This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Cleaning your fencing mask
Cleaning your fencing mask is an important thing to do from time to time, to prevent it from smelling bad, and to keep the insides a little healthier for when you wear it. With enough use, a fencing mask accumulates a lot of sweat. If it has been in …
The importance of books 17: Christopher Scott Thompson
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
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Preservation, cleaning, and restoration of blades – historical and otherwise
This is a guest article by Adam Severa. Originally, Adam posted this to Facebook, and I asked if I could host it on my blog to help preserve the article for posterity and for more easy reference and access in the future. He kindly agreed, and gave …
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Review of the Armour Class sharp longsword (MS6T)
Armour Class has been around in the re-enactment and HEMA communities for at least a couple of decades. Their swords have an excellent name and reputation in re-enactment circles, although they haven’t always been so popular in HEMA clubs: the blunt …
The importance of books 16: Andrea Morini
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
You cannot hide from boolean data
One of the most important developments in my practice of fencing was when I started doing test cutting, because this gave me boolean data, and either I succeeded or I failed. There was no longer any way to hide behind an excuse for why a technique …
The importance of books 15: Rob Runacres
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Good and bad things about flying
I do a lot of travelling for my work. HEMA events happen in many different countries, and often the only practical way to reach them is to fly. I used to hate flying, with a passion, but I have come to terms with it over the last few years, and now …
Review of the Carnage Claymores “technical” sabre
Carnage Claymores is a relatively new smithy that has opened in Scotland recently, with a focus on making Scottish swords for the HEMA community. Thomas McConnell is the smith behind the company; he is also the instructor at the Highland Broadsword …
The importance of books 14: Alberto Bomprezzi
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Shelf numbers for books in archive
This article was originally posted on Encased in Steel on 24th February 2017. It has been edited and improved for posting here. You may have observed that when discussing original source material, people will sometimes refer to sources by their …
The importance of books 13: Carl Ryrberg
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Improve your footwork – play games like children!
A common problem for almost every practitioner of HEMA (and indeed, of many martial arts) is that footwork is difficult and could always use improvement. But how to go about improving footwork? Common exercises involve standing in line and practising …
Review of “Art of the Borderland”
Art of the Borderland: Saber Fencing of Hungary is a hardback book that was self-published in November 2015, with assistance by Regenyei Armory. The authorial team includes Schunder László, Papp Norbert, and Ferenczi Attila. …
The importance of books 12: Meg Floyd
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Reconsidering the buffalo
The Liechtenauer glosses speak of the buffalo, and not in a very complimentary fashion. However, we should not make the naïve assumption that the buffalo is a fencer who is strong but dumb, nor should we assume that the buffalo is a bad fencer. …
Review of Lambert & Lambert Antiques
I recently bought an antique sword from Lambert & Lambert Antiques, and have been delighted with every part of the process. …
The importance of books 11: Bert Gevaert
This is a series of interviews with well-known HEMA practitioners from around the world. The subject is the importance of books in the HEMA community. Personally, I think books are immensely important to the community (and in general!), but I am …
Thoughts about the Schaitelhaw and fencing from Alber
The Schaitelhaw is one of the most difficult strikes in the Liechtenauer tradition of fencing, and most people struggle to find a good interpretation of the technique that they can rely upon during sparring and tournaments. I will be the first to …
Thoughts about the Schaitelhaw and fencing from AlberRead More