Please thoroughly study these guidelines in relation to safety kit and acceptable weapons for use in the AHF.

All training equipment and training weapons are to be purchased and owned by club members. The instructors will loan training weapons out to get you started, but it is your responsibility to acquire the suitable equipment as laid out in this guide as quickly as possible. No equipment is required for your first session, but after this you should quickly acquire a fencing mask and begin to get the rest of the minimum required equipment as and when it is possible. You are responsible for the equipment you are wearing, and the training weapons you are using, and must ensure they are safe and in good condition at all times to prevent injury to yourself and others.

Historical Fencing is an ever-growing hobby, and new products and manufacturers regularly appear. This guide is not an exhaustive list or limit on what is available to use at the club. If you have any questions or require any additional advice, please contact the instructors by email via the website, on Facebook (as individuals or through the AHF public page or members group) or talk to us in person at the sessions. All AHF members are eligible for a club discount on Red Dragon products, please contact us to find out how to get this discount.

You are responsible for the equipment you are wearing, and the training weapons you are using, and must ensure they are safe and in good condition at all times to prevent injury to yourself and others.

If you have any questions or require any additional advice, please contact the instructors by email via the website, on Facebook (as individuals or through the AHF public page or members group) or talk to us in person at the sessions. If you purchase any equipment that is not expressly recommended in the equipment guide you will need to have it checked by the AHF instructors prior to it being used in training. If you’re in any doubt, check with us first.

Sharp, pointed, or semi-sharp weapons are strictly forbidden. No exceptions.

The first things you should purchase are –

Fencing mask with back of head protector or overlay.
Red Dragon HEMA Sparring Gloves
HEMA Fencing Jacket
Elbow/Forearm Guards

Training Weapons

At the AHF there are three levels of training swords and sparring. For light contact foam weapons are used and require the least level of safety equipment. Synthetic swords are the most common training swords at the AHF for beginners and intermediate level fencers. Steel training swords are optional but highly recommended. Foam training swords are usually used with beginners (and loaned to newcomers by the instructors), or those looking for sparring with light to minimal gear. As we practice with a wide range of weapons and styles at the AHF, you may well find yourself wanting several different sword types, though certain models will be useful for a wide range of training, speak to the instructors about this.

Any new weapons brought into the club must be checked, inspected and approved by the instructors before use.

Level 1 – Foam/padded training swords

This is where beginners start, but foam weapons find many other uses in the AHF. They can be used on hot days, or for those looking for lighter gear for sparring. These require only a mask and we would recommend light gloves like gardening gloves or similar to prevent abrasions. Foam weapons allow full involvement in training and sparring and are also great for small group and melee sparring.

Level 2 – Synthetic Training Swords

Black Fencer synthetic training swords are recommended, but due to varying flexibility and weight of the blades of different models, extra care for striking power should be given to certain models. This is an extensive range and most of it can regularly be used in AHF training practices. Please ask for advice before purchasing. Knightshop synthetics are also permitted in the club, but Black Fencer are generally preferred.

Level 3 – Steel Training Swords

Steel weapons are the ultimate aim for fencers in the AHF, though it may take some time until you’re ready to fully participate. Training weapons are constructed specifically for historical fencing. Re-enactment weapons are generally not suitable due to lack of safe flex, safe tips, and incorrect weights.

Below is a list of recommended sword manufacturers. Not every model that each of them sell is well suited to our practice. Please ask for advice and recommendations on individual models. There are also many other suppliers with good products. All steel swords most be blunt, rust and burr free, and with suitable tip (rolled, fluted, or blunt and covered with a cap, such as Black Fencer rubber cap or bullet casing for rapiers) Level 3 is optional, but recommended for all AHF members due to the realism it affords, albeit it at the cost of more protective gear and training swords.

Kvetun Armoury
Black Fencer
Regenyei Armoury
Malleus Martialis
Sigi Forge
Historical Fencing Armoury
Krieger Historical Weapons
Poker Armoury
Kraken Swords
Castille Armoury

Special weapons – Polearms

Polearms can be especially dangerous due to their long reach, and high hitting power. We allow only certain polearms to be used, and even then under carefully controlled fights. All polearms with head/tips must be fitted with a flexible head of no less than 6 inches/15cm of flexible material and only strikes with the flexible heads will be counted and allowed. The only exception to this is staffs, in which case only gentle taps with the tips will be allowed. Staffs must be of a flexible material such as rattan. Hardwood staffs are for drill only.

Protective Equipment for Sparring

With Padded/foam Swords

Fencing Mask – from a reputable manufacturer (see below)

With Synthetic/Steel Swords

Fencing Mask with back of the head protector.
HEMA fencing jacket.
Suitable gloves depending on weapon/guard type
Rigid Knee and Elbow protection (for anything heavier than rapier).
Throat protector

Additional Recommended Protective Equipment

Groin guard
Shin/forearm guards
Plastic chest protector
HEMA fencing breeches

Equipment Recommendations

The following equipment has been found to be the most useful to our training. However, this protective equipment is not a guarantee against injury, and must be used appropriately and with care for contact levels and your training partners.

Fencing Masks

Red Dragon HEMA Fencing Mask
Leon Paul Club Mask
Leon Paul Titan X-Change HEMA Mask
Rearguard Mask
Garjadoni
Wukusi Cobra Mask

Back of the head protector/Overlay

SPES Vectir, Unity or Trinity.
Red Dragon Full or leather Overlay
Superior Fencing SF HEMA Full Fencing Mask Overlay

HEMA fencing jacket

SPES AP 350N
SPES AP Light 350N
SPES AP Light NG 800N
Red Dragon HEMA Sparring Jacket
Red Dragon HEMA Light Sparring Jacket
Superior Fencing SF Thermo Ventilation HEMA Jacket 800N
Superior Fencing SF Angelo Jacket 800N
Superior Fencing SF Mercenary Jacket 350N

Suitable gloves depending on weapon/guard type

Suitable gloves must be worn on both hands when sparring. Sometimes this means different glove types for certain combinations of weapons, such as a light glove for rapier, and a medium glove for the dagger that is paired with it, or even if no secondary weapon is used,

Light Gloves (for basket hilts, rapier and similar)