HEMA - Historical Fencing - How to get into it, if you're not near a club

HEMA - Historical Fencing - How to get into it, if you're not near a club:
hemaalliance.co...
hemaalliance.co...
www.communitywa...
www.freelanceac...
www.thehemashop...
www.thehemashop...
wiktenauer.com/...
www.hroarr.com/

[@captainhellenic]

I can see it now. Going round your local uni. "Say, I've got these old books and nowhere to train. Would you like to swing swords at each other?"

[@adameugenedonaldson7688]

I have just found a HEMA club in Tucson, where I've been transplanted by fate and the dictates of higher education. I've watched your videos for years now, and you've inspired me to join. Your KZbin channel has pushed me to do something I've always wanted to do, so...thank you, Matt.

[@scholagladiatoria]

+Adam Eugene Donaldson That's awesome! I've actually been in Tucson once and really liked the place.

[@NicPelegri]

Unfortunately, HEMA doesn't have a huge presence here in Madagascar. XD

[@MrFredstt]

ahaha, I would guess not lol

[@Arviragus13]

It seems pretty impossible to get a practise sword in NZ that doesn't completely obliterate my bank account and then some

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

You could become the first HEMA master of Madagascar, train the lemurs to be your assistants :)

[@raystargazer7468]

HAMA

[@NeflewitzInc]

I'm slowly getting more and more of my friends interested in this this stuff. I've gotten my two best friends interested in it to the point where they don't want to go larping anymore, they would rather have saturday be HEMA day. In fact I'm about to go meet one of them right now. :D LONGSWORD HO!

[@gadyariv2456]

Sadly there are no HEMA Clubs in my country. even sports fencing clup are scarce around here. I would love to get into it HEMA, but the best I could do is watch videos on youtube. what a bummer.

[@kordlesskure]

Oh wow there's actually HEMA clubs in Alaska! Even one 20 minutes from my house :D

[@amaninator9985]

Nevin Hughes really? I haven't been able to find any here

[@kordlesskure]

Actually I think the one in the Interior has either stopped meeting, or at the very least the instructor moved out of state.

[@kordlesskure]

Sorry to get your hopes up. If you really want you can try to organize your own club and maybe get instructors involved as well. But if you're in/near Anchorage you probably can find an active club.

[@dallenerickson9318]

@@kordlesskure I'm in Anchorage and haven't been able to find anything...

[@romanlegionhare2262]

@@dallenerickson9318 I am from Anchorage, just moved away but been there the last 16 years. If you haven't found one, try looking for Arctic Guard School of Fencing on Facebook, they are in South Anchorage if I remember right. I could not afford to get into HEMA but was seeing if there was a club and saw something about them. There is, or at least was, a club in Palmer, as well.

[@lolbirdisthewordlol]

Thank you for the HEMA Alliance link, I found a great school only about an hours' drive away from where I live. Thank you!!!

[@scholagladiatoria]

Great :-)

[@WarbananaOfDA]

I agree with the necessity of a training partner. I remember spending nearly a quarter of every drill session discussing the mechanics of the movements. As my situation anchors me to home right now. I'm still making sure that my body is in the right condition to return into HEMA whenever the chance arises.

[@JimGiant]

Wish I saw this video years ago. See you at Fightcamp.

[@ianmoore2850]

my biggest problem is im 45 min from a club and im surrounded by people with no interest in any of this

[@Alrold]

+Ian Moore I am at least 2 hours and there is a ton of people interested aroud but all of them are to afraid to start a club.

[@ianmoore2850]

same i also lack the money to do anything

[@MrFrostburner]

Start one yourself.

[@ianmoore2850]

MrFrostburner need the money

[@MrFrostburner]

Ian Moore That is the problem for most people, isn't it.

[@justsomeguy3931]

Little does Matt know that history's first recorded sword fight in ages will happen now between a HEMA teacher and sport fencing instructor over stolen students

[@Shiresgammai]

I actually doubt it. I believe that the two will eventually merge, at least to some degree.

[@justsomeguy3931]

Your saber collection is beautiful. Probably because it's your specialty. I used to hate them because the only one I ever held was a poorly balanced overly heavy wall hanger and I had no idea what I was doing as a teen (tho I was scary good with my machete). I appreciate and even like them now. Thank you.

[@probablythedm1669]

Hey Matt, (scholagladiatoria) I'm quite curious about what kind of protective gear you'd recommend for various types of historical fencing. Equipment that keeps your fingers, eyes and groin intact and so on. There's a bit of information about face and head protection, as well as a bit about hand protection (such as your recent review), but I'd be really interested in a video devoted to the entire kit. Head, face, chest, arms, hands, groin and wherever else you'd rather not have a blunt piece of metal impact with your tender soft tissue (without at least some manner of padding). Thanks for your videos sir, they're very informative.

[@TheVanguardFighter]

One doesn't need much gear at all, for many years I just wore gloves. Of course, , none of the clubs I went to actually hit each other with swords, or did any type of free sparring.

[@EccentricDrDave]

Most clubs have gear you can borrow till you get your own. Matt's club has a list of recommended equipment at www.fioredeiliberi.org/equipment/

[@romainvicta3076]

I went to my local hema club yesterday and its probaly the most fun ive had in years

[@Na_Picta_Irskr]

So, I'm very interested in the arming sword. And also being interested in archery, I wondered if you could do a video on how archers or pikemen might fight with the arming sword if they were forced to. At first guess. I would imagine it like the Gurkha's Kukri and rifle, or the American militia bowie knife/tomahawk and musket. With the arming sword being in the dominant hand. And the bow, or "useless" weapon being used like a parying stick. Basically, a video on arming sword against a opponent with a definite advantage (armor, weapons, shield) and what to do or hope for. OR any historical knowledge on how archers (or anyone else given an arming sword as a backup) used the arming sword without a shield.

[@chadherbert18]

Good advice! I recently moved away from a club in Kelowna to the Comox Valley (both in Briitish Columbia) and sadly, no more HEMA... I've been travelling to events in Victoria and Burnaby (overnight-trips) to practice and spar to help shake off the rust that keeps building up and decided that my passion for HEMA is too great and I started a club of my own. Classes begin in 2 weeks - sold out in 3 days and added a second class that is almost sold out as well! Pretty much followed your strategy move-for-move... :)

[@hallowedfool]

Finally managed to find a club recently now that I'm at university and I'm loving it and just wish I could do it more than once a week. I hope to come to fightcamp next year as it looks like great fun and I'd really love to meet more people than my small class.

[@josephstalin9939]

I've been reading manuscripts and manuals but the Hema club doesn't accept 13 year olds, I'm glad this video exists it's allowed me to carry on my passion

[@Shiresgammai]

Do you have a modern fencing or wrestling club nearby?

[@seanblanchard6497]

Thanks for the video and info. I'd already found the resources you linked to, all of which are excellent. Still searching for folks wanting to HEMA in a tiny town in northern New Mexioc, USA to no avail. One avenue I haven't had much luck with yet but might work for others is pestering folks in your local SCA chapter. I did SCA many years ago and have had some good discussions with local SCA people. No takers yet but people in the SCA have a similar enough interest where you might find someone there.

[@TheVanguardFighter]

I think a lot of people are to concerned about labels and thus dont take advantage of training they could. For example, training at a judo gym or mma gym if one wants to learn Fiore or Talhoffer grappling techniques.

[@The_Gallowglass]

Hey, Matt. I have a great love for the Gallowglass and highland swordsmen. Do you have any idea how they would have fought? I know the types of weapons and armor they used, but their style of swordplay (or axeplay) would likely be different from German or Italian fencing. Any light you can shed on this?

[@daaaah_whoosh]

It definitely seems to me like in a lot of cases, you get out of HEMA only what you put into it. Some people are lucky to live near an established club, but I feel like I'm pretty lucky to have started at the ground floor, and had the chance to make meaningful contributions to my local club.

[@megamountainman5230]

Do they teach how to end him rightly?

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

no, that technique is impossible to practice safely, your partner would implode upon the impact.

[@megamountainman5230]

If by "implode," you mean a singularity forms within their heart, that sounds accurate.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

well i mean, i was trying to put it simply. as for that technique, i thought of a way the sword would actually still be usable after though its not historically accurate as far as i know. but basically peg the grip in place like on japanese swords or knives with rivets. put it under the grip wrap and no one would be the wiser. then you could use a lock washer under the pommel and then the pommel, would also mean you could potentially shorten the threads on the pommel. would be funny to see someone do it at like battle of the nations or something then go smack the stunned guy with the sword :P

[@mundog5217]

Only the strongest fighters can unscrew the almighty pumel

[@silasmoser301]

Thanks so much, Matt. You're awesome!

[@rebirth2526]

I'm in Asia (Thailand exactly). That's too bad there is no HEMA here.

[@Naki728]

I am in Hong Kong

[@brianmincher716]

Dude, you have historical thai martial arts, you live in Mecca

[@bugfighter5949]

Muay thai > hema for me at least ;-)

[@jeffreyfuhz]

start one :]

[@akumabito2008]

Thanks for the great video, but you forgot the links to other KZbin channels..

[@espositogregory]

Luckily, in Texas we can carry any weapon under the magnitude of artillery-class war-gear. So everywhere can be a HEMA sparring location; so long as you're in possession of a few swords.... and an ornery attitude.

[@mr.s5523]

Thanks This video was very informative I hope in time after life is worked out to join this association in the near future.

[@TheCrimsonIdol987]

About the most I'm able to do is visit the nearest club once a month. The nearest club is 2 hours and 45 minutes away from my area.

[@LaughingOwlKiller]

Thanks for the info Matt, I have a few quick questions. Forgive me if you've answered these before. If all goes well in half a years time i will be moving to an area a mere 20 minutes from a HEMA club. I have a pair of gauntlets that I had made when I was dabbling in S.C.A. fighting, they are made to ACL standards so they will protect my hands fine, would they be all right for HEMA or would it be up to the individual club. In terms of health, I'm 31 and a good bit out of shape. Is 31 a bit too old to really start HEMA and other than overall cardio what are some good workouts that would benefit the most in HEMA. Thanks again for your videos.

[@billyko4391]

Very instireing. Thank you

[@XgamersXdimensions]

Hello Matt, I'm interested in HEMA and I am wondering what the curriculum mainly details (Weapons Taught). I know that it mainly focuses in 1. Swords (Longsword, Sword/Buckler, Rapier, Dagger, Smallsword, others). 2. Staves (Mainly Quarterstaff, any others?) 3. Spears (Two Handed, Spear and Shield) Are throwing Spears also taught? I've also heard of "Ringen" which is a type of German Grappling that can also be used with weapons like swords. Is there anything else I Should Know?

[@minecraftaddictXD]

Sorry that I don't have an answer. Joining the thread because I'm asking a similar set of questions.

[@username-kr2fz]

+XgamersXdimensions HEMA is anything and everything, from sticks to swords to bayonets and back to sticks again across all of history, it just depends on what you and your training partners are interested in learning. A good thing to remind yourself is that it's not really about the weapon, but the fighter and the techniques themselves. So even if you just sign up for something like sabre you'll learn almost all of broadsword, half of rapier, half of sword and buckler, a good deal of messer etc.

[@KnightedDawn]

When you say "the curriculum", what do you mean? Whose curriculum?

[@Ryzasu]

There is a HEMA shop in my own village but you can only buy clothes and school supplies and stuff like that

[@brandongranger6049]

Sword Carolina has recently started some online lessons as well. they seem pretty knowledgeable.

[@jaydencrowe8111]

Oh yes, unlearning things. Always fun. (I was initially trained in stage combat, so basically I had to get past the whole "flynning is not a thing".)

[@johnsmith-kj8jd]

Networking at events/clubs etc. as well as social media would be a good resource. Thanks for the video matt as this sadly applies to me. In fact a short series of videos on the topic would be very helpful if you were to go through the basic equipment you would need to start training. I know you have done reviews of hema products but to condense this type of thing into a little starter pack? would be cool as well as giving a cost estimate of the initial investment etc. cheers ;)

[@joaomarcalves]

I agree with John, it woud be really nice. In Brazil hema is progressing with babysteps, and, sadly, there is a lack of clubs or events anywhere near here. So such videos would be appreciated.

[@TheVanguardFighter]

Well actually, a lot of HEMA resembles brazilian Jiui jitsu or boxing

[@AgentBacalhau]

João Marcus Alves About that, do you know any HEMA club in São Paulo? Id love to know if there is one because i searched a while, but didnt find any

[@joaomarcalves]

bruno neri There are 3 groups in São Paulo, but I haven't check any of them. Both the "Beorningas" and "Clã Einherjar" are some form of viking renactment/hmb/hema. And there is also the "Academia da Espada" in Piratininga, for hema and modern fencing. Hope you find a nice group :)

[@AgentBacalhau]

João Marcus Alves thanks a lot :-)

[@yanivganor7599]

Hi Matt, I love your videos, both the instructinals and those in which you discuss history and ideas. I train in Filipino Martial Arts, but recently got interested in Historical Western Martial Arts as well. As far as I know there are no such groups where I live. I thought of learning together with a partner, from videos. What free materials could you recommend for us, for anything one handed (sabre, dussack, messer, even bowie knife)? Alternatively, are there good instructinal DVDs you can recommend?

[@gurkfisk89]

You can look at Axel Pettersson's seminar from 2011: Axel Pettersson Longsword & dussack Seminar in Bruges 2011 It has a lot of longsword in it but part of it is about the dussack. Edit: Oh, and ofc. Ilka Hartikainen has some really good videos about Bolognese swordsmanship. kzbin.infofeatured

[@GoodnightMoon4]

A few years late here, but man. I'd love to pick up fencing. In NJ in the states. :(

[@PhanthomKnight9]

Are dreynschalg's videos about longsword any good?

[@GdzieJestNemo]

hello, i'm from Poland i'v just signed up for classical fencing in saber with an aim to learn basics and later to learn how to use polish traditional weapon. I'v heard that polish use of saber is different from how it was used in the west - some kind of mix between western and middle-eastern style. Could you mayby recommend some resources that may be useful for both polish and general saber techniques?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Search out Jerzy Mi and Richard Marsden on the HEMA Alliance Forum/Facebook page - they are both working on reconstruction old Polish sabre methods.

[@Sylentmana]

I live in West Virginia. The nearest club is over 2 hours away and they are only open for 2-3 hours on Wednesday evenings. This makes me very sad and I can't practice at home because I live in a small apartment.

[@michaelkelly4094]

What was it that made you gravitate to Fiore as opposed to the Liechtenauer tradition? Was it anything in particular or was it Fiore sources were just more readily available?

[@babac157]

I wish I lived in europe

[@jaydencrowe8111]

I'd love to get into smallsword and rapier fencing, as well as sword-and-buckler.

[@jaydencrowe8111]

+Jayden Crowe Do you know if there are any events in america? 'cause I've been sort of self-teaching with smallsword, but it seems like an event would be a good idea (as I don't/won't have time for classes that often).

[@KnightedDawn]

There are quite a few events in the US. Some of the big ones are in SoCal, Seattle, Maryland, Houston, and Boston. I know there are other events in the Carolinas, Florida, Arizona, and other places, as well, however.

[@Dwilson1282]

We just started our own. If you're in Cleveland, hit me up.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

Hey Matt, if you ever think about doing another movie fight review, would you want to check out Shogun 2: Total War's intro cut scene? Yes, it's part of a video game, but you can probably find it on youtube. It's between a sengoku period samurai and an Ikko Ikki warrior monk. It seemed pretty legit to me, but I wanna hear your opinion. Thanks.

[@Jo-Heike]

I train both Aikido and HEMA.

[@oldmanwithers4565]

HI mat, I have recently discovered your videos online. I have had an interested in sword fighting for a long time but didn't realise Hema existed. I am not currently able to get down to a club althought I hope to do so in the new year when time is less of an issue. my interest is primarily one handed, sword and shield style and I am a little lost on where to start. aesthetically I like the falchion and medival arming sword and so would like to learn how to use one. I have ordered the Messer of Johannes leckuchner dvd. Is this an appropriate choice if not do you have any suggestions ? (I have no previous martial arts training) an I am also stuck on choosing and appropriate sword to practice with, a polypropylene martial arts kung fu 37" training sword, but I have no idea of the weight and balance on this is worth using or not. I would appreciate any advice you have on a synthetic trainer with a reasonable weight and balance also a decent blunt steel one hander to practice with.

[@greggpennington966]

Dear Matt, as one whom is hearing impaired, I would like to suggest adding closed captioning to those videos you made that have none. I don't read lips. So, if you want me to understand your video content, you might want to reconsider doing this. Genuinely interested in your videos and subject matter. But if I can't understand what is being said, the content doesn't matter. I can't be the only person who likes your videos who is hearing impaired. Please think about it. Best Regards. Gregg.

[@Isaac_howell]

Hey Matt, what's your opinion on stuff like battle of the nations, it looks like the events with more people appear to be more like big shoving matches but the one on one stuff looks quite interesting. Thanks,

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

When a hundred people are expected to fight 100 other people, it's not going to be a duel and the people will probably be hesitant to get into an all out slugging match. Hence, the tight formations and pushing (pushing as in the front rank of each side exchanges insults and dares the other to come on over; sometimes, one side retreats without a fight). With spears, it becomes a poking match, and with shorter weapons, it can turn it into a brawl in the front ranks, as the other ranks try to maneuver around. Yes, there might be charging to catch one side with the momentum of your side, so they'd fall over and be disadvantaged in the ensuing melee. TL/DR the thing to be aware of in unit-scale warfare are different than in skirmish or duel-scale.

[@Arkion]

Dear Mr. Easton, if I am interested in sabre, which type of sabre do you recommend? I deeply lust after the 1796 pattern British Light Cavalry Sabre, but I think you said in a video that its not good for actual fencing. Which sword do you recommend me to purchase?

[@egjundis]

Great video and references!

[@toldeneye007]

Kenjutsu would just be historical japanese sword arts, though, wouldnt it

[@owlblocksdavid4955]

Dang... I have two clubs reasonably close, and a couple clubs farther away. None of the two closest have times that are good for me (not sure if all would accept a high-school kid, either). I can't drive. I guess I just have to find a partner and do solo and partner slow drills from the Swordsman's companion (Guy Windsor). How much of a problem is safety equipment? Guy explicitly said to use safety equipment with partner slow drills, but we would be using wasters... Anyone have any advice for a kid who has a limited budget?

[@TulilaSalome]

+Owlblocks David You should at least check if they take highschool kids? Might be different where you live, but at least where I am teenagers are welcome. Clubs also have equipment to borrow.

[@NoahWeisbrod]

I really want to learn backsword or sidesword. I just really like the sword design, but aesthetically and practically.

[@RyuFireheart]

I was thinking there was no HEMA in Brazil but i have found 5 clubs now (thanks to your links). But all of them are very far from my state :p Anyway, thanks for this links

[@TheTrevieLive]

Hi Matt, both me and my brother want to start HEMA, unfortunately we are a little far away from your club and there isn't anyone really too local to us. We want to look at some source materials but not sure what to look at. You talk a lot about Fiore de'i Liberi, but is there anything else that you could recommend. My brother is interested in the longsword, and I'm more interested in military sabre (back sword really but want to start with military sabre and see how that goes) can you recommend any books or sources to look at?

[@moritzheh1148]

And im just sitting and always training with my one friend and just sparring with every weapon we got against each other.... idont know if were learing something but its funas hell.

[@WhistlePigZILLA]

I really only tend to see medieval types of things in these videos from all HEMA channels, but what I'm interested in is the Romans. Would I be too out of place using Roman weapons and armor?

[@KnightedDawn]

The problem is sources. We don't have a single treatise on how Roman weapons were used.

[@skaboodlydoodle]

SWORD SNAPPING! What is this? What does it mean? I've heard of this supposed technique here and there and I've heard that certain ornaments on swords were designed for "Sword Snapping". Does this literally mean to snap the blade of the opponents' sword into pieces? Is this possible? Probable? Common? Wouldn't most swords just be bent or crooked out of shape by the odd tooth or guard or rim rather than broken off completely? (Examples from what I've heard are that parts of the Scottish Basket-hilt broadsword is designed for this as well as some more complex rapier cages) So what is "sword snapping"?

[@mrod7692]

Watching HEMA videos on KZbin it seems most sword fights are over in a matter of seconds. Is this how it was in an actual medieval sword fight?

[@justsomeguy3931]

Just looked up HEMA in Alaska. Found one 500+ miles away =( Where there's a will there's a way...

[@blasty137]

My nearest club is 4 hours away, I have friends who are interested but our biggest problem is equipment since pretty much everything is expensive when you live in a poor country... Does anyone have experience (or advice) with improvising equipment? I'm a relatively skilled craftsman, did some carpentry and basic armoring in the past, I could easily make wooden wasters and some basic metal gauntlets. I also have some ideas for arm/leg protection, for example a thin piece of steel (1 mm or so) covered with foam and some fabric. Do you think that something like this would do?

[@SwongoBricks]

for wooden wasters: yes. protection for the head and hands are the most important in HEMA. if you are good and you're sure your selfmade protectors can withstand your training, then why not. otherwise i can recommend the red dragon sparring gloves and PBT fencing mask. those are relatively affordable. you could also get a starter kit from thehemashop.com those are pretty cheap but the included mask can't be used for steel sparring and i heard the red dragon wasters aren't that good. i hope i helped a little :P

[@blasty137]

Thanks a lot, every bit of advice is appreciated when you're a complete noob ;)

[@josephbloom1768]

blasty137 heat up pvc and bend it to the shape of the weapon you prefer to learn with. You can make gaurds using cardboard in layers of 5 or 6 and duct tape. Fill them to the brim with sand, seal on end and cap the pomel end. The sand gives a realistic weight and if theybreake they're very easy to replace. The pvc wont break bone but it does sting like a bitch to get hit in the hands

[@jackgeedubs1855]

To add to the protection, you could make guantlets out of leather if it isn't too expensive where you live

[@blakefish80]

There's a HEMA club in Manchester... Well actually there isn't. It's in bloody Marple which is the arse end of nowhere. It's like Saying there's a HEMA club in London, then finding out it's actually in Crawley.

[@viscerios]

i wish there was an hema club in the north of sweden

[@ocean6828]

No hema clubs in my area, and I’m too young for any events

[@DivinityOfBLaze]

I live in Cyprus so... no HEMA club here, only over seas.

[@colinsarah120]

Hey Matt. where could into about getting decent equipment for HEMA, I know the knight shop has started but are there any other decent suppliers?

[@Sifuben]

Out of interest what kung fu did you do? I think I read the same Terry Brown article and oddly enough today broke out the first edition copy of English Martial Arts that I subsequently ordered as I've just discovered a backsword club 5 minutes from my house.

[@rafaelfernandez1060]

Well, I live in Mexico, more specifically in the city of Culiacan. The thing is that there is a HEMA club in Mexico City, which is about 1200km/745 miles far from here. I need to add that I'll be visiting my Father, who lives in Mexico City in July. My father has a job there, so I was wondering if it is worth for me to go to that HEMA club while he's at work, even if it is just for a month or two (it'll be almost daily). And, if I get the chance to go, what would I need to do when I return home in order to keep progressing?. Thank you

[@koalakenbymacy9248]

Rafael Fernández well a month or two of training is better than none!

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

yes do it.

[@ianthered9283]

Are there any events that people know of in the Chicago area?

[@Sixpennysage]

Matt, do you ever do any wrestling or pugilism in your club?

[@seb8881]

No HEMA events in northern Canada

[@milossuljagic4030]

Hi!How useful it is to attend HEMA classes once in a week?I am 3 hours away from Belgrade in which the nearest club is so i can go only once in a week. Thank you.

[@yotubebossbossproduc]

And I was looking at fight camp on your website. But it never said these things. 1• how old do you have to be 2• where is it 3• What do you do there? Cheers bro

[@gurkfisk89]

I also took a look: www.fioredeiliberi.org/fightcamp/ At least for this year it was: 1, You have to be 18 2. The Grange, Frogmore Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, CV7 7FP. 3. This will ofc change a bit to next year: www.fioredeiliberi.org/fightcamp/docs/FC2014programme.pdf I hope that helps.

[@joshalbrecht2400]

Hey Matt, which style of kung fu did you study?

[@typorad]

I'm considering purchasing a hand and a half sword, if I wanted to get into HEMA would you recommend I get an unsharpened sword, or would they have some blunt swords to train with? I also think a sharpened sword would be better for some test cutting of course and a blunt sword has less usefulness in day to day life, like a sharpened sword makes a better decoration and a better defense weapon.

[@username-kr2fz]

+Bryan Bergh You really wont need your own sword for a while after you start training, just get yourself to a club and give a class a go.

[@NatKayz]

+Bryan Bergh Not a HEMA practitioner (yet) but, sharp swords meant for use are way more expensive than something like this (www.amazon.ca/Cold-Steel-Training-Polypropylene-Handle/dp/B001Q72ARC) a training sword that won't cut someone or get easily damaged by doing the wrong thing. I'd imagine getting something like this would be a better idea.

[@typorad]

NatKayz Thanks for the link, does the practice sword have the right balance and similar weight to a real sword? If it does I will definitely take it into consideration, especially with a low price tag like that.

[@NatKayz]

The reviews I've seen aroud the web seem to say it's pretty close but a bit blade heavy (though many mention that being good for building muscle)

[@username-kr2fz]

Whatever you do, avoid cold steel trainers life the plague. They are very unproportioned and worst of all cause a horrible shock to the hand. Their knife trainers are really good, but do not touch their swords.

[@Ostarrichi996]

1:22 what did he say about the festival in austria? couldn't hear it clearly :/

[@TreyWermes]

Hey, I've been watching a lot of HEMA videos lately, and I want to know what the precedent is for axe fighting (particularly axe and shield, or 2 handed axe) in HEMA. I'm having trouble finding any sparring videos (except axe vs axe at a viking themed event), though there are a few instructional ones.

[@skjporkchop]

I don't think hema does much with axe sparring but don't quote me though

[@antitankgunguy3192]

It's not common, from what I can tell, especially in sparring. Even if the thing is padded to all hell, a practice axe with correct weight and proportions can hurt a lot.

[@TheOneWayDown]

Joseph Wermes They hurt and there's not a ton about it in surviving treatises

[@jaydo1879]

Any HEMA clubs in Wisconsin in the U.S.?

[@timothyheimbach3260]

if there any place you can get good inexpensive protection gear? everything I've found online is like $100 masks alone.

[@putlightly]

+Timothy Heimbach ~ $100 per equipment is honestly not relatively expensive compared to some other sports. what you should first be concerned about is a helmet & gloves - ones that will stand up to the sort of weapons you want to train with, and you don't want to cheap out on that kind of protection because it could end up costing you a lot more if they fail and you are seriously injured. expect to pay about $300 for those plus a quality nylon weapon that closely matches actual steel weight & balance. aside from that, you can look at things like motocross armor for legs, arms and chest, that can be found relatively cheap. but don't skimp on the head and hands - better not to regret it than to have to put off any kind of semi-serious sparring until you can afford safe gear. i wish it was otherwise, because yeah, several hundred $ is still several hundred $ - but look at it as stuff you don't want to have to buy twice, that will last you for many years, and that will prevent serious harm, and maybe that takes the sting out of needing to come up with that kind of cash. cheers

[@Gloin79]

usually 50 dollar masks are 350N masks, for steel sparring you need one that's 1600 N, usually that wil cost about 120 euros, of synthetic sparring and technique drills 350N is fine

[@ethan073]

If you're in Murfreesboro, TN and want to do HEMA, contact me!

[@babac157]

What about in western Washington United united states? specifically the Seattle/Everett area?

[@theknightofbadassness301]

I've tried to get in touch with my local group but it seems I might smell and that they don't want to talk to me. :(

[@antoniosalvatore7986]

Do you do one-on-one training. How common is a circumstance like that?

[@Gloin79]

almost everything in hema is one on one duels, fighting multiple opponents is very hard, a lot of masters reccomend to just run away if you have to fight multiple opponents

[@AA-db9cb]

Where would you say you learned the most from? Teachers, the manuscripts or others?

[@davinelLinvega]

A great teacher is invaluable! But then again, Matt has been doing this for a while, back when this kind of person was sparse in HEMA, so my guess is Manuscripts.

[@gurkfisk89]

Others, that is by training. Even if you have a very good teacher, and read a lot of manuscripts. If you are just sitting around in the class you will learn very little. Repetition is important. And even if you don't have any teacher, sparring and testing things will make you learn a lot more than just reading about it.

[@therealoldnosey8689]

Are there HEMA clubs and other like associations in America? I live in northern Virginia and I have no idea where any are.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I am a Lion Yes lots - go to the HEMA Alliance page on Facebook.

[@therealoldnosey8689]

scholagladiatoria Thanks man!

[@phillipmiehm2580]

+I am a Lion, as long as you're in Fairfax, you'll likely find something. Here in Manassas/Prince William, we've got a whole lot of nothing.

[@user-ef2nl5ys4x]

Are there any clubs in Russia?And if not,are they planning to open them?

[@antonbelyaev8295]

+Исмаил Ализаде да, в Москве, Питере и Краснодаре. Перейдите по первой или второй ссылке, прокрутите вниз - world wide clubs - eastern europe. :)

[@keithwinnard9070]

Does anyone know of a club or study group near Lincoln, UK?

[@aboot2754]

I'm really curious, does it cost money to go to HEMA events? Or are they free?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes it costs money.

[@Gloin79]

some cost quite a lot, like around 90 euro but others are cheaper or even free. The more expensive ones, usually have more and more famous instructors

[@aboot2754]

Hm yeah, I'm really interested in getting involved but since I'm a university student I don't have much spare money.

[@Gloin79]

finding a club is more useful than events though

[@aboot2754]

Definitely. I live in America though so these clubs are a lot more sparse from what I've seen.

[@dizzt19]

Concerning events like camps, you still probably need to own the protective gear, right?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, though to take part in most classes (rather than sparring) you often only need a training weapon, and sometimes a fencing mask and gloves.

[@dizzt19]

scholagladiatoria Yeah, I get that. I was more thinking of the style of event where people show up, pay entrance fee and get to try something like HEMA without investing, like it happens for other hobbies and such. Probably not there yet :)

[@gurkfisk89]

***** Sometimes you can borrow from others at the event, but that's ofc is a gamble, and you need some social skills. =)

[@TheDiego1255]

Hello guys. Through watching this video I have decided to see if there is a club near me. I have found one however the website and phone lines are all down. Can anyone suggest pointers to a HEMA club in or near the city of Chester Cheshire UK? Thanks.

[@gurkfisk89]

I think that armed combat & tactics (ACT) has a chapter in Chester. a-c-t.co.il/

[@TheDiego1255]

That's the club I did find however their site is down armedcombatandtactics.co.uk And their phone lines are off. So I assume this chapter disbanded? Any ideas?

[@DextraVisual]

+TheDiego1255 Hey TheDiego, did you find a club near Chester? I also checked out the ACT club but the main chapter is now in Conwy apparently. I've been looking for a HEMA club near Chester for a while.

[@laurabaker9573]

Are there any HEMA events in texas?

[@KnightedDawn]

The Purpleheart Open happens every year in Houston.

[@pyromonic694]

does anybody know how old you have to be to become a member of HEMA?

[@KnightedDawn]

Depends on the school. Some are adults-only or 16 and up, but others take younger students. I personally teach children as young as 8.

[@derdingsreturnsnochmal5177]

U' re in London?! Fuck! I' ve been there in September with my degree - class ( hope that' s the right expression, I used Google - Translator)

[@TheVanguardFighter]

Do you know how I can get onto the Hoarr fotum? I tried creating a. Account but could not got accepted

[@scholagladiatoria]

Student A Sorry, I don't.

[@gurkfisk89]

It might be that the accounts at the Hroarr forum is manually accepted. If that's the case it might take a while.

[@eliasgeysen8815]

How old do you need to be for hema, i'm now in a sport fencing club

[@koalakenbymacy9248]

Elias Geysen i dont think there would be an age restriction i think some clubs would limit it to 18+

[@noahwinters6501]

How does one find out about HEMA events?

[@Gloin79]

where do you live?

[@leviethen]

I imagine it takes a fair bit of investment money to even have the equipment to try starting a group.

[@gurkfisk89]

Not really, if you start small there is not that much need. Buy the most essential things for ourself, a sword simulator and a fencing mask. And let the other people you want to start with do the same. It really isn't any more of an investment than if you would join a group, the only real difference is that you can't borrow stuff.

[@KnightedDawn]

Depends on the weapon. If you're training unarmed, it basically costs nothing. If you want to do longsword, you're looking at a minimum of about $400 to have enough gear (swords/masks/gloves) for two people, which is the bare minimum to start a group. For more people you can always sub dowels until you can get more wasters...

[@Ka0s]

Wow! The kit is expensive.