FEDERWYRM & MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARMS

HISTORICAL SWORD ARTS



Non-Contact Drills





Most lessons are delivered as non-contact drills for beginners where the weapon simulators never make contact with the practitioner. For this we only need a suitable weapon simulator. We recommend a specifically made HEMA steel, synthetic or padded practice weapons.

If two students pair up for partner drills, the weapon simulators should be matched, i.e. steel with steel, synthetic with synthetic, etc.

Light gloves may be worn for the comfort of the hand, however students should NOT wear mis-matched safety equipment (for example one student has a mask, the other has not). This may skew the perception of risk and safety of the practitioner wearing the equipment against the one who is not. Either everyone wears the same equipment, or the drill is altered to where the equipment is not required.



Light Contact Drills





As soon as drills and exercises include making contact with a partner, suitable safety equipment must be worn. If performed with padded weapons this includes as a minimum:

  • a well-fitting fencing mask
  • lightly padded gloves

Where contact is made with steel simulators, we further require:

  • a lightly padded and well-fitting HEMA fencing jacket with a blade catcher
  • a solid plastic or steel neck guard (gorget) suitable for HEMA
  • a solid steel or plastic groin guard suitable for male anatomy (and strongly recommend for female anatomy)

Partners may choose to wear additional or heavier equipment at this point, so long as this does not interfere with the intended exercise or risk perception.



Sparring with Padded Weapons





The minimum required kit for sparring with padded weapons are:

  • a well-fitting fencing mask
  • lightly padded gloves
  • a solid steel or plastic groin guard suitable for male anatomy (and strongly recommend for female anatomy)

We also recommend a solid plastic or steel neck guard (gorget) suitable for HEMA if desired



Sparring with Synthetic or Steel Weapons





We do not differentiate between steel and synthetic weapons - both types impart nearly as much force and equally increase the risk of the activity. Therefore full steel sparring equipment must be worn even for synthetic play. This includes:


  • a well-fitting fencing mask, with optional additional padding
  • a back-of head protector fitted to the mask with hard inserts (no foam)
  • Heavy sparring gloves suitable for weapon type
  • a padded and well-fitting HEMA fencing jacket with a blade catcher
  • a solid plastic or steel neck guard (gorget) suitable for HEMA
  • a solid steel or plastic groin guard suitable for male anatomy (and strongly recommend for female anatomy) - this must be worn UNDER the trousers.
  • hard-shell elbow protectors fitting closely and covering the outside of the elbows sufficiently
  • wrist & forearm protection, either stand-along or integrated into the glove
  • hard-shell knee protectors fitting closely and covering the outside of the knees sufficiently
  • Shin protectors, potentially integrated into the knee protectors
  • Trousers of sturdy and dense fabric to be worn - as a minimum denim or "workwear" fabric or suitable martial arts attire.
  • No exposed skin anywhere on the body (plams, wrists, neck, lower legs, feet)


We also recommend either specific padded HEMA fencing trousers or alternatively a padded HEMA skirt



Recommended Equipment List



The club will seek to provide beginner equipment, however we recommend that committed students acquire their own kit as soon as possible. Start with groin guard, masks, gloves, practice weapon (in order of priority).



Last edit: 03/09/22

Author: James Normansell

Edits: Sascha Semmler


I’ll try to keep this document as up to date as possible. Most things have a cheap beginners option and a more expensive tournament/advanced option. When you’re about to buy something (whether it’s on the list or not) please speak to someone about it first. I’m always up for gear chat and am happy to give advice on sizing/quality/value for money etc.


If you have things you think should be added please leave a comment here or send me a message.


Note from Sascha: I can help with adding extra padding to masks, professionally sewn and tailored. Please reach out. This for students only, as there is no commercially viable option on the market, and scrum caps may not always be suitable.


Groin protector


Get one from any sports shop at approx. £10

One that is worn in direct contact is best so it doesn’t slip around.

Avoid gel cups and choose a hard material - either thick plastic or steel.


Masks


Allstar Coaches (tournament) £156: https://allstaruhlmann.com/product/allstar-masters-1600n-mask/

Get this one for tournament fencing, the mesh quality is the best on the UK market. Note you’ll also want some extra padding, ie rugby scrum cap (get from ebay) or sew in some foam inserts. Also needs an overlay + back of head


Red Dragon (beginner) £69: https://www.thehemashop.com/red-dragon-fencing-mask Perfectly adequate for friendly sparring.

You will eventually want to replace it over time if you’re doing tournaments, but they offer good sizing options and are reliable. The fabric banding around the mask will eventually tear from repeated contact and will need to be taped back in place - this is fine and cosmetic only, but can be avoided with an overlay.


Overlay/Back of Head protection


Spes Trinity £66.50 https://www.thehemashop.com/mask-overlay-inc-back-of-head-protector

Full mask overlay, maximum protection but can get hot for some people


Spes Unity £64.55 https://www.thehemashop.com/unity-mask-overlay-pro Top and back of head protection.

Slightly less protection but more freedom and less hot


Red Dragon from the Knightshop offers equivalent models at a lower price. These are slightly less well-fitting. Buy a size larger.


Gorget


Red Dragon Gorget £20 https://www.thehemashop.com/red-dragon-throat-protector

Fine for careful club sparring/drilling. Isn’t rigid enough to deal with very heavy thrusts at tournament intensity. Also doesn’t cover back of neck.


Lightweight Gorget £50-132 https://tempusswords.co.uk/product/lightweight-gorget

Good UK option for rigid plastic gorget, covers back of neck and has clavicle option.


ARCEM MINI GORGET £26.66 https://www.blackarmoury.com/en/gorgets/241-arcem-mini-gorget-3664419001477.html

Hard low-profile gorget. Lower price but lacks back of neck protection


Jacket


SPES AP £171 https://histfenc.eu/en/177-350n https://www.thehemashop.com/protection/hema-torso-protection-1

Available in mens/womens cuts.


Spes provides frequent updates to their jackets. Most models are suitable. If you are a beginner, for longsword avoid officer’s or light jackets, since there is less padding.


Red Dragon from the Knightshop offers equivalent models at a lower price. These are alright for the price but have no padding over the spine, we recommend to avoid them even thought hey are in common use.


Chest protector


Masterguard £36 https://www.leonpaul.com/mens-masterguard.html

Not mandatory, but good for taking the sting out of thrusts to the chest


Gloves


Sparring Gloves SG Fechtschule Gdansk £147 https://sparringglove.com/en/?v=79cba1185463

Recommended. Go for the mittens. Either get the hourglass cuff (and pair with forearms and elbows) or get extended cuff with just elbows


Spes Heavies £181 https://www.thehemashop.com/spes-lobster-heavy-hema-full-thumb-sparring-gloves

Slightly stronger than the SGs, but much more restrictive


Red dragons £59 https://www.thehemashop.com/red-dragon-gloves

Fine for foams/synthetics/sabre/rapier. Just not steel longsword. Have durability issues and may wear out very quickly. MUST be worn with fingertip protectors firmly glued or taped in place for synthetic longsword!


Elbows


Spes elbow £18.92 https://histfenc.eu/en/men/93-shell-elbow-overlays.html


Forearms


Riot surplus forearms <£15 Ebay

Not pretty, but perfectly adequate


SPES Light Forearm Overlays £35

Low profile, good if you have the hourglass cuff mittens


Legs


Spes Locust/hussar/Officer pants £80-100 https://histfenc.eu/en/160-legs

Recommended, excellent overall protection.


Spes Skirt £66 https://histfenc.eu/en/160-legs

Decent padding where it covers, leaves gaps at the leg. Ideally you need leggings or something underneath to cover exposed skin.


Riot surplus thighs <£15 Ebay

Leaves gaps, not great but ok for careful club sparring


Knee/shin


Ideally you want something that also covers the sides of the knee. Shin Guards from other sports are acceptable


Riot surplus knees <£15

Decent but cheap option, sometimes lacks side of knee coverage


Spes Knee + Shin guard


Red dragon Knee + Shin guard


Longsword


Sigi £272.27 https://sigiforge.com/

Easily the best feder on the market. Super springy and forgiving in the thrust. I recommend the concept schilt with either regular or shorty length.


Regenyei Medium £170.28 https://regenyei.com/product/custom-feder-wide/#blade Cheaper option.

Get the medium flex, back folded tip. The standard “strong” flex is too stiff.


Jo staff £18

https://www.playwell.co.uk/weapons/wooden-weapons/jo-staffs/jo-staff-ash-wood-straight-50-4ft https://www.playwell.co.uk/weapons/wooden-weapons/jo-staffs/jo-staff-black-oak

Jo staffs make a nice cheap option as a longsword solo trainer. Bonus points for not scaring your neighbours.


Sabre


Kvetun Easton £224.60 https://kvetun-armoury.com/saber/easton-sabre-mark-iii.html

Current best sabre. Nice and flexible


Quarterstaff


approx. £24 https://www.playwell.co.uk/weapons/wooden-weapons/bo-staffs

https://www.playwell.co.uk/weapons/rubber-foam-plastic-weapons/black-polypropylene-full-contact-bo-staff-6ft https://www.playwell.co.uk/weapons/wooden-weapons/bo-staffs/bamboo-and-rattan-bo-staffs/bo-staff-plain-rattan



FEDERWYRM & MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARMS



HISTORICAL SWORD ARTS



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