Updated 8/15/2010

To practice Historical European Martial Arts, you will require various equipment to aid you in your studies. This page contains information about equipment and supplies, as well as links to recommended manufacturers and retailers.

New students do not need to bring any equipment with them to their first class. 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.

Required Equipment: All NYHFA members are required to own their own fencing mask and hand protection. A loaner mask will be available to new students who attend an introductory practice session. Three weapon masks are highly recommended, and required for free fencing.

Fencing masks can be purchased here: Blade Fencing

The least expensive hand protection that meets NYHFA standards can be purchased here: Gloves


Uniforms: Members must wear uniforms to practice. New members have one month to get their uniforms. The NYHFA uniform requirement is as follows:

NYHFA Student Uniform t-shirt, available here.
Black sweat pants (no elaborate designs or graphics)
Martial arts shoes*, such as these.


* Any thin, flat soled shoes can be worn. Martial arts shoes are highly recommended.

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 free fencing (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: Valiant I-beam Trainer



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.


Free Fencing(Sparring) Simulators
NYHFA uses a variety of weapon simulators for free fencing. Among them are padded swords, synthetic swords (Rawlkings Mk II) and steel blunts. NYHFA members are not required to have their own weapon simulators.


Safety Equipment
Initially, safety equipment is not required (except for a fencing mask and gloves), though you may wear whatever makes you comfortable. When you start free fencing, you should purchase a quality gambeson(200-400 dollars), or if you cannot afford a gambeson, some motocross armor (approx. 80 dollars on ebay) or similar protective gear.


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 is also the recommonded retailer for the Rawlings Mk II Synthetic free fencing swords.




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 free fencing.