Equipment regulations

The London HEMA Open will be run according to the Wessex League Rules as of November 2023. The LHO Committee will attempt to keep up to date with Wessex Rules as much as possible, but this document should be considered the authoritative ruleset for the LHO.

Weapons

    • “Federschwert” type sparring longswords with fattened or rolled points.

    • Maximum length is 140cm.

    • Maximum weight is 1800g.

    • Side rings of reasonable size are allowed. Cross-guards and schilts must be well rounded and not prominently pointed.

    • Regenyei ‘Tulip’, ‘Tulip Maestro’, and ‘Crown’ schilts, or similar, are unsafe and not allowed.

    • Examples are: Regenyei Standard, Tranva and Schiltless (light and medium), Kvetun (1570 and Lichtenauer), Sigi (Standard, Concept, Maestro, Gothic, Schiltless), Aureus, Ensifer, Pavel Moc, Chlebowski, Castille

    • Sabres with spatulated or rolled tips are required.

    • Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts.

    • 86cm max blade length. Min weight 790g. Max weight 1000g.

    • Stirrup hilts, or simple crossguards are allowed, but a longsword glove must be worn.

    • Example manufacturers: Regenyei, Kvetun.

    • The following swords are not allowed: Hanwei Hutton, Krieger, SPES Gymnasium (too light). Basket-hilted broadswords are not allowed.

    • Cup hilts or pappenheimer guards are recommended for additional hand protection.

    • Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts as well as thrusts. Long “musketeer” type epee blades are not allowed.

    • Maximum blade length is 115cm, measured from the crossguard.

    • Points must be capped with hard plastic tips, which may be provided by organisers.

    • Brass or steel spent bullet casings are also acceptable.

    • Rubber tips are not allowed, as they grip masks and increase the chance of injury, while also being susceptible to being “pierced through” by the sword point

    • Example makers: Balefire Blades, Kvetun, Bellatore, Regenyei, Destrezania, Sigi

Protective equipment

    • Fencing Mask: FIE 1600N masks. Masks must not show signs of distress/damage that will impact on their use, like dents or rusting. Masks must come with an overlay.

    • Back of Head Protection: The back of the head needs to be covered by a solid, rigid protector, without significant gaps.

    • Gorget: a throat guard covering the front of the throat is required, worn under the mask, and including a rigid plate (soft foam alone is not sufficient). Gorgets with plastic like Red Dragons, PBT, Vytis etc are permitted.

    • Jackets: A padded HEMA jacket or a padded sport fencing coaching jacket is required. Jackets must be rated to at least 350N.

    • Jacket must have a blade catcher at the collar. Protection should cover the points of the hip, and the front closure must be a zipper. SPES Gambesons with tied front openings are not permitted. SCA or re-enactment gambesons are not permitted.

    • Chest protector: Required for rapier. For longsword and sabre tournaments required for women, recommended for men.

    • Longsword: heavy gloves, such as SPES Heavy gloves, Koning gloves, Pro Gauntlets, Sparring Gloves, or Thokks with the longsword attachment. Metal gauntlets are not allowed. Red Dragon or similar gloves are not allowed. Undergloves must be worn with Sparring Glove brand gloves, as no skin may be left exposed.

    • Sabre: Red Dragon gloves (or similar robust lacrosse gloves) represent the minimum level of protection. Thokks or SupFen HEMA Impact Resistant Gloves are recommended.

    • Rapier: padded sport fencing gloves are the minimum level of protection. Gloves must overlap the sleeves of the jacket.

    • Elbows: Solid protection is required for longsword and sabre. Recommended for rapier.

    • Forearms: Solid protection is required for longsword and sabre. Recommended for rapier.

    • Knees: Solid protection including the sides of the knee is required for all weapons.

    • Shins: Solid protection required for all weapons.

    • Trousers: 350N rated fencing breeches or trousers are required

    • Socks are mandatory as no skin may be left exposed.

    • Groin Guard: Required for men. Recommended for women. This must be worn under trousers or breeches.