisible work of art in itself.
Rear Quillion and Nagel at Guard
The Pommel
The pommel is subtle but carefully crafted, and serves to visually support the somewhat flamboyant guard and nagel.
It is solid, and expertly peened in place.
Pommel Peen
The bevels are artfully cut to move in two planes, giving a tapered finished appearance. All the bevels are uniform and symmetrical, again testifying to the care and skill Lyn put into this piece.
The Scabbard
The sword was sold without a scabbard. It is deserving of a purpose built matching scabbard, which I may eventually commission.
Handling Characteristics
This sword feels fast and confident, with a powerful cut. It is not really appropriate for niuweidao maneuvers due to the size of the guard. Also, the outward-curled front quillion can get caught on your clothing in a thrust from a low guard.
However, it seems to respond eagerly to a cut with fajin/kinetic linking. Recovery is better than the stationary feel would imply. I would guess this is due to the substantial mass of the hilt, and the long(ish) quillions with a bit of added weight at the distal ends. The solid pommel and dense wood grips likely add to the rotational inertia. The long meaty hilt permits a number of grips, and accommodates putting a lot of energy into the sword.
It may not be a fencing sword, but it is faster, more maneuverable, and more precise than it appears.
Test Cutting
I have not cut anything with this sword. I feel confident it would cut like a laser sword thru a Sith's wrist joint.
Conclusions
Guard, Nagel and Plunge
This is a truly fantastic sword, especially for the price. I would absolutely recommend buying a sword from Lyn. Indeed, at the time of writing this review, I’m eagerly awaiting another 5a+ sister sword that I commissioned from Lyn. So, yeah. Get one if you have the chance.
Pros
This is a sword that would be a faithful companion in the rough-and-tumble wilderness of human civilization. It is a general practitioner, prepared to take all challengers.
Excellent materials
Very close tolerances
Expertly heat treated and tempered blade
Excellent blade geometry
Beautiful aesthetic crafted to reasonably historical dimensions
Good handling; light weight
Super sharp
Excellent value
A close examination reveals that this is a hand made sword. The fullers are nice and straight, but the terminations are not perfect. It is not perfectly symmetrical in all regards. Yet the various surfaces meet up almost perfectly, and the peens are nearly invisible. I consider this a very strong “pro,” but others may disagree.
Cons
What can I say? If you expect CNC machine uniformity, then a hand-made sword probably isn’t for you. That’s fine. For me, it is very hard to find any “con” to this sword. It isn’t super fancy. It is dignified and businesslike, but not ornate. It’s a sword meant to be used, and admired for its overall aesthetic and performance.
The Bottom Line
No surprise here. I strongly recommend commissioning Lyn to craft your hand-made sword.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.