The Dietrich type XIV sword by Landsknecht Emporium is a fantastically agile and nimble arming sword in the hand and is superbly suited for pairing with a shield or buckler for advanced swordplay and technique, especially when one is a student of the I:33 manuscript. Landsknecht took great care in reproducing the weight, dimensions and performance characteristics of a class of medieval swords that served as a ready sidearm, not only for war, but practical self defense in times of peace.
The keenly sharp blade is ground from 51CrV4/6150 spring steel which was heat-treated to 50-52 HrC. The crossguard is ground from mild steel and slid up on the tang in typical fashion for swords with the shoulders of the blade sitting in the crossguard to eliminate any gaps as best as possible, then the bottom of the crossguard is staked towards the tang to add even more security to the joint. The grip is a simple wooden core slid on the tang for a tight fit which is reinforced with epoxy resin. It is tightly wrapped in leather to complete the grip.
The pommel is hollow, as seen on many original swords of this type – a property that helps to keep the overall weight of the sword low while still making a huge visual difference, but only providing the necessary amount of counterweight for this quick and light blade. For this, the pommel is prepared from three pieces of mild steel. The flats are formed into slight domes, and the side of the pommel is drilled, then hand-filed to fit perfectly on the tang. Only after each part is prepared does Landsknecht weld the three pieces together, followed by cleaning up the surfaces and attaching the pommel by hot-peening the tip of the tang for a very strong and lasting assembly.
Pollyanna (verified owner) –
This is really an excellent sword.
The sharp has a fast, zippy little blade. It’s so light that it’s easy to forget that it’s a full sword. The blunt variant will be slightly heavier, but I can imagine it would be a lot of fun for HEMA. I initially assumed (just looking at the pictures) that the XIV in the name referred to its Oakeshott type. It could possibly be a very thin XIV, but a XVI is my best guess having held it in person. Just for anyone curious.
Mine hasn’t been put through any torture tests (and won’t be) so I can’t speak to the overall durability, but it’s solidly built and I believe that it would take some decent punishment before failing completely. I haven’t followed Landsknecht Emporium very closely but they seem to specialize in messers and various single edged curved blades. If this is a first foray into straight bladed, double edged swords, it’s a very good one.
Thdintino (verified owner) –
This is a very light and nicely shaped sword. My example is finished smoothly and has none of the asymmetry or roughness I was prepared for. There is a slight tinkle sound of possibly some flux left behind in the pommel but it is solid. I do wish it had a chape on the scabbard but the leatherwork overall is very fine.
tb2987 (verified owner) –
I’ve had this sword for about three weeks and have used it a few times, and I have to say I was genuinely impressed. Despite its lightweight design, it is extremely sharp and very effective. It cuts exactly where you point it, and I am very happy with how it performs as a functional sword.
The overall quality is excellent. The blade is well made, and the fuller is straight and clean, contributing to both the lightness and structural integrity of the sword. It feels strong and flexible, as it should. The guard is well-fitted with no gaps or misalignment, and everything is straight and properly assembled.
The handle is the only aspect that I found slightly small. I have larger hands, and the historically accurate 3.5-inch grip feels a bit cramped at first. However, I found a comfortable solution by letting my pinky rest on the pommel. This creates enough space between my hand and the guard to prevent discomfort during use.
The included scabbard is a nice addition. The leatherwork is decent, and the overall appearance is quite good. The belt is more decorative than functional, but it complements the sword well. One area for improvement would be the addition of a chape, which would help protect the tip and complete the scabbard more fully. Even so, it remains a well-made and attractive piece.
The finish is also very well done. There is a slight intentional roughness that gives it a real, functional character rather than making it look overly polished or decorative. It feels like a working sword, not a display piece.
Overall, I am very satisfied with this purchase. It is a well-made, highly functional sword with excellent handling, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic arming sword—especially if they appreciate historical accuracy.