Channel Title: Academy of Historical Fencing Channel Description: A martial arts channel run by the two instructors and co-founders (The Thomas Brothers) of the Academy of Historical Fencing. Here you will find all manner of videos relating to the practice of historical European swordsmanship, from lessons to equipment reviews, sparring footage and articles. Whether you are an armchair general, a martial arts fanatic, a historian, theatrical fencer or a curious passer by, we hope you enjoy the channel. We have been training since the mid '90s and formed the Academy in 2006 from the core members of our previous group, Gwent Historical Sword Club. The AHF has two schools that train in Newport (South Wales, UK) on Fridays (Caerleon Sports Hall) and Bristol (England, UK) every Wednesday (Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre). Visit the clubs page for more information. The school is run by a group of like minded martial artists looking to develop their skills and knowledge in a safe and relaxed environment whilst also sharing knowledge with like minded people. <video> STEEL 3D Printed Sword Hilts - by Pink Mouse Designs Description: These 3D printed stainless steel hilts were designed and can be purchased from Pit Bianco who runs Pink Mouse Designs. You can see his products and order them through his Facebook page, or Insta as linked below https://www.instagram.com/pima.designs/ You can purchase the Swordshop.ca exclusive design that was commissioned from Pit at this link - https://www.swordshop.ca/product/transitional-rapier-hilt-steel-/124?cs=true&cst=custom </video> <video> Review - Viktor Berbekucz langes messer for HEMA (light version) Description: Our latest review of the Viktor Berbekucz langes messer for HEMA (light version). This is one of two HEMA models currently offered. This particular example has been used for numerous fights, and has proven tough and reliable, as well as agile and fun to use. https://www.swordsviktor.com/spd/GSZM26_lightHEMA/Langes-messer-for-HEMA-light-version From the website: Blade length: 650 mm Full length: 860 mm Balancepoint: ~ 6 cm (3 mm blade thickness) Weight: ~800 g (3 mm blade thickness) Blade width: 30/13 mm (guard/point) Material: 51CrV4 steel, tempered </video> <video> Sword-Shield Hybrid - Fighting with the Lantern Shield! Description: Lantern shields are a fascinating historical shield and weapon. In their simplest form they were simply a shield that you could hang a lantern from to see at night whilst still having the defence of a shield. However some evolved into the more famous examples such as depicted in this video. Note that they were named for carrying lanterns, but that does not mean they were only used or carried at night. Here we see how it works as a offhand defensive and offensive arm in a daylight fight. </video> <video> Messer vs Longsword - Free Sparring Exhibition Description: This video is not intended to prove which is a better weapon and is not a scientific comparison, it is merely a fun exhibition match up between two weapons we commonly teach and practice with at the Academy of Historical Fencing. The messer is a VB Light. The longsword is a Regenyei standard. The messer user here is Michael, one of the instructors and founders of the AHF. Jordan using the longsword has nine years of HEMA experience. Both are practitioners of both weapons. </video> <video> SWORD SHIELD - is it a wonder weapon? Using lantern shield for first time. Description: Lantern shields are a fascinating historical shield and weapon. In their simplest form they were simply a shield that you could hang a lantern from to see at night whilst still having the defence of a shield. However some evolved into the more famous examples such as depicted in this video. Note that they were named for carrying lanterns, but that does not mean they were only used or carried at night. Here we see how it works as a offhand defensive and offensive arm in a daylight fight. The lantern shield in this video was custom made by us and is not commercially available. Links to previous sparring footage using the lantern shield - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGnqhj3qx-A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE8k5eOXGnI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZjBoOWUwg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h6PV2FMyjY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsA559u6Rc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfHPIV1wnf4 </video> <video> WARHAMMER vs MACE - testing the Dominus Gladius trainers Description: Dominus Gladius make an excellent range of synthetic training weapons. Here we put their warhammer and mace to the test. </video> <video> Poleaxe sparring with tiny poleaxes! Featuring training heads by Dominus Gladius. Description: Poleaxes came in many sizes, and sometimes the line can blur between warhammers and pole axes. You might also call what we use here pole hammers, and they are intended to be Lucerne hammer heads, though being nice and light we decided to mount them up as very short pole axes, a size of which often appears in period artwork, but is not often practiced today. Whether axe bladed or with hammer head, these were collectively known as poleaxes in the fighting treatises. This was filmed at Fightcamp Skirmish, 2024. Link to manufacturer of the training heads - https://dominusgladius.com/ The total length of these weapons nis 55"/140cm. </video> <video> HFA Black Prince Glove Review - An epic new HEMA glove? Description: The gloves can be purchased here - https://hf-armory.com/en/shop/protectors/hand-protection/hema-gloves-black-prince/ </video> <video> Dual wielding - Fighting with Paired Swords Description: Paired sidesword sparring. We are currently working through a month long training block on the paired swords according to Marozzo, though we have worked from other sources on this before including Manciolino and Godinho. We are each using one Malleus sidesword and one Kvetun Sidesword no.5. </video> <video> The Superior Fencing SF Charles de Blois HEMA Jacket 800N in medieval Brocade material Description: Today we take a look at the Superior Fencing SF Charles de Blois HEMA Jacket 800N in medieval Brocade material. This is a light to medium weight fencing jacket inspired by the Pourpoint of Charles de Blois. From the website: Comes in 800N certified puncture-resistant fabric. Upon request, it is also available in 350N certified puncture-resistant fabric for $144. Interior pockets with removable foam protectors provide additional protection for the torso and arms. The advanced ventilation system, with mesh on the back, allows for excellent air circulation, reducing heat significantly during training. It features a double-closure (velcro + zipper). Mounting points for protectors. Mid-thigh length. Advanced 3D air mesh padding. Micromesh moisture-wicking lining. </video> <video> Sparring with THICK Short Swords, or Cinquedea Description: Here we are fencing with type XIV arming swords made by Paul Binns, though from a personal perspective this training sword best represents the larger types of Cinquedea. Please excuse the wind noise as this was an impromptu recording during the Fightcamp 2024 event. These swords have 66cm blade length and weight a little over 1.2kg. </video> <video> Longsword vs Sabre - Free Sparring Exhibition Description: This is an anachronistic pairing of two common HEMA weapons that intrigues many people. In fact although the sabre here is a late 18th century design, it is not too dissimilar to many hangers, dussacks and falchions that were in use during the days of the longsword, and so it is not as anachronistic as the longer bowl hilt gymnasium sabre vs longsword match ups. This video is not intended to prove which is a better weapon and is not a scientific comparison, it is merely a fun exhibition match up between two weapons we commonly teach and practice with at the Academy of Historical Fencing. The sabre is a Black Fencer steel generation 1796 infantry model. The longsword is an Aureus Alexander III. The longsword user here is Michael, one of the instructors and founders of the AHF. Jordan using the sabre has nine years of HEMA experience. Both are practitioners of both weapons. </video> <video> Sickle Combat - Sparring Highlights Description: As a Historical Fencing school we mostly focus on swordsmanship as well as some pole weapon usage, but occasionally we throw in some of the more unusual weapons. The sickle was a simple agricultural tool that was sometimes used as an improvised weapon. Paulus Hector Mair went one step further than this and dedicated a large section to the use of it as a weapon in his fencing treatise. Here we spent one training session getting our fencers up to speed on the use of the sickle according to Mair and then let them go at it. The training sickles are made by Mac Armor. </video> <video> Naval Boarding Actions - HEMA melee games Description: Using a bit of imagination and ingenuity we put together a series of melee games based upon Pringle Green's 1812 manual on the attack and defence of ships in boarding actions. For a free copy of Pringle Green's manual, visit - swordfight.uk </video> <video> HEMA Sabre Buyer's guide 2025 Description: Are you looking for a new military sabre trainer for HEMA practice? You have come to the right place! Here we go through an honest and detailed look at the majority of the models on the market today. Please note that all measurements of the swords in this video were taken on the day of filming of the actual swords shown. Flex tests were conducted by a common current method where a sword is placed vertically on a weighing scale, the scale is then zeroed, you push down on the sabre until you reach approx 10cm of flex and then take the weight displayed on the scale. </video>

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Description

A martial arts channel run by the two instructors and co-founders (The Thomas Brothers) of the Academy of Historical Fencing. Here you will find all manner of videos relating to the practice of historical European swordsmanship, from lessons to equipment reviews, sparring footage and articles. Whether you are an armchair general, a martial arts fanatic, a historian, theatrical fencer or a curious passer by, we hope you enjoy the channel.

We have been training since the mid '90s and formed the Academy in 2006 from the core members of our previous group, Gwent Historical Sword Club. The AHF has two schools that train in Newport (South Wales, UK) on Fridays (Caerleon Sports Hall) and Bristol (England, UK) every Wednesday (Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre). Visit the clubs page for more information. The school is run by a group of like minded martial artists looking to develop their skills and knowledge in a safe and relaxed environment whilst also sharing knowledge with like minded people.

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