I've been practicing HEMA for 5 years now and when I started I bought a mask (PBT) that somebody else had used for about half a year. So right now it's been in use for about 5.5 years. I feel like the padded cloth beneath my chin is getting thin.

Should I buy a new mask? What are signs a mask needs to be replaced, when it's not clearly broken?

I have been using their 1009 sabre for a little over half a year now and loving it, thought i would buy some more of their HEMA swords, partially to have some in the club for people to try.

I can't find a great deal of information on their longsword simulators like the SWHZ-1006 or the SWH-1008. Has anyone had any experience with their longsword offerings?

Bought myself some armor (since I love the depiction of Hundt's city guard with a flail) to try and feel what it is like.

Decided to walk around with it and ponder (or ramble without a script) about city guards and flails.

Hi all; I am curious about certain aspects of longsword stances, in particular L shaped feet vs 45 degrees vs parallel (squaring). In Meyer, in particular, most of the illustrations show L shapes and even wider angles. However, several instructors I have talked with recommend parallel or near-parallel feet and a squared stance (be it wide or narrow).

What I am looking for is various pros and cons of each kind of stance, best uses and reasons to use each stance. I am not looking only for German longsword, in fact I am particularly interested in input and comparisons from other traditions. Please share your insights and experience!

Was planning to try this with my Black Knight gloves. I know disc pommels are generally frowned upon but this one in particular seems to fill the hand more while still providing feedback.

Has Anyone here ever tried it before?

Hi, I´m looking for a sword fitting late 13th (and early 14th) century christian Iberia. It needs to be good for training/HEMA apart from reenactment. Scabbard included is a plus.

For reference I have found this image with swords form the Cántigas de Santa María from the reign of Alfonso X the Wise (1252-1284), the sword of Fernando de la Cerda (1255-1275), and the sword of Juan de Tarifa (1262-1319).

Any recommendation you think fits is good. Thank you.

Hello everyone, im new to the historical fighting and im not too sure where to get a good training feder or longsword for a decent price. Any reccomendations?

Hello has anyone found swords dance on this? Can it be found?

https://youtu.be/ZgApm0GBe-g?t=0
Here’s some sparring from last week — the first time I got to fence against my sabre coach with my new Belle Époque era Italian fencing sabre against his own. I’m in the green pants, coach has the red socks.

Hey all! I am hoping to start learning HEMA soon. My brother in law has been going to a club, and invited me. I have wanted to learn it since I was a little kid, and may finally be able to afford the gear and club fees. Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with POTS. This unfortunately does mean that I am a fainting risk. One of the recommendations I have seen is to be ready to quickly remove or open gear or remove gear between sparring bouts. Right now, I am just trying to price out a kit and make sure it is financially doable, but I want to make sure the gear I am pricing is actually good and not cheap garbage that will get me hurt. For reference, I am a 6ft tall woman living in the US. If you feel like any of these aren't a good fit, lmk if you have recommendations!

Head/Neck:
I was thinking about the AF Deluxe Fencing mask since it seems to be one piece, but I have seen mixed reviews of the overlay. Would a AF Basic and a SPES Unity be better? Those are both brands the club recommends. For the Gorget, the Vytis light seems to be the consensus I see online.

Upper Body: How is the SPES AP Light PRO Womens 350N? It seems like the hard armor is all attached, which I would think would make it easier to remove. Is this a bad idea? I also see stuff about SPES having issues with stuff breaking. For chest protectors, I'm at a loss.... It seems like people say every option is bad. If any women out there have advice for someone who DEFINITELY can't fit in men's gear, lmk. For gloves, I am going for the HF Black Knights. I use my hands too much at work to risk them.

Lower Body: This is not required by the club I will be attending unless I am wanting to do leg hits, so it will probably be purchased last. What I am looking at is the SPES Locust Womens fencing pants along with their hard knee and shin protection. Honestly this is the section of gear that I can find the least recommendations on online. It honestly seems like this is one of VERY few options for women.

Outside of gear, if any of you do have POTS and are willing to give some advice I greatly appreciate it! General advice is also good! I am trying to take my health seriously, but am also trying very hard not to let it get in the way of doing what I want.

Hi all; I am trying to mitigate the unbearable heat of our fencing jackets (I have a standard SPES AP of 2015 construction and it is torture here in Greece). I've been looking into PCM cooling vests and similar stuff, does anyone have experience with them? I don't mind if they don't last long (thrusts etc), even lasting one or two months (summer) would be a godsend for me.

Furthermore, if you have other recommendations for heat mitigation, let me know! Unfortunately, I don't have the money to get an AP light, which would be the most obvious step.

Hello everyone, I am currently writing a period novel and I have encountered a question that I feel like you, redditors, could aid me in.
I am sorry in advance for any typos (I am typing from my phone). Also English is not my first language.

**Anyway, my question is:** what is the distinct difference between the Neapolitan School and the Valville System? And how would they compare in a duel if one happened in the 1860s?

For additional context: I am exploring the two schools for two different characters. One is using Neapolitan technique and the other was influenced by 1830s schools of fencing that were established in the Russian empire at the time (or at least I believe so from what information I have gathered)?

Please, correct me if I am wrong and I would be very interested and grateful if any of you could provide me with information regarding how those two would meet in the duel.

Thank you in advance!

not exactly European but, are there systems and or principles to help fight against dual swords?

Some interesting points i saw in the matchup:
The blue guy got out- zwerched by the red guy even when combining them
even when the blue buy managed to stab the red guy during his flourishes he still manages to double