r/Hema

I've had a soft spot for spears for a long time and recently watched a video of some mixed-arms combat. The paricipants were untrained with their spears, but it got me thinking. Before I get excited, I wanted a sanity check. It seems to me that very few people train or regularly spar with spears and almost everyone favors swords. Searching around my area (Midwest US), I don't see any groups that even offer spear training. I don't have much passion for swords if I'm being honest. The idea of learning to be an effective and skilled spear fighter is probably just fantasy, right?

Long story short they sent me an Italian foil instead of the saber I ordered and have not responded to any communication avenues...

Did I get scammed? Is this a reputable vendor? should I just get a charge back through my credit card? I paid for a 500$ saber and got a 100$ foil

I recently got into Hema but come from a long background in Olympic fencing. Being used to already very light weapons using Hema sabres and rapiers were quite a challenge but also came naturally in a sense. I know a rapier is a really thrust centric sword but I can’t for life of me make a singular fast cut in any way, it feels like it moves like truck and it feels like it can’t really do anything. If it’s any help I’m using the HF club rapier. Got any tips? Is it my lack of technique? Or that I’m too used to Olympic? Or is this to be expected?

Hi everyone,

I’m considering the SPES brand for my HEMA gear, but the recent feedback has been pretty bad in terms of quality and durability. I’m hearing more and more that people are complaining about products they’ve bought recently, even on the international scene. How true do you think this is? Has the quality really changed?

By the way, as an EU resident, where should I shop right now, and which brand should I buy?

Recently had a couple of bouts with a friend where I didn't wear a long sleeve shirt under my fencing jacket, and realised my mistake afterwards because the sweat and tight fit caused it to suction fit to my arms so much I had to get help to take it off. Felt like a proper knight then, needing a squire to take off my kit.

But it did lead me to wonder about good and bad clothing for HEMA training, and I am curious:

What kind of shirts do you usually wear underneath your jackets? Are there certain brands you swear by or just generic? Cotton? Linen? Synthetic? Au naturelle? Baby powder?

I want to fence greatsword but I heard people are weary of doing it in anything less than full harness. I am too broke to consult an armorer, and I sadly am not a famous YouTuber so people wont send me gifts. so I got the idea of making my own armor from Home Depot sheet metal and junkyard scrap metal. I wonder how hard could it be. All I would need is my measurements, a blowtorch, a welder, and material. So would scrap/sheet metal harness work, how hard would it be to make it, and how do I even make it?

Hey I’m a Fiore Italian longsword guy who wants to get into Joachim Meyer’s rapier/sidesword system, however none of the clubs around me nor my club does anything really Joachim Meyer related, is there something I can do or sources/online courses I can use?

i have a wukusi feder. those handles are mega big. nearly 14 inches or 35.56 cm.

ive long wondered why historical longswords seemed to have much shorter handles in general. so i choked up on the grip and held it as if the handle was more like a 10 inch (25 cm) handle. it felt like a shorter handle made cutting to more extreme lines of attack easier, my edge alignment truer.

i certainly can be imagining it but i noticed the muscle groups in my arm seem to be used in different ways why i use a long handle vs short handle.

yes of course people had to wear longswords on their belt and a shorter handle would be more comfortable, but im not so convinced that it is the only reason as to why so many historical examples have shorter grips.

curious if anyone has had similar thoughts or experiments on shorter handles.

I was thinking of getting it, either paper or digital, do you think it's useful for someone who considers himself already experienced and well-read?

Hi!

So I'm looking into getting my first jacket and pants for longsword!

But with so many options I get very confused, does anyone have any good tips or recommendations?

Thanks!

I'm completely new to this. No martial arts background, never picked up a sword. I want to learn longsword properly and I have a few questions.

First, what should I buy. I've seen people talk about feders and synthetic swords but I don't really know the difference or what's good for someone starting out. I don't want to drop a lot of money on something wrong. Should I get a synthetic trainer first or go straight for a steel feder. Any specific recommendations would help.

Second, what sources should I study from. I keep seeing names like Meyer and Liechtenauer mentioned but I have no idea where to begin or what's actually beginner friendly. Are there books, modern interpretations or YouTube channels you would point a new person to.

Third and this is the part I'm most unsure about. Once I have the sources how do I actually apply them. I can read a manual but I don't know how to turn that into real training. How do you practice alone if there's no club near you. What does a basic training session even look like for a beginner. Footwork, guards, cuts, in what order.

For context I don't know yet if there's a HEMA club in my area but I'll look into it. If solo training is realistic I'd like to know how to structure it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Tried longsword fencing / HEMA for the first time recently and honestly expected it to feel more like “just a sport”.

What surprised me most was how much history, culture and community seemed connected to it. It almost felt like stepping into a completely different world for a few hours.

For people who stayed in HEMA long term:
what keeps pulling you back personally?

The competition?
Historical aspect?
Technical depth?
Community?
Something else?

Curious because my first impression was very different from what I expected.