I have been using the Regenyei museum replica feder for a few years now. The design is according to measurements of the KZ 1030 “paratschwert” in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.
It handles quite differently to other “feders” that are not museum replicas. I think it is an excellent training tool and is definitely worth recommending to people who study 16th century longsword fencing.
This review: motivation and transparency
I bought this sword myself years ago and am receiving nothing from the maker in exchange for writing this review (which I have written because I want to publish a review for each of the various swords I use for training).
Dimensions
The dimensions are as follows:
- total length: 130 cm
- blade length: 95.5 cm
- grip length: 29 cm (excluding pommel)
- grip length: 33.5 cm (including pommel)
- pommel: smooth ball (comfortable to hold)
- weight: around 1.48 kg
- point of balance: around 5 cm in front of the hilt
The sword is a painstaking replica of a surviving federschwert in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, according to the measurements of Dr Daniel Jaquet.Therefore, it is entirely suitable for the 16th century fencing treatises such as those by Mair, Meyer, and for the anonymous Kolner Fechtbuch.
Weight & Handling
The sword feels lighter than the 1.5 kg it actually weighs, due to the excellent balance. It moves easily and loves to fly up into a Zwerhaw.
The blade does not have much mass, and so I find that I often struggle to hold a bind very well with it. The sword definitely prefers to leave a bind and fly around into something like a Zwerhaw or another such action rather than working with Winden and other actions from the bind.
Flexibility
The blade is incredibly flexible. By measuring the dynamic flexibility using the method outlined in this article, the measurement is 6.5 kg.
Although the point is quite thin, it is well-spatulated. Combined with the incredible flexibility, I believe that thrusts are quite safe with this sword.
Price
The price for this sword from Regenyei Armory is €290. It is a bit more expensive than the standard feder models on their website, but it is an exacting replica of a historical federschwert, and it is an excellent training tool for the 16th century German fencing methods – significantly better for this purpose than the standard feders on their website. A little extra money is a good trade for getting the right sort of tool for the job.
Conclusion
The Regenyei museum replica feder is perfect for training 16th century German longsword fencing. It is a replica of a sword from that period and it certainly helps with the techniques and concepts from the source material. I prefer to use this sword where possible when working on the 16th century “common fencing” methods.
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Keith Farrell teaches HEMA professionally, often at international events (why not hire me to teach at your event?), and has an interest in coaching instructors to become better teachers. I teach regularly at Liverpool HEMA, and help behind the scenes with running HEMA in Glasgow at the Vanguard Centre.
I have authored Scottish Broadsword and British Singlestick and the award-winning AHA German Longsword Study Guide, and maintain a blog at www.keithfarrell.net where I post regularly.
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