The Brueghel Messer is a fierce short sword by Tod Cutler has a blade forged from tempered EN45 high carbon steel. The guard and pommel cap are steel and the long bladed dagger is securely constructed with a full tang construction of two wood grip scales which are stoutly riveted directly to the blade tang and then supported with a peen over the pommel cap. It is paired with a utility by-knife of matching tempered steel with a grip of finely polished wood. This German / Swiss fighting blade is matched with a high quality dagger of fine leather that has a slot not only for the Messer, but for its companion by-knife as well. Tod Cutler takes its inspiration for the recreated German / Swiss Messer from the paintings of Brueghel, of which many feature lower status men with short Messers or Bauernwehr. Many of these feature side rings or a knuckle bow. Like these originals, the Tod Cutler Brueghel has a stout, thick spined and rigid blade with appleseed edge geometry. These large daggers and short swords are clearly shown as work-a-day tools and are entirely about practicality without the finery associated with swords of higher classed personages. The emphasis was all about creating a tough and dependable cutter for self defense and a fierce sidearm for war.