Here you'll find a compendium of HEMA resources, compiled for use by IFG members. Currently, this is a work in progress so please excuse any blank areas.
Gear Makers
Weapon makers
Sigi Forge
Slovakian swordmaker specializing in safe, effective HEMA swords. They offer a wide variety of weapons, and are widely used by the community.
Castille Armory
PNW-based HEMA safe custom fencing weapons. Their offerings are modular, heavily customizable, and their rapiers are some of the best.
Regenyei Armory
Hungarian weapons manufacturer. Their standard feders are safe, durable, competitively priced, and widely used.
Krieger Historical Weapons
Polish swordmaker carrying all types of HEMA safe weapons. IFG highly recommends their messers in particular.
Albion Swords
Primarily a sharp swordmaker, and among the best quality production sharps available. Limited feders and blunts offered.
Protective gear makers
Wukusi Armory
Manufacturer of the very protective Cobra mask and Rattlesnake mask overlay, among other things.
HF Armory
Ukranian makers of a wide variety of HEMA gear noted for its budget friendly value.
Vytis Gear
Manufacturer of durable and protective gorgets widely used among the HEMA community.
PBT Fencing
Sport fencing manufacturer with some HEMA offerings, including and especially their HEMA masks.
Absolute Force Fencing
Sport fencing manufacturer with HEMA offerings such as masks, overlays, gloves and more.
Wintertree Crafts
Maker of durable metal gorgets.
Prometheus Packs
Maker of a hema backpack and lightweight, protective forearm protectors.
Art by Amber Damare
Artist who makes kydex forearm protectors.
MAC Armory
Maker of hard plastic joint protection, plastrons, and plastic breastplates.
Lorica Clothing
Maker of armor-inspired HEMA rashguards.
Ox and Plow
Maker of HEMA inspired rashguards and other HEMA gear.
Places to buy
Purpleheart Armory
Large US – Based supplier providing a wide range of fencing equipment, from swords to protection.
Helpful info
Club guides and guidelines
German Fencing Terminology
In the German longsword traditions we typically refer to techniques by the names they were given in the manuals, which are in middle high German. (MHG or Mittelhochdeustch) This list is not exhaustive, just the German terms that get used the most.
Kunst des Fechtens / KdF – The Art of Fighting ( The longsword tradition we teach here )
Vor – Before ( the strike )Indes – During ( the strike )Nach – After ( the strike )
Starck – Strong (of the blade)
Schwech – Weak (of the blade)
Zufechten – Beginning of exchange
Krieg – Literal “war” – middle of exchange
Abzug – “Retreat” – end of exchange
Vom Tag – From the Day ( guard )Ochs – Ox ( guard )Alber – Fool ( guard )Pflug – Plow ( guard )Nebenhut – Side ( guard )
Langenort – Longpoint
Schrankhut – Barrier ( guard )
“Hew” is synonymous with “cut” here. You will also see “hau” written as “haw” often – same thing.Oberhau – Over HewUnterhau – Under HewZornhau – Wrath HewKrumphau – Crooked HewZwerchau – Lateral HewScheilhau – Squinting Hew
Scheitelhau – Scalp Hew
Nachreisen – Pursuit
Ansetzen – Set on
Absetzen – Set offSchiessen – ShootingAbschneiden – Cut OffVersetzen – Set Aside ( parry )
Überlaufen – Overrunning
Durchwecseln – Changing Through
Zucken – Twitching
Durchlaufen – Running through
Hände Drüken – Hand pressing
Hangen – Hanging
Winden – Winding
Books to read
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Videos to watch
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Websites to browse
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Friends of the club
A non exhaustive list of local PNW clubs we've fenced and hung out with
Bridge City Blades
South East Portland based club teaching Angelo’s saber, Bolognese sidesword, Italian rapier, i.33 sword and buckler, and Italian longsword.
Luminous Movement
Northwest Armizare
Sherwood, OR based club teaching Italian longsword, armored combat, and Georgian sword and buckler.
Seize the Vor
Lonin League
Masterless Fencing
Eugene based club with a focus on longsword, but also studying messer, sidesword, and sword and buckler.
Valley's Heart HEMA
Corvallis based club with a focus on German KDF (Kunst des Fechtens), as well as other weapon sets.
Seven Swords Academy
Tacoma based school teaching Longsword, Sword & Buckler, Dussack, Messer, Spear, Staff, Grappling and Dagger, Single-stick, and Sabre.
Kulshan HEMA
Bellingham, WA based club specializing in 15th-16th century longsword and other historical weapon instruction.
Snohomish Dueling Society
The Historical Combat Collective
Western Canadian collective of schools practicing a variety of styles and weapons, including longsword, rapier, sword & buckler and sabre.
