4.1 Apparel requirements for Longsword, Rapier, And Sword and Buckler for All Age Categories
All equipment used by competitors must be approved by the armorer at gear check prior to the start of the tournament, and any item that does not fit the following criteria or is deemed unsafe by the staff will be disallowed and an appropriate substitute must be found. There can be no skin exposed.
4.1.1 Jacket - A minimum of 350N rated fencing jacket is required. If the jacket is not rated at a minimum of 350N, then a 350N or higher rated plastron(s) that protects the chest and armpits must be worn under the jacket.
4.1.2 Pants - Minimum of 350N rated fencing or HEMA knickers or pants, and long socks that do not expose any skin are required. All skin must be completely covered, and there must be complete overlap between the pants and jacket at all times even when lifting arms.
4.1.3 Mask A fencing mask with back of the head protection is required. The back of the head protection can be integrated, or it can be a separate add-on to the mask. Mask must be in in good repair and free from large dents, rust, or other damage that compromises the integrity of the mesh. New for 2024 MASKS ARE SUBJECT TO A PUNCH TEST INSPECTION. Failure to pass the punch test will not fail your mask for use in this competition (but will in 2025).
What is a Punch Test?
4.1.4 Gloves:
Longsword & Sword and Buckler: Protective gloves made for HEMA tournament usage are required. Steel/aluminum gauntlets are also acceptable but must be approved by the armorer. Lightweight gloves are acceptable for the buckler hand, but padded gloves at a minimum are recommended. Light fencing gloves are allowed for the sword hand if a basket hilt that provides full protection of the hand is used.
Rapier and Dagger & Smallsword: Padded or leather light gloves are acceptable for rapier and smallsword; a lacrosse glove or heavier is recommended for the dagger hand.
Singlestick: Padded or leather light gloves are acceptable for the sword hand, and a lacrosse or heavier glove for the off hand.
4.1.5 Required Protection:
- Neck protector
- Elbow protectors
- Forearm Protectors
- Knee Protectors
- Shin Protectors
4.1.6 Recommended Protection:
- Rigid chest protector
- 350N (or higher) plastron
- Groin protection
4.2 Weapon requirements for Longsword, Rapier, and Sword and Buckler for all Categories:
4.2.1 Longsword: Participants must use a steel fencing appropriate for competition. Single or double ring hilts are allowed, however strikes to the ring may be called as a hit to the hand. Blade length must be a maximum of 105 centimeters from the cross guard, have a minimum of 14.5kg flexibility, be in good repair with no jagged nicks or gouges and free from active surface rust, with no s-curve in the blade. A slight bend is acceptable. All blades must be tipped with rubber, leather, bullet casing, or tape, even if the weapon has a rolled or spatulated etc. tip. All weapons will be subject to a flex test by the armorer to determine safety.
4.2.2 Smallsword: Participants must use a weapon with a smallsword or historical foil guard, and with an epee or foil blade no more than 90 cm (a standard size 5 Olympic blade). The blade must be completely free of burrs or heavy nicks. Blades must be free of s-curves or hard, dangerous bends (a slight bend is acceptable.) The blade must have a rubber blunt over the point.
4.2.3 Saber: Participants must use a weapon with a historical saber, spadroon, or baskethilt guard, and with a blade no more than 100 cm, and a weight of no less than 600g and no more than 900. The blade must be flexible, completely free of burrs or heavy nicks. Blades must be free of s-curves or hard, dangerous bends (a slight bend is acceptable.)
4.2.4 Rapier: Participants are required to use a flexible rapier simulator designed specifically for historical rapier fencing. The blade must be flexible on the thrust, blunt and completely free of burrs or heavy nicks. Blades must be free of s-curves or hard, dangerous bends (a slight bend is normal and acceptable.) Blade length must be between 90 – 115 cm (including the ricasso of the blade). Modern fencing weapons (foil, saber or epee) are not allowed. All blades must be capped with a rubber blunt or leather wrapped over the point and affixed with tape, even if the blade has a nail head or rolled over point. The final decision as to whether a weapon is acceptable or not lies with the tournament staff. Hilt design can be any reasonably historical style from the 16th to 17th century. No blatant fantasy designs are allowed.
4.2.5 Dagger: Participants are required to use a flexible dagger simulator designed specifically for historical rapier fencing. The blade must be flexible on the thrust, blunt and completely free of burrs or heavy nicks. Blades must be free of s-curves or hard, dangerous bends (a slight bend is normal and acceptable.) Blade length can be no shorter than 20 centimeters and no longer than 45 centimeters. All blades must be capped with a rubber blunt or leather wrapped over the point and affixed with tape, even if the blade has a nail head or rolled over point. The final decision as to whether a weapon is acceptable or not lies with the tournament staff. Hilt design can be any reasonably historical style from the 16th to 17th century. No blatant fantasy designs are allowed. Cold steel synthetic parrying daggers are acceptable.
4.2.6 Sword and Buckler weapon: Participants will use a steel single hand arming sword, sidesword, or messer intended for HEMA use. The style of sword should represent a historical one handed weapon from the 14th to 17th centuries. Participants may also use a Saber or Broadsword from a later time period for this event as long as it meets the Saber requirements in 4.2.3. Complex and basket hilts are allowed. Longswords held in one hand are not. Modern fencing weapons, blades, or hilts (foil, saber or epee) are not allowed. Blade length may not exceed 97 centimeters from the cross guard. The weapon is expected to be in good repair, filed down with no jagged nicks or gouges in the blade that could rip an opponent’s protective gear, and no dangerous bends or s-curves in the blade (a slight bend is acceptable). All blades must be tipped with rubber, leather, bullet casing, or tape, even if the weapon has a rolled or spatulated etc. tip. All weapons will be subject to a flex test by the armorer to determine safety.
4.2.7 Buckler: Participants may use a buckler that is steel, wooden, hardened leather or synthetic. The buckler may not be larger than 18” in diameter. The buckler may not have any protrusions on the face (such as spikes or anything designed to catch a blade). The buckler must be in good repair free of jagged edges. The buckler, by definition, is a gripped weapon, not strapped or tied to the arm in any way. A buckler that has a strap attached is not necessarily disallowed, but a fencer using the strap to affix the buckler to their arm or body will be immediately disqualified.
Singlestick: The stick must be made of rattan, and be free of splinters and cracks. No hard or soft woods or anything other than rattan. Baskets must fully protect the lead hand from any type of strikes or blows. Any basket determined to be unsafe by tournament staff will not be allowed.