HEMA Gear for OCHS

Before you purchase any gear we kindly as you to consult with the instructors. As HEMA lacks a global governing body to set safety standards, and with ongoing developments in gear continually improving safety, our opinions on what products are the best for HEMA update regularly. We prefer to personally test gear before recommending anything to our students. In addition there are several brands/items that are accepted in the broader HEMA community, but which OCHS has found to be unsafe for our classes.

  • We understand HEMA is an expensive sport, so we want to make it easily accessible to those just checking it out for the first time. You do not need to buy anything at first. We usually have enough gear for first-timers to take classes and try out the sport. If you decide you really enjoy HEMA and want to start building up your kit below is a list of items we do recommend.

  • Below is a short list of retailers that carry HEMA gear. If items are sold out they can usually be purchased directly from the manufacturer too.

  • For longsword we primarily work from Ringeck Danzig Lew: Long Sword by Stephen Cheney. It is a translation and comparison of three medieval manuscripts on longsword fencing. Because this book is text-only and can be a bit esoteric it may help to get some of the books below as a second reference.

    • Foundational Description of the Art of Fencing: The 1570 Treatise of Joachim Meyer.
      This book is the magnum opus of the renaissance era fencing master Joachim Meyer and is widely considered to be the pinnacle of the German fencing tradition. It was written in 1570 so the language can sometimes be dense and difficult to parse, however it includes five complete weapon systems(longsword, dussack, sidesword, dagger, polearm) so it is well worth the read.

    For rapier we study from the Italian school of fencing, including masters such as Capoferro, Giganti, and Fabris. Books we like are:

    In addition Wiktenauer has an enormous amount of fencing material for free

  • The safest mask for HEMA is without question the Wukusi Cobra. We highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it. It is usually available from SoCal Swords and Purpleheart Armory. If the Cobra is outside your budget, any FIE-rated fencing mask paired with a HEMA mask overlay is sufficient.

    For basic masks we like:

    For basic mask overlays we like:

    On the subject of medieval helmets…

    We do not normally recommend any kind of medieval helmet for most HEMA activities. Instead, consider something like the Wukusi Sallet or Aegis Fencing Mask Overlay. If a blade can pass through the eye slots or faceplate, or under the chin it will not be allowed for any OCHS activity. However, for those of you who specifically want to build a kit and study harnischfechten there are a few standards that must be met in order to pass safety:

    • The eyes slots must be covered in a perforated steel plate and holes in the faceplate cannot not be large enough to allow a sword tip to pass through. (Most SCA helmets with bar grills do not meet this standard, FYI)

    • The faceplate of the mask must be a single piece, must lock, and must not allow for a blade to pass underneath. (E.g.: Two-piece sallets are not acceptable as a sword can pass between the bevor and visor. Bascinets/Armets/Close Helms must have a lock or strap to keep the faceplate down during sparring.)

    • Throats must be protected by an aventail, bevor, falling buffe, or similar.

    • Minimum steel thickness is 16 gauge.

    Please ask us before purchasing a steel helmet if you expect to use it at OCHS.

  • For longsword:

    For saber:

    For Rapier:

    • Any padded leather glove

    On the subject of metal gauntlets…

    We do not recommend metal gauntlets for normal HEMA use. Some mitten-style metal gauntlets can work, but overall most are not made with HEMA in mind. Finger gauntlets especially are not recommended and will not be allowed for longsword sparring.

  • Any rigid athletic cup and fencing chest protector will work for HEMA.

  • SPES Historical Fencing. They are specifically designed for HEMA. SCA and LARP gambesons without Newton ratings are not acceptable for HEMA.

  • Because of the inherent risks involved in longsword fencing, we will not allow any unapproved feders during class or at tournaments. Medium to soft flex are recommended. The list of approved brands are:

    VB/Purpleheart, Kingston Arms, and Age of Craft feders/longswords are not allowed for sparring at OCHS.

  • Castille Armory

    Sigi Forge

    VB/PurpleHeart Gymnasium Saber

  • Castille Armory

    Darkwood Armory

    HF Armory

    Sigi Forge

  • Closed toe shoes are required for class. Trail runners with zero-drop are the most recommended shoe type for HEMA, but most athletic shoes will work fine. We recommend against anything with a heel or with slick soles.

  • While OCHS does not currently offer a dedicated harnischfechten class, we welcome people who have armor and want to show it off. See the sections above on helmets and gauntlets in regards to safety.