HEMA Perspectives: 15 Voices from the Modern HEMA Community
In this article: Meet the 15 HEMA practitioners, instructors, coaches, referees, organizers, and community leaders featured in HEMA MANUAL’s HEMA Perspectives chapter. Discover their different approaches to training, competition, equipment, coaching, clubs, and the future of Historical European Martial Arts. HEMA Is Built by People Historical European Martial Arts is often described through its weapons, historical sources, fencing traditions, and tournaments. But behind all of these elements are people. Practitioners make decisions about how they train, instructors decide how knowledge should be taught, competitors test their skills under pressure, organizers create events, and community leaders help shape the environment in which HEMA develops. This is the idea behind HEMA Perspectives, one of the most distinctive chapters of HEMA MANUAL. Instead of presenting a series of isolated interviews, the chapter takes a thematic approach. Different people answer the same questions about training, competition, equipment, teaching, clubs, events, and the future of HEMA. This makes it possible to compare experiences and opinions directly rather than presenting a single definition of how HEMA should be practiced. The result is a picture of modern HEMA that is necessarily diverse. There is no single path through Historical European Martial Arts, and the people featured in the chapter demonstrate exactly why. Kari Baker Kari Baker is a rapier instructor at Mordhau Historical Combat in Mesa, Arizona, USA. She first encountered HEMA in 2014, returned to active training in 2021, and has since achieved strong results across several weapon systems. Her experience includes longsword, rapier, rapier and buckler, smallsword, dussack, and messer, with multiple appearances among the top 10% of HEMA Ratings competitors. Her involvement extends beyond competition. Kari contributes articles to SwordSTEM, works as a head referee and ring manager at tournaments, and supports other competitors during events. Her perspective therefore connects competitive fencing with instruction, officiating, and community development. Joanna Karolina Bąk Joanna Karolina Bąk represents PGF SALUT Poznań and specialises in sabre. She began training HEMA in 2021 and quickly established herself among the leading competitors in her category. She has earned medals at major Polish and international events, including FechtBerg, Berlin HEMA Cup, Krieger Cup, and Valkyrie Cup. Her approach places particular emphasis on precision, speed, technique, consistency, and understanding personal limits. Her perspective also brings the experience of a younger generation of HEMA competitors who combine competitive development with a conscious and structured approach to training. Aleksander Dynarek Aleksander Dynarek is a competitor and instructor at Mordschlag Łódź and president of the Polish HEMA Federation. He specialises in rapier and rapier and buckler and has competed internationally since 2017, while also teaching rapier and conducting workshops and seminars. His background combines HEMA competition with formal sports fencing instructor qualifications and experience with the Olympic épée. This gives him a perspective that crosses several parts of modern fencing, from coaching and competition to federation development. Piotr Janeczek Piotr Janeczek is an instructor of sabre and sword and buckler at Akademia Szermierzy, a student of Antoni Olbrychski, an international referee, multiple medalist, and vice-president of the Polish HEMA Federation. His journey into historical weapons began through early medieval historical reenactment before moving into HEMA. His experience brings together training, competition, judging, and organizational work. This is particularly valuable when discussing the realities of tournaments and the role of referees in modern HEMA. Miro Lahtela Miro Lahtela is one of the most successful active HEMA competitors in the world. At the time covered by the book, he held the number one position in the world rankings for Mixed Steel Longsword and Men’s Steel Longsword, with more than 800 ranked bouts across tournaments in 15 countries. His approach is strongly focused on clean movement mechanics, structured training, and solid fundamentals. His fencing is based on the early longsword tradition associated with Johannes Liechtenauer, while his interpretations are continuously tested through international competition. Jean-Charles Ize Jean-Charles Ize has more than 30 years of experience in combat sports and is a HEMA and self-defence instructor associated with Frères d’AMHE in France. A former competitor, he now focuses heavily on pedagogy, structured training systems, and measuring student development. His approach combines historical sources with modern training methodology, individualisation, repetition, and measurable progress. He also developed the Dungeon of Fitness project, incorporating elements of gamification into training. Nathan McBride Nathan McBride is the coach and founder of BladeFit Academy in the United States. With more than 16 years of daily weapons training experience, he combines modern sports coaching, physical preparation, and long-term athlete development. His work includes both adults and younger fencers, with structured training systems adapted to different stages of development. His perspective is particularly relevant to questions about coaching, youth development, discipline, and building a supportive training environment. Konrad Kramarz Konrad Kramarz began his fencing journey through Eastern martial arts, including ninjutsu and kendo, before developing a strong interest in sabre. His interest in the weapon is also connected to his family’s military history. He is one of the most decorated historical fencers in Poland and internationally, with more than 85 medals across different competitions and formats. He specialises in historical sabre and sword and buckler and is a competitor and instructor at Mordschlag Łódź. Filip Łakomy Filip Łakomy is the head sabre coach at PGF SALUT and a medalist at competitions in Poland and abroad. He was named the best sabre fencer in the Polish league in 2016 and was selected for the national team in 2026. His additional specialisation is physical preparation, which he uses alongside his competitive experience to develop athletes. His answers in HEMA Perspectives therefore offer an especially practical view of coaching, athletic preparation, injury prevention, and competitive development. Szymon Ożóg Szymon Ożóg is vice-president of the Polish HEMA Federation, owner of Poker Armory, an HEMA weapon manufacturer, and organizer of FechtBerg, one of the largest historical fencing tournaments in Poland and Europe. He is also a ranked longsword competitor and experienced head referee. His perspective adds something different to the chapter: the organizational and logistical side of HEMA, including tournament planning,
Do You Need to Read Historical Treatises to Practice HEMA?
In this article: Discover the role of historical treatises in Historical European Martial Arts, why they are the foundation of HEMA, and why reading them alone is not enough to learn fencing. Understand how historical sources, practical training, and interpretation work together in modern HEMA. Do You Need to Read Historical Treatises to Practice HEMA? One of the questions many beginners ask after discovering Historical European Martial Arts is whether they need to start reading historical fencing treatises immediately. After all, HEMA is based on surviving manuscripts written by historical fencing masters. If those texts are the foundation of the discipline, shouldn’t every practitioner begin there? The answer is both yes and no. Historical treatises are at the heart of HEMA, but they were never intended to function as modern training manuals. They provide the foundation for understanding European martial traditions, yet learning to fence requires much more than reading historical texts. Historical Treatises Are the Foundation of HEMA Unlike many martial arts that have preserved an uninterrupted line of instruction, European martial traditions experienced a break in transmission. Modern HEMA therefore relies on surviving fencing treatises, manuscripts, and illustrated fight books created between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries. These documents are the primary evidence for how historical systems of combat were taught and understood. For this reason, historical sources occupy a unique position within HEMA. They are not optional reading for specialists. They are the reason the discipline exists at all. Without them, there would be no historical foundation from which to reconstruct European martial arts. A Treatise Is Not a Modern Instruction Manual This often surprises beginners. Many people imagine opening a historical manuscript and finding step-by-step lessons similar to those in a modern coaching book. Historical treatises rarely work that way. Their authors wrote for students living in a completely different world. They assumed readers already understood the terminology, the equipment, and the cultural context in which the techniques were used. Descriptions are frequently concise, symbolic, or intentionally cryptic, while illustrations often serve as visual references rather than detailed technical instructions. Reading a treatise without practical experience can therefore be frustrating. It is a little like trying to learn a language using only a historical dictionary. The words are there, but much of their meaning only becomes clear through use. Interpretation Is Part of the Process One of the defining characteristics of modern HEMA is that interpretation is not a flaw in the discipline. It is an unavoidable part of working with historical sources. Different masters wrote in different centuries, different regions, and for different purposes. Many manuscripts contain gaps, ambiguous descriptions, or concepts that can be understood in more than one way. Practitioners must therefore combine historical research with physical experimentation to explore how techniques may have functioned in practice. This is one reason why different clubs sometimes teach the same source in slightly different ways. These differences do not necessarily mean that one interpretation is correct and another is wrong. They often reflect the ongoing process of testing historical ideas through modern training. Fencing Is Learned Through Practice Historical texts can explain concepts, describe positions, and preserve the ideas of past masters. What they cannot do is teach balance, timing, distance, pressure, or the feeling of another person’s blade. HEMA relies on what researchers often describe as embodied knowledge, skills that develop through movement, repetition, and direct interaction with training partners. No matter how carefully a source is written, it cannot replace regular practice under the guidance of experienced instructors. Reading and training are not competing activities. They complement one another. The source provides the historical framework. Training gives that framework physical meaning. Beginners Shouldn’t Feel Pressured Many newcomers worry that they need to understand Liechtenauer, Fiore, Meyer, or other historical masters before attending their first class. In reality, most clubs introduce historical sources gradually as students gain practical experience. Learning fundamental movement, developing safe training habits, and understanding basic concepts usually come first. As practitioners become more confident, historical texts become increasingly valuable because they begin to connect with experiences already developed in the training hall. The treatise has not changed. The reader has. Historical Sources Are Only One Part of Learning Modern HEMA draws knowledge from several interconnected places. Historical manuscripts remain the foundation, but they are supported by experienced instructors, regular club training, seminars, discussions with other practitioners, digital archives, and careful analysis of different interpretations. Even videos and online resources are most useful when treated as supplements rather than replacements for practical training. Understanding HEMA means learning to combine these different sources of knowledge rather than relying on only one of them. Reading Is the Beginning, Not the Destination So, do you need to read historical treatises to practice HEMA? Eventually, yes. But you do not need to become a medieval scholar before picking up a training sword. Historical treatises provide the direction. Your club provides guidance. Training transforms historical ideas into practical skill. It is the combination of all three that defines modern Historical European Martial Arts. Learn More HEMA MANUAL explores the historical sources behind modern HEMA, explains why interpretation is essential, introduces the major fencing traditions and masters, and shows how historical texts, practical training, and club experience work together to create a meaningful path of learning.
Is HEMA a Sport or a Martial Art?
In this article: Explore why Historical European Martial Arts cannot be defined as only a sport or only a martial art. Learn how historical research, physical training, competition, and community come together to shape modern HEMA. Is HEMA a Sport or a Martial Art? One of the most common questions asked by people discovering Historical European Martial Arts is whether HEMA should be considered a sport or a martial art. The answer is not as straightforward as many expect. Some people first encounter HEMA through tournament videos, where competitors fence under modern rules, wear protective equipment, and fight for medals. Others discover it through historical treatises, museums, or manuscripts describing the fighting systems of masters such as Johannes Liechtenauer, Fiore dei Liberi, or Joachim Meyer. These two perspectives can appear contradictory, yet both describe the same discipline. The reality is that HEMA exists at the intersection of history, martial arts, sport, and research. Trying to reduce it to a single category overlooks what makes it unique. More Than Historical Reconstruction A common misconception is that HEMA is simply historical reenactment. Although practitioners study historical sources and seek to understand how European weapons were used, the objective is not to recreate the past exactly as it happened. Historical treatises were written in specific cultural, legal, and military contexts, not as modern coaching manuals. Applying their principles today requires interpretation, experimentation, and adaptation to contemporary training conditions. This is one of the defining characteristics of HEMA. It is a living practice based on historical evidence rather than a theatrical reconstruction of historical combat. A Martial Art Built on Historical Sources At its core, HEMA is a martial art because it studies systems that were originally created for combat. The techniques found in medieval and Renaissance fencing treatises were developed for self-defence, duelling, judicial combat, and warfare. Modern practitioners work to understand not only how these techniques were performed, but also why they were designed in a particular way. Unlike martial arts with an unbroken lineage of instruction, European martial traditions lost their continuous transmission centuries ago. Modern HEMA therefore combines historical research with practical experimentation, treating physical practice as a way of understanding historical knowledge rather than simply copying movements from a book. Why Sport Is Also Part of HEMA At the same time, it would be inaccurate to say that HEMA has nothing to do with sport. Modern competitions have become an important part of the discipline. They allow practitioners to test their interpretations against opponents from different clubs, measure technical effectiveness under pressure, and develop attributes such as timing, endurance, decision-making, and emotional control. However, tournaments should not be mistaken for the discipline itself. Competition is one expression of HEMA, not its definition. Tournament rules are designed to create safe and fair conditions for modern fencing inspired by historical sources. They are not attempts to recreate historical duels exactly as they occurred centuries ago. For some practitioners, competition is a central goal. For others, tournaments are primarily opportunities to test interpretations, exchange ideas, and meet people from different clubs. Many experienced HEMA practitioners never compete at all, choosing instead to focus on historical research, teaching, or technical development. HEMA Is Also a Community Looking only at techniques or tournaments misses another essential part of HEMA. Every practitioner develops within a club. It is there that historical knowledge is transformed into practical skill through regular training, instructor guidance, and interaction with training partners. Clubs teach far more than fencing. They build habits of communication, responsibility, discipline, and mutual respect that make long-term practice possible. The international HEMA community has grown through thousands of local clubs, seminars, workshops, and tournaments. It is this network of practitioners, researchers, instructors, equipment makers, referees, and organisers that allows the discipline to continue evolving. A Discipline That Continues to Evolve Perhaps the most distinctive feature of HEMA is that it is not a finished system. Historical discoveries continue to influence interpretation. New translations of manuscripts appear. Equipment evolves. Tournament formats change. Clubs develop different teaching philosophies, while practitioners constantly test ideas through training and competition. This ongoing dialogue between historical sources and modern experience means that HEMA remains a discipline in continuous development rather than a fixed tradition with one universally accepted method. So, Is HEMA a Sport or a Martial Art? The most accurate answer is that HEMA is both, and more than either. It is a martial art because it studies historical systems of combat. It is a sport because many practitioners test those systems through structured competition. It is also a research practice, a learning process, and an international community connected by a shared interest in European martial traditions. Rather than choosing one definition, HEMA combines all of these elements into a single discipline. Understanding that balance is one of the keys to understanding what Historical European Martial Arts truly are. Learn More HEMA MANUAL explores the foundations of Historical European Martial Arts, explaining how historical sources, practical training, modern competition, club culture, and community all contribute to the development of contemporary HEMA. It provides the context needed to understand why HEMA cannot be reduced to a single definition.
Common Mistakes Every HEMA Beginner Makes
In this article: Discover the most common mistakes beginners make when starting Historical European Martial Arts, why they happen, and how a thoughtful approach to training, equipment, and learning can help you build strong foundations for long-term development. Every Beginner Faces the Same Challenges Starting Historical European Martial Arts is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Within a few days, many beginners find themselves surrounded by videos, equipment reviews, historical treatises, tournament footage, and countless opinions about the “right” way to train. With so much information available, it’s easy to believe that every decision is crucial from the very beginning. In reality, most newcomers experience the same uncertainties, ask the same questions, and make many of the same mistakes. None of them prevent you from becoming a good fencer, but understanding them early can make your first months of training far more enjoyable. Trying to Learn Everything at Once One of the most common mistakes is believing that you need to understand every aspect of HEMA immediately. Beginners often try to study historical sources, learn technical terminology, compare different fencing traditions, research equipment, and watch tournament videos all at the same time. HEMA simply doesn’t work that way. Like any complex discipline, it is built step by step. Every lesson adds another piece to a much larger picture. The goal is not to absorb everything during your first few weeks, but to build a foundation that allows new knowledge to make sense as your experience grows. Let Your Club Guide Your First Decisions Another common mistake is making important decisions before attending regular training. Many people choose a weapon, order expensive equipment, or decide which historical master they want to study long before they understand how their local club trains. In practice, the environment where you learn has a much greater influence on your development than any purchase or online recommendation. Experienced instructors understand the needs of beginners and can help you make informed decisions when the time is right. Starting with guidance rather than assumptions usually saves both money and frustration. Progress Begins With Fundamentals It is natural to be fascinated by swords. They are, after all, what attracts many people to Historical European Martial Arts in the first place. Yet experienced practitioners know that fencing is built on much more than the weapon itself. Good posture, footwork, balance, timing, distance, and control are the skills that allow techniques to work. Beginners who focus on developing these fundamentals often improve more steadily than those constantly searching for advanced techniques or spectacular combinations. The most impressive fencing usually grows from the simplest movements performed well. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others Every training hall includes people with different levels of experience. Some have trained for months, others for years. It is easy to compare your progress with practitioners who appear faster, stronger, or more technically skilled. Doing so often creates unnecessary frustration and unrealistic expectations. HEMA is a long-term discipline. Improvement is measured less by how quickly you win exchanges and more by how consistently you learn, adapt, and build confidence. Every experienced fencer once struggled with the same basics that beginners are learning today. The Community Is Part of the Learning Process New practitioners often think that HEMA is mainly about learning techniques or preparing for competition. What they usually discover instead is a community built around cooperation as much as competition. Good clubs teach more than fencing. They encourage communication, responsibility, respect for training partners, and a willingness to keep learning. These qualities shape practitioners just as much as technical ability. They also create the environment that allows people to train safely and continue improving for many years. The Most Important Step Is Simply to Begin Perhaps the biggest mistake is waiting for the perfect moment to start. Many people spend months researching equipment, comparing swords, reading online discussions, or watching videos because they feel they should know more before attending their first class. The truth is that nobody arrives fully prepared. Every experienced HEMA practitioner began with questions rather than answers. The knowledge, confidence, and understanding come through regular training, not before it. The first lesson is not the end of your preparation. It is the beginning of your journey. Learn More HEMA MANUAL explores the foundations of modern Historical European Martial Arts, helping readers understand equipment, weapon systems, training culture, club life, historical sources, and the practical realities of learning HEMA. It provides the context that helps beginners make informed decisions and avoid many of the common challenges encountered during their first months of training.
What Happens at Your First HEMA Class?
In this article: Learn what to expect during your first HEMA class, what happens before you pick up a sword, what equipment you need, and why your first training session is more about learning the fundamentals than sparring. Your First HEMA Class Is Probably Not What You Expect For many people, the decision to attend a first Historical European Martial Arts class comes with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Will everyone already know what they’re doing? Will you need expensive equipment? Will you be expected to spar with steel swords on your first day? Fortunately, the reality is much less intimidating than many beginners imagine. A well-run HEMA club understands that every experienced practitioner once walked through the door for the very first time. You’ll Probably Spend More Time Learning Than Fighting One of the biggest surprises for newcomers is that the first lesson rarely begins with combat. Most clubs start by introducing the training environment, explaining safety rules, and demonstrating the basic structure of a class. Before learning techniques, beginners are usually introduced to movement, posture, footwork, and the safe handling of training weapons. Rather than trying to “win” exchanges, the goal is to build good habits from the beginning. HEMA is a skill that develops over time. Like learning a musical instrument or a new language, strong fundamentals make everything that follows much easier. You Don’t Need to Own Equipment Many people postpone their first class because they think they need to buy a sword, mask, or full protective kit beforehand. In reality, most HEMA clubs maintain a selection of loaner equipment specifically for beginners. Masks, gloves, synthetic or steel training weapons, and other essential items are often available for newcomers during their first weeks or even months of training. This allows you to discover whether HEMA is right for you before making significant purchases. Every Club Has Its Own Training Culture Although HEMA is built on historical sources, no two clubs are exactly alike. Some groups place greater emphasis on historical interpretation and technical precision. Others focus more on sporting competition, while many combine both approaches. What matters most during your first class is not finding the “perfect” club but finding an environment where instructors communicate clearly, safety is taken seriously, and beginners feel comfortable asking questions. A good club doesn’t simply teach techniques. It helps people become part of the HEMA community. You Won’t Be Expected to Know the Terminology One of the things that intimidates newcomers is hearing unfamiliar words such as Zornhau, Ochs, Prima, Moulinet, or Custodia. Don’t worry if none of these terms make sense yet. Every practitioner started in exactly the same place. Learning the vocabulary of HEMA happens naturally through regular training. Over time, historical terminology becomes part of the shared language used by instructors, training partners, and historical sources. Sparring Usually Comes Later Many people first discover HEMA through tournament videos or exciting sparring clips online. Those videos represent only a small part of training. Before practitioners fence freely, they spend many hours developing control, coordination, distance management, and the ability to work safely with a partner. Depending on the club and the discipline, beginners may not begin free sparring until they have demonstrated a basic understanding of safety and control. The objective isn’t to rush into fighting. It’s to build the skills that make meaningful fencing possible. Your First Training Session Is Only the Beginning Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that nobody expects you to be good on your first day. HEMA is a long-term discipline built on curiosity, patience, and continuous learning. The first class is simply the moment you stop watching from the outside and begin becoming part of the community. Everything else develops one training session at a time. Learn More HEMA MANUAL explains how to find the right club, what to expect when entering the HEMA community, how training is organised, why club culture matters, and how beginners gradually progress from introductory classes to regular practice and responsible sparring.
Which HEMA Weapon Should You Start With?
A Question Every Beginner Eventually Asks Sooner or later, every newcomer to Historical European Martial Arts asks the same question: Which weapon should I start with? The internet is full of opinions. Some people insist that longsword is the obvious choice. Others recommend rapier for its precision, sabre for its speed, or sword and buckler for its rich historical tradition. The truth is that there is no universal answer. Choosing your first HEMA weapon is not about finding the “best” weapon. It’s about finding the one that makes the most sense in your particular situation. Start With Your Club, Not Your Favourite Sword Many beginners discover HEMA through YouTube videos, historical films, or social media. It’s natural to become fascinated by a particular weapon before ever stepping into a training hall. However, your first weapon should rarely be chosen based on what looks most exciting online. The most important factor is the club where you train. Every HEMA club develops its own areas of expertise. Some focus primarily on longsword, while others specialise in rapier, sabre, or sword and buckler. Training with experienced instructors and a group practising the same discipline will always provide a better learning experience than trying to follow your favourite weapon in isolation. HEMA is learned with people, not with algorithms. Every Weapon Offers a Different Experience One of the greatest strengths of HEMA is its diversity. Each weapon represents a different historical tradition, tactical approach, and way of thinking about fencing. Longsword is the most widely practised discipline and often the easiest entry point into the international HEMA community. Its popularity means there are more clubs, tournaments, seminars, and educational resources available than for most other weapons. Rapier rewards patience, precision, and careful distance management. Rather than relying on powerful cuts, it emphasises timing, point control, and tactical decision-making. Historical sabre combines dynamic footwork with fluid cutting mechanics. Depending on the tradition being studied, it may also reflect strong military influences and a different rhythm of fencing. Sword and buckler represents one of the oldest surviving European fencing traditions. It introduces a unique relationship between weapon and shield, encouraging active defence and close-range decision-making. None of these disciplines is inherently better than the others. They simply ask different questions of the practitioner. Your Goals Matter More Than Trends Before choosing a weapon, ask yourself a different question: Why do you want to practise HEMA? Some people are fascinated by historical research and source interpretation. Others enjoy competition, while many are simply looking for an engaging physical activity and a welcoming community. Your goals will naturally influence which weapon feels most rewarding over time. Fortunately, your first choice does not have to be your last. Many experienced practitioners eventually train multiple disciplines, discovering that skills developed in one weapon often improve their understanding of another. Don’t Rush to Buy Your First Sword Choosing a weapon and buying one are two different things. One of the most common beginner mistakes is purchasing a steel simulator before gaining enough experience to understand what actually suits their training. Most clubs provide loaner weapons, allowing newcomers to try different disciplines before making a financial commitment. This not only helps avoid expensive mistakes but also gives practitioners the opportunity to experience differences in balance, handling, and training methodology firsthand. The best first sword is often the one you don’t buy immediately. There Is No Wrong Starting Point Perhaps the most reassuring thing for beginners is this: There is no perfect first weapon. Whether your journey begins with a longsword, a rapier, a sabre, or a sword and buckler matters far less than training consistently with good instructors and an active club. Your understanding of HEMA will continue to evolve, and your interests may evolve with it. The weapon is only the beginning. The real journey is learning how history becomes modern practice. Learn More HEMA MANUAL explores the history, characteristics, historical traditions, modern training applications, and equipment requirements of longsword, rapier, sabre, and sword & buckler. It also explains how weapon simulators, clubs, and training goals influence the choices practitioners make throughout their HEMA journey.
What Equipment Do You Need to Start HEMA?
In this article: Learn what equipment you actually need for your first HEMA training session, why buying a sword is rarely the best first purchase, how experienced practitioners approach equipment planning, and what beginners should consider before investing in protective gear. You Need Less Than You Think One of the first surprises many newcomers encounter is that getting started in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is often much easier than they expected. After watching tournament footage, sparring videos, or event photos, it’s easy to assume that you need a steel sword, a full protective kit, and a significant budget before stepping onto the training floor. In reality, most HEMA clubs understand that beginners are still exploring the discipline and often provide loaner equipment during the first weeks or even months of training. For your first class, comfortable sports clothing, indoor training shoes, and a willingness to learn are usually all you need. Why Buying a Sword First Is Often a Mistake The temptation to immediately purchase your first sword is completely understandable. Historical weapons are fascinating, and many people begin browsing equipment stores before attending a single training session. However, experienced HEMA practitioners often give exactly the opposite advice: don’t buy a sword first. The reason is simple. At the beginning of your journey, you don’t yet know what kind of fencer you want to become. You may be convinced that longsword is your weapon of choice, only to discover a few weeks later that sabre, rapier, or sword and buckler suits your interests far better. You may join a club that follows a particular tradition, training methodology, or equipment standard that differs from your expectations. A purchase that seemed obvious on day one can quickly become an expensive lesson. Before investing in a weapon simulator, spend some time understanding your training environment, your goals, and the discipline you want to pursue. Training First, Equipment Second Most experienced instructors recommend a different approach: invest in training before investing heavily in equipment. Attend classes. Learn how your club operates. Borrow equipment when possible. Ask questions. Observe what experienced practitioners use and, more importantly, why they use it. Over time, you’ll discover that building a HEMA kit is not about buying everything at once. It’s a gradual process shaped by your training frequency, weapon system, competitive ambitions, and personal preferences. For most practitioners, protective equipment becomes the first priority, while weapon simulators and more specialised gear are added as experience grows. There Is No Universal Shopping List One of the most common beginner misconceptions is the belief that there is a single “perfect” equipment list for everyone. HEMA is simply too diverse for that. The needs of a longsword competitor may differ significantly from those of a rapier specialist or someone focused on historical sabre. Different clubs, tournaments, and training environments may also have different requirements regarding safety equipment and weapon simulators. The best equipment is rarely the most expensive or the most popular online. It’s the equipment that supports your training goals, fits your local community’s standards, and allows you to train safely and consistently. HEMA Is About More Than Equipment It’s easy to focus on swords, masks, and protective gear because they’re visible and tangible. Yet equipment is only one part of the experience. At its core, HEMA is about learning historical martial traditions, developing practical skills, engaging with historical sources, and becoming part of a community of practitioners who share similar interests. Your equipment will grow over time. Your understanding of the art will grow with it. The most valuable investment a beginner can make is not a sword or a jacket, but time spent training, learning, and building connections within the HEMA community. Learn More For a detailed breakdown of masks, jackets, gloves, protective equipment systems, safety standards, weapon simulators, and equipment planning strategies, see Chapters V and VI of HEMA MANUAL. HEMA MANUAL is a 220-page hardcover guide to Historical European Martial Arts, covering historical sources, weapon systems, protective equipment, training culture, tournaments, clubs, and the international HEMA community.