Ensifer Kron Feder -HEMA Review

HEMA Review Criteria

Before we dive in I wanted to make it clear that Kult of Athena provided this sword for the purpose of reviewing and if you like what you see there will be an affiliate link above.

Now let's go over the key factors I'll be considering in this review:

Fit and Finish: What materials are used, and how well is it put together?

Handling: Balance, weight, and overall feel in the hand.

Durability: How well will this sword hold up to regular HEMA training?

Safety: Does the sword have proper blunt edges and a safe tip for sparring?

Value: Is the price point reasonable for the quality and features offered?

Fit and Finish - 10

The Ensifer’s Kron Feder... it is a gorgeously hand crafted feder, This sword is additional through subtraction, clean smooth lines and a hollow grind the length of the blade. Beautiful faceted pommel that is peened, hell the cross guard is also faceted. 

The blade features a 37 3/8" inch (95 cm) blade and a 9 inch (23 cm) handle, and all together is about 3 lbs 2.4 oz (1361 grams). Which is a little heavy for the length and the handle does feel a little cramped. The tip is kinda spatulated. The tip is not wider by width but it does widen perpendicular to the edge .

Overall, the fit and finish is great. It is exceptionally well made and as far as build quality and looks, nothing is wrong, and most everything is right  10 out of 10 

Handling and Performance - 6

It is built like a tank and it performs a little like one too. Mind you, I prefer a lighter blade and prefer to be at a longer measure than I think this guy is made for. It goes toe to toe in any bind and is great up close. It almost wants you to use the pommel rather than the blade with how it likes to pivot around. It even has a shorter crossguard to prevent it getting in the way.

Being so good up close means that it struggles at range. The handle is short, the blade is short and the crossguard, short. I do not love swinging this guy around at range either. I know it is preference but this review is my preference so I am going with a mixed bag of 6 out of 10. I am sure someone out there will LOVE how it performs but this one is not for me.

Durability - 10

I said before, it is BUILT. The only marks I could find on the sword after hours of sparring are a few nicks on the crossguard. I am sure this wrap will begin to fray if it takes a few hits but I do not think anything is going to break. 10 out of 10

Safety - 6

A hefty sword has some inherent safety issues. It has serious mass when you swing it around. It also has a pretty stiff blade and the tip is not spatualated enough. I actually caught myself reducing the amount of thrusting I did because I did not love how I had to do all the flexing in my arms and straight dropped my sword to not kill an opponent at a tournament I went to recently. I certainly don't recommend it for a newbie.

6 out of 10

Value - 7

This sword is $588 on Kult of Athena, it is expensive in a vacuum but Ensifer targets the highest end of the HEMA market and if that is the case they have the value they are looking for. It looks great and is great for the right fighter, even if that person is not me.

7 out of 10

Overall Impression - 7.8

With an aggregate score of 7.8, the Kron is a great sword for a very specific fighter. If you are quick on your feet, light in touch and love to ringen, this is the perfect sword for you. Ensifer made a specific sword and had a clear vision, I just was not a part of that, and that is okay! I am glad this sword exists, but I can appreciate it while I am fighting against it, rather than with it.