Messer is simply German for knife, and that is the joke that made the weapon possible: a large single-edged blade built with knife construction rather than sword construction.Knife by constructionInstead of a tang running through the grip, the messer has a flat plate tang with slabs riveted either side, exactly like a kitchen knife. It usually carries a nagel, a steel nail or lug projecting from the guard to shield the knuckles. The grosse messer is one-handed; the kriegsmesser is the two-handed war version.Ours are hand-forged from high-carbon steel with riveted wood scales.Please check your local law before ordering.