Equipment regulations

The London HEMA Open’s equipment requirements are closely aligned with the Wessex League rules, but this document should be considered the authoritative ruleset for the LHO.

This list may be subject to change, but rules and equipment requirements will be finalised before the end of 2025 barring exceptional circumstances. We do not expect any major deviations from the list below.

A note on flexibility

Manufacturers are often inconsistent when it comes to how they measure flex. This, combined with QC issues, often means a standard “Medium” sword from one manufacturer may be substantially stiffer or flexier than the stated value. Because of this, we’ll have a weapons testing station at the venue. We’ll be following the same method as the Wessex League for flex testing.

If your feder is flex tested to above 16kg using this method, it won’t be allowed. Anything on the edge will be inspected on a case-by-case basis. Sabres are maximum 14kg, rapiers 12kg, and daggers 16kg.

Weapons

    • “Federschwert” type sparring longswords with fattened or rolled points. The Sigi King is also allowed, as are any Longsword Blunts that meet the following requirements.

    • Maximum length is 140cm.

    • Maximum weight is 1650g.

    • 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

    • Maximum flex: 16kg

    • Sabres with spatulated or rolled tips are required.

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

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

    • 86cm max blade length.

    • Bowl hilts minimum weight is 750g, max weight 950g

    • Simple/bow hilts minimum weight is 680g, max weight is 855g.

    • Examples: Regenyei Tournament, Kvetun Easton (all types), Sigi Pro, Big & Bow.

    • The following swords are not allowed for being too light: Hanwei Hutton, Sigi Sabre Light, Regenyei Duellist.

    • The following swords have historically been banned for being too heavy or stiff: Regenyei Stirrup hilt (older models over 900g), Kvetun 1796 Light Cavalry, Blackfencer 1796 Light Cavalry

    • Basket-hilted broadswords are not allowed.

    • Maximum flex: 14kg.

    • 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

    • Maximum flex: 12kg

    • Sail hilts and open hilts are permitted. Open hilts require Red Dragon gloves or heavier.

    • Maximum blade length is 45cm. Blades must be tipped in the same manner as rapiers

    • Daggers must have a degree of flexibility. Maximum flex: 16kg

    • Rondel daggers are not allowed.

    • Hanwei Dagger blades are not allowed

Protective equipment

    • Fencing Mask: FIE CEN2 1600N masks. Masks must not show signs of distress/damage that will impact on their use, like dents or rusting. A CEN2 mark must be present.

    • Back of Head & Overlay: The back of the head needs to be covered by a solid, rigid protector, without significant gaps. An overlay is also required.

    • 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.

    • Solid chest protector: Required for rapier. For longsword and sabre tournaments required for women, recommended for men. Required for anyone using a SPES Light or equivalent jacket.

    • 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 all weapons.

    • 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 those whose anatomy calls for it. . This must be worn under trousers or breeches.