Important

Training weapons can be VERY expensive. Members, please do not purchase any weapon until you’ve cleared the purchase with your Provost. Not all branches within the club use the same kit and offerings are evolving all the time. The last thing we want is for you to buy kit you can’t use.

Padded Weapons

Padded weapons are the starting point for free-play at many of our branches. The ones we currently favour are made by Go-Now out of Poland and are available at many HEMA suppliers. Compare pricing and shipping when ordering. The longsword, short sabre (dusack), and long sabre (sabre) versions are all very good training tools that require only a mask, gloves and a box for those with testicles/chest protection for those with breasts.

Shinai

Shinai are arguably superior to traditional singlesticks and wasters, and can be modified in a variety of ways to act as both backswords and longswords. They can be purchased from most martial arts shops.

Articles on how to modify a shinai for use as a spadone or broadsword can be found in our Blog.

Talk to your Provost before buying a Shinai as some branches don’t use them.

Synthetic Wasters

Synthetic wasters are useful drilling work and exercises however they also require the same protective equipment as recommended for steel. Their only real advantages are in cost and in not having to be maintained like steel.

Talk to your Provost before buying a synthetic weapon, as not all branches use them.

Suppliers

Blunts / Foils / Federschwerts

This is a major purchase. You should first gain some experience with various examples owned by other members before deciding on the sort you prefer. If you don’t yet own a fencing mask or the correct gloves for your weapon, purchase these before you even look at getting your own training weapons. Weapons can easily be loaned to you. Protective gear lending is tricky with disinfection and sizing.

The type of sword you choose will depend largely on which system you favour. Talk to your provost before buying any kit to avoid disappointment.

Different branches will have different weapon requirements and it’s up to you to choose a training weapon that fits the characteristics laid out by your branch on brand, flex, length, weight etc. Talk to your Provost before buying a weapon.

Recommended Suppliers:

  • Regenyei Armory (Hungary) – http://www.regenyei.com/ – European smith well regarded by the HEMA community. Functional. Durable. Dependable. Contact Provost Richard Cullinan (0407 917 497, rcullinanau@gmail.com) to get in on the next group bulk order.
  • Sigi Forge (Slovak Republic) – https://sigiforge.com/ – Some of the best longsword and messer trainers on the market. Highly highly recommended.
  • Tim Harris (Melbourne) – (ask for contact details) – makes a great range of munitions grade swords that have proven to be highly durable.
  • Darkwood Armory (US) – http://www.darkwoodarmory.com/ – Manufacturers high quality, well balanced swords, and our recommended rapier manufacturer using their DA2 or WMA blades. Their Destreza blade is also acceptable for our needs due to the lower maintenance needs, however their hilt furniture is not as durable as other manufacturers. They should be able to fit any of their furniture on to one of these blade types as a custom order.
  • Arms & Armor (US) – http://armor.com/ – Manufacture a range of high end training swords, well regarded in the HEMA community.
  • Alchem Inc (US) – http://www.alcheminc.com/fencing.html – Their flat tang blades make a good semi-durable munitions weapon.
  • Bloss (PL) – https://bloss.pl/ – Bloss definitely prioritises performance over durability. A good Bloss sword is a pleasure to fence with.
  • Castille Armoury (US) – https://castillearmory.com/ – good range of made to order weapons, particularly good for later era weapons such as smarras, smallswords, and sabres.
  • Purpleheart Armoury (US) – https://www.woodenswords.com/ – excellent range of polymer polearm heads, as well as leather and polymer dussack trainers.
  • Knightshop (UK) – https://www.theknightshop.com/ – Specialist HEMA supplier manufacturing their own range of synthetic wasters, as well as distributing a range of steel HEMA weapons.