If there are two or more HEMA clubs in the same city, how do you handle this from the point of view of marketing your own club? There is competition for members, so how do you advertise? How do you differentiate your club from the others and how do …
Review of the Red Dragon synthetic longsword
I have been using the Red Dragon synthetic longsword for HEMA since they were first introduced to the scene. Although many people dislike them for being plastic and floppy, I find that they have many advantages and I use them regularly as loaner …
The importance of having a HEMA club website
When you are running a HEMA club, or starting a new group, it is important to have a website for the club. You maybe don’t need one right away, but it should be high on your list of priorities. Having a website for your club will bring significant …
What do you rely on during sparring?
We all have certain things that we like to rely on during sparring. It might be a technique, a concept, or a special trick - it might be something that you learned while studying this discipline, or something that you picked up by studying something …
Review of the Albion Liechtenauer longsword
I have been using the Albion Liechtenauer at different events over the course of several years, and recently acquired one of my own. It is one of my favourite swords and is unfortunately expensive to buy new in the UK. …
Review of the Regenyei museum replica feder
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 …
Review of the Albion Meyer longsword
I have been using the Albion Meyer for several years. I went through some periods of leaving it to the side as I spent time using other swords, but I always return to it because it is such a great training tool. …
Review of the Aureus Alexander II longsword
The Aureus Alexander II is a phenomenally good training tool that allows for technical fencing as well as making high-intensity competition a much safer situation. I have been using it for a few months and enjoy the ability to project attacks at my …
Thoughts about interpreting the Anonymous Unicum
Back in 2017, I was invited to teach at an event in Switzerland - a whole event dedicated to gemeinfechten, or common fencing. Although I was teaching my ideas about the Kölner Fechtbuch, one of the sources presented and discussed over the weekend …
How to design drills and exercises for your HEMA club
I often hear questions about how to design drills and exercises for a HEMA club. Sometimes it comes during discussions in person at events, or sometimes in discussion threads online, but it is quite a common question. There are many instructors who …
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Some thoughts about test cutting practice
I believe that test cutting practice is an important element of our HEMA training. It keeps us honest and ensures that our techniques are effective. It is all too easy to spend time and effort working on mechanics and interpretations that are not …
Flourishes in the German longsword sources
Are there flourishes in the German longsword sources? Flourishes are solo forms, sequences perhaps a bit like kata, that can be used to practise techniques and generally do training with sword in hand even without a partner – useful if you can …
Why I like to use the Red Dragon synthetic longswords in my club
It is perhaps quite a contentious statement, but I do like to use the Red Dragon synthetic longswords in my club. Not everyone likes them, especially when steel is an option, but I do believe that they serve a number of important purposes and they …
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The longswords I realised I like borrowing at events
I recently realised that there are certain longswords that I like borrowing at events. When I travel for teaching, I often ask the organisers if I can borrow a sword, since this makes my travelling easier and usually makes the cost of travelling …
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Training a new system of karate
Late last year, I returned to practising karate on a weekly basis (when I haven’t been away teaching, or in self-isolation due to the current coronavirus). I used to practise Shoto Budo karate and now I am taking up Kyokushinkai karate - it has been …
Copyright and the HEMA Community – Part 6: How does sharing copyrighted material hurt authors within our community?
Copyright is a complicated thing. Members of the HEMA community participate in an activity that is inextricably linked with material that may well be copyrighted in some fashion, and therefore it is helpful to understand what copyright is and how it …
Thinking about your system’s doctrine
Every system has a doctrine, an algorithm or set of instructions that describe the best advice for the vast majority of situations that will occur while you practise that system. When different systems have different doctrines, this (quite …
Copyright and the HEMA Community – Part 5: What is “fair use” and how far does it extend?
Copyright is a complicated thing. Members of the HEMA community participate in an activity that is inextricably linked with material that may well be copyrighted in some fashion, and therefore it is helpful to understand what copyright is and how it …
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Some thoughts about screaming, kiai, and making noise in HEMA
Is it alright or frowned upon for people to make noise, to scream, or to make a kiai of some sort while practising HEMA? What about in competitions when adrenaline is running high? This is a question that I have seen asked at least a couple of …
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Review of “The Art of Fencing: The Forgotten Discourse of Camillo Palladini”
I was recently given a copy of the new publication The Art of Fencing: The Forgotten Discourse of Camillo Palladini to read and review. Although rapier is not my main area of expertise, I have read (and edited and published!) several rapier …
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