Beginning students do not need to own any equipment, except for a fencing mask (as noted below). NYHFA will provide you with everything you need until you decide if you want to commit to the study of HEMA, at which point you will need to buy your own equipment.
UPDATE: All NYHFA members who wish to engage in practice are required to own their own fencing mask. A loaner mask will be available to new people who attend an introductory practice session. Three weapon masks are highly recommended, and required for bouting.
Fencing masks can be purchased here: Blade Fencing
Jump to recommended vendors list - Swords
Jump to recommended vendors list -Miscellaneous Equipment
Wasters
We no longer use wasters, except as loaner swords for new students. We have switched to the use of rebated steel swords (aka blunts), which behave much more like real swords.
Blunts
Steel swords with rebated edges are safe to use in training and behave much like real swords. They are not simply dulled versions of sharp swords, but are designed from the ground up for safe use in drills and bouting (with heavy protective gear). We believe that a good blunt is the single most important investment that a HEMA student can make in his or her training.
The following are our recommendations for blunt training swords:
Best: Arms and Armor Fechterspiel, Albion Meyer or Liechtenauer
Good for the money: Hanwei Tinker Blunt Longsword
If you can’t afford anything else: Hanwei Federschwert or Practical Longsword
Sharps
The word “sharps” is sometimes used to refer to real (e.g. sharp) swords. Although useful only for solo practice and test cutting, the handling of a real sword instills respect and a deeper understanding of the principles of swordsmanship. The use of a real sword requires the utmost control, concentration, discipline and attention to detail. NYHFA does not engage in or condone any form of partnered drills or bouting with sharp swords, and doing so, even on your own time, is grounds for dismissal from the group.
Bouting (Sparring) Simulators
NYHFA engages in occasional bouting, for which we use a variety of weapon simulators. Among them are modified shinai, padded swords and steel blunts. NYHFA members are not required to have their own weapon simulators. Bouting is optional and only those members who wish to participate should do so.
Safety Equipment
Initially, safety equipment is not required (except for a fencing mask), though you may wear whatever makes you comfortable. As you progress to the use of blunts, a pair of leather gloves is highly recommended. For bouting, the type of equipment used will depend on the weapon simulator you are bouting with, and ranges from fencing masks and leather gloves to full harness (plate armor).
Recommended Equipment Vendors
We are fortunate in this day and age to have a wide variety of quality equipment available at reasonable prices. Here you will find links to recommended equipment manufacturers and retailers with whom our members have had favorable dealings. There are many other artisans, retailers and manufacturers that offer excellent products and services, but only those that we have personal experience with will be listed here.
Swords
Albion Swords – manufacturers and retailers of high quality recreation swords and armor. Albion swords are designed by world renowned sword smith and researched Peter Johnsson for an unparalleled degree of authenticity. These are some of the finest production swords available today and are highly recommended by NYHFA as both weapons for the martial artist and show pieces for the serious collector.
Arms and Armor – manufacturers and retailers of high quality reproduction weapons and armor. Arms and Armor offers a large selection of superb swords, daggers and pole arms and are willing to take on custom projects. NYHFA currently uses their Fechterspiel longsword trainers and we are very fond of them and recommend them highly.
Miscellaneous Equipment
Purpleheart Armoury – although NYHFA no longer uses wasters, we still rely on several of the high quality products available from Purplehart Armory, such as their rondel dagger wasters and poleaxes. Purpleheart Armory is highly recommended by NYHFA.
Revival Clothing – makers and retailers of high quality medieval style clothing and arming wear. Revival clothing makes what is commonly believed to be the best off-the-rack gambesons on the market today. Their linen gambeson is highly recommended by NYHFA for protection during bouting.
