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 are the best are constantly in flux. We also 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.

For beginners:

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.

Where to buy equipment:

Some items can be found on Amazon as well.

What we do recomend

Books:

For longsword we primarily work from Ringeck Danzig Lew: Long Sword by Stephen Cheney. 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.

Head Protection:

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 masks we like:

  • Absolute Force Basic and Deluxe HEMA masks

  • Red Dragon Armoury HEMA Mask

For mask overlays we like:

  • SPES Unity

  • Wukusi Rattlesnake

On the subject of medieval helmets…

We do not normally recommend any kind of medieval/early-modern 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, the 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 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.

  • The faceplate of the mask must be a single piece and not allow for a blade to pass under (e.g.: two-piece sallets are not acceptable.)

  • Throats must be protected by an aventail or bevor.

  • Minimum steel thickness is 16 gauge.

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

Hand Protection:

For longsword:

  • HF Armory Black Knight

For saber:

  • HF Armory Black Princes

  • Thokk WeaponMaster  Gauntlets PRO

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.

Groin and Chest Protection:

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

Longswords/Feders:

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.

Shoes:

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.

Medieval Armor

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.