I usually train and teach Arming sword and Longsword with some Arming sword and buckler mixed in. However when I go to tournaments I usually sign up for all competitions (except sabre) as to have more matches and fun.
I wrote a comment about all these brands here, but I think the RU-vid bots thought it was spam or something, as it was never shown. 😔 I wanted a Pike Armory rapier, a (threaded) sidesword and a set of pommels to experiment because of their low prices. I wanted to file in my own decorations and wire the grip. Due to the payment and shipment issues (the entry rapiers are doubled in cost after shipment to my part of Europe), I left that for the future. Black Fencer offers a good inexpensive selection (I love my steel sidesword from them; it feels so much lighter in my hand than the weight would indicate), Regenyei's new line looks good (I recently got a feder from them and I like it much, much more than I was expecting to; my impression of Regenyei shot up), Martin mentioned on a podcast that SIGI will introduce sideswords this autumn (I'm keeping my eyes open). Add in VB, Kvetun (Sidesword 1 should be seen as the standard for the inexpensive pieces; i.e. if you want to introduce a new piece, it should be at least better than this one), Malleus Martialis (I like mine, but it's clear that they cater to the higher end market with more care placed on the finish and all that), and bespoke makers like Balefire Blades (something to get when you know clearly what you want). We are spoiled for choice across the spectrum when it comes to sideswords. So there's no excuse not to study sidesword. 😏
1:40 love it! I'm a sucker for these simple exchanges. If it wasn't part of a tournament, I would have thought it was choreographed. P.S. And that's why we need protection for the back of the head! 🤓
Yea, simple exchanges are better for fencers and judges. They require more tactical play beforehand. All the stalking, moving around and changing positions is kind of cut away in this type of videos. As far as back of the head hit - that’s not ideal, but my opponent was warned several times for exposing it. I even spared him 1-2 strikes there for which I was not awarded points and was told I do have to lightly tap him.
@@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing I assume your "not ideal" statement refers to safety. Honestly, that was more than fine in my book. It wasn't a hard or unwarranted hit, it was in a tournament setting, and people had proper protection. I have seen people spar without a mask overlay, but honestly, that was light sparring with friends during summer, with clear rules not to go for the back of the head. Such a rule in a tournament would be too much, and I am happy the judges told you that you actually have to tap him. Besides, he tried an all or nothing type aggressive attack (hey, no guts, no glory 👍), it didn't pan out, and he got punished for it. And sometimes, exchanges have that cinematic quality to them. This was one of those times. Dodging the thrust while stepping forwards and hitting the back of the head looks great. If it was a read duel, it would have ended the duel. If it was a movie, it would have made for a good scene. In a HEMA tournament, it makes for a good exchange (because let's face it, all the stalking, moving around and changing positions can be boring to watch in a light collage type video; those have their place in a match analysis video).
Yes, this is what I mean by "not ideal". But fortunately it was a light tap so it was ok. And I agree it does look nice :) I save the more tactical set ups for individual matches videos. They can be appreciated or at least put in context there.
@@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing I would like to get one or two rapiers (or a rapier and a threaded pommel sidesword) from Pike Armory and a pommel set and experiment. Plus, since they don't cost a lot, I would be comfortable to play around with customisations; add a wire or leather to the wooden grip, grind edges or file in some decorations here and there on the crossguard, and blacken parts myself. But I'll leave that for the future since I don't want to deal with payment issues and shipping costs (I checked a bit and from what I saw online they got so high that it doubles the cost of an entry rapier at this point). Besides, for sideswords (and more) Black Fencer is still quite affordable, and I can get away with some €30 shipping to my part of Europe. Also, Regenyei is updating their offer, and Martin Fabian was saying in a podcast that SIGI will finally add sideswords to their portfolio around this autumn. So good times for side-sword. Especially when we add VB, Kvetun, Malleus Martialis, or bespoke makers like Balefire Blades, the entire spectrum in price and detail is covered. No excuses not to study sidesword. 😊
I have gotten this one way before. in the last two and a half years it's hard to get them and I am not sure it's really worth it. Regenyei's new offers seem better though I've never really liked any of their swords. I currently recommend them for anyone wanting a sidesword. I have talked with Martin about them and have had some sneak peeks at SIGI so I am waiting for them. When they come out I will get one of theirs and most probably give the Pike to someone else.
@@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing I wrote a comment about all these brands here, but I think the RU-vid bots thought it was spam or something, as it was never shown. 😔 I wanted a Pike Armory rapier, a (threaded) sidesword and a set of pommels to experiment because of their low prices. I wanted to file in my own decorations and wire the grip. Due to the payment and shipment issues (from the net I realised that the entry rapiers are doubled in cost after shipment to my part of Europe), I left that for the future. Black Fencer offers a good inexpensive selection (I love my steel sidesword from them; it feels so much lighter in my hand than the weight would indicate), Regenyei's new line looks good (I recently got a feder from them and I like it much, much more than I was expecting to; my impression of Regenyei shot up), Martin mentioned on a podcast that SIGI will introduce sideswords this autumn (I'm keeping my eyes open). Add in VB, Kvetun (Sidesword 1 should be seen as the standard for the inexpensive pieces; i.e. if you want to introduce a new piece, it should be at least better than this one), Malleus Martialis (I like mine, but it's clear that they cater to the higher end market with more care placed on the finish and all that), and bespoke makers like Balefire Blades (something to get when you know clearly what you want; I'm not there yet). We are spoiled for choice across the spectrum when it comes to sideswords. So there's no excuse not to study sidesword. 😏
I wrote a comment about all these brands here, but I think the RU-vid bots thought it was spam or something, as it was never shown. 😔 I wanted a Pike Armory rapier, a (threaded) sidesword and a set of pommels to experiment because of their low prices. I wanted to file in my own decorations and wire the grip. Due to the payment and shipment issues (the entry rapiers are doubled in cost after shipment to my part of Europe), I left that for the future. Black Fencer offers a good inexpensive selection (I love my steel sidesword from them; it feels so much lighter in my hand than the weight would indicate), Regenyei's new line looks good (I recently got a feder from them and I like it much, much more than I was expecting to; my impression of Regenyei shot up), Martin mentioned on a podcast that SIGI will introduce sideswords this autumn (I'm keeping my eyes open). Add in VB, Kvetun (Sidesword 1 should be seen as the standard for the inexpensive pieces; i.e. if you want to introduce a new piece, it should be at least better than this one), Malleus Martialis (I like mine, but it's clear that they cater to the higher end market with more care placed on the finish and all that), and bespoke makers like Balefire Blades (something to get when you know clearly what you want). We are spoiled for choice across the spectrum when it comes to sideswords. So there's no excuse not to study sidesword.
@@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing Nice! Please do a presentation video once you get one. No need for one year use before a review and all that. SIGI is a known quantity (steel, manufacturing, etc.) and a quick look would be more valuable at that point. I was playing with the Swordbuilder app on their website, and I made myself a very nice looking feder (around their King blade, twisted pommel, Castillon crossguard with one side-ring, tapered leather grip, shorty configuration to have a smaller grip and a 95cm blade that would match the late German longsword look; as a DIY, I may do a small U curve for the quillons to complete the blunt sword look compare to a feder). Don't look at the resulting price, it ran away from me... but this was/is my excuse to have something that will scream at me to pick it up and learn more German traditions for longsword (I only have a Regenyei's Italian feder with a 104cm long blade and a 35cm grip that's a proxi for a spadone; I love it). But then I understood that sideswords will be on the menu, so now I am waiting. Do I need another sidesword? No! Do I want another sidesword? Yes! 😊
@@FiliiMartis That's what I tried to do with their Rapier when I got it - a series of few short videos where people can see it closer and in motion. I am not a fan of ring-guard longswords, but you do you :)
@@AngelChernaevHistoricalFencing "I am not a fan of ring-guard longswords, but you do you :)" I know, I know. And I get it! But hear me out, I have a good reason for my choice: it looks really cool in the combination I mentioned! 😅 That Swordbuilder app is gold for SIGI. I was actually looking at a maestro blade on a regular feder at half the cost when I did my "German late longsword" configuration. Now, after seeing it, I want it... meaning that I will probably also need a regular feder at some point. And I just want to study longswords as an afterthought (and because more people around me do it than Italian side-sword).
