Please find the below the comprehensive list of all equipment required for participation in our tournaments:
Steel Simulators:
Tournaments are conducted on a BYOS (Bring Your Own Sword) basis. Organizers will have some spare weapons supplied by themselves, but it is recommended to bring your own.
For Longsword:
- Steel HEMA sparring longsword or federschwert with safe flex, blunt edges and safe point
- Allowed weight range: 1350-1550 grams
- Allowed blade length: 95-100 cm
For Sabre:
- Steel HEMA sparring sabre with safe flex, blunt edges and safe point
- Allowed weight range: 750-950 grams
- Allowed blade length: 83-88 cm
For Sidesword:
- Steel HEMA sparring sidesword with safe flex, blunt edges and safe point
- Allowed weight range: 850-1150 grams
- Allowed blade length: 90-95 cm
Sidesword companion: - Steel HEMA buckler, weight range: 1.25-1.75 kg (no buckler strikes allowed)
- Steel HEMA parrying dagger, weight range: 350-550 grams, allowed blade length: 35-45 cm
Each weapon will be checked before the bout for signs of damage, and flex tested. Any weapon judged likely to behave in too dangerous a manner (too stiff, too much flex etc., unsafe tip, jagged ill-maintained edges, etc.) will be rejected immediately!
Protective Gear:
- Fencing Mask: must be in good condition with no tears, large dents or any other signs of overuse that would make it unsuitable for competition.
- Mask overlay: SPES/Red Dragon or similar overlay for the fencing mask,
- Back of the Head Protection: rigid protector covering back of the head with no significant gaps,
- Throat Protection: rigid throat guard (gorget) or a layered throat protection preventing the blade to go under the bib (3 layers minimum),
- Jacket: well padded HEMA jacket or similar offering good protection against strikes (under plastrons/rigid chest protectors are recommended),
- Elbow Protector: hard shell protection of the elbow joints,
- Knee Protector: hard shell protection of the knee joints,
- Shin Protection: hard shell protection of the shin is required,
- Forearms Protection: additional forearm protection is recommended,
- Gloves: sparring gloves with full level of protection applicable to chosen weapon, eg. Sparring Gloves, SPES heavy gloves etc., (Note: Red Dragon gloves are only acceptable for single handed swords with SPES fingertip protectors highly recommended)
- Groin Guard: Obligatory for men,
- Rigid Chest Protector: Obligatory for women.