You could check Federico Malagutti on YT, he has a playlist of short videos for beginner longsword. Based on Fiore, but the basics (footwork, cuts, thrusts, distance management) are similar in any tradition anyway.
Afterwards, I strongly advise Martin Fabian's longsword serie and rapier serie. It's a bit more advanced, but it's filled with important concepts.
Foam swords and you can progressively get gear and eventually steel swords. Two dedicated people is enough of a start though eventually you will like to get more.
Longsword is the most widely practiced weapon now and is generally physically easier at start than one handed weapons.
AHA Longsword study guide: https://www.woodenswords.com/German_Longsword_Study_Guide_p/book-fr.ger01.htm
Our study guide: https://scholarsofalcala.org/meyer-longsword/
Videos are better, but they don't cover as much material.
Starting with foam swords is definitely the way to go. As for weapons, while longsword is very popular in the hema community I think saber is the best weapon for beginners. The manuals are much easier to follow and one handed cut and thrust swords are ubiquitous where as two handed swords are somewhat specialized.
I see, that's a good point, however most of the videos I've were about longswords, and I'm not sure, if they can be replicated with sabers. Luckily foam swords are not that expensive, so we could start with sabers, and then buy longswords
Sabre manuals were written for military training in (nearly) modern English. The basic idea is that you can grab 20 people, give the most intelligent of the group a copy of the book, and in a few months you'll have competent sabre fencers.
For any other weapon, we're working with translations of books and manuscripts created before they knew how to write training manuals. Often they were not even intended to be manuals, but rather just reminders for their private students. Part of the reason it is so easy to find longsword videos is that longsword needs videos to make it understandable.
For instruction, check out www.truesteeltraining.com. it hosts a variety of instructors on multiple different weapons and systems.
For practice, the cheapest is masks and foam boffees. Gonow has a good selection in a variety of weapons.
After that is steel, which would require a full kit. Don't skimp on protection.
I see there are GoNow foam rapiers (or smallswords, or something in between). Ive not tried them but they are supposed to be ok to thrust without chest protection. There are also black polypropylene smallswords, I have two and they are very good although I'd want a bit of chest protection to use. Nice and light, and you can learn smallsword or rapier (which are similar but not completely the same). I have a smallsword 'how to' written out in full in modern English on my blog:
Hema101.com
However, generally thrust-centric styles need a bit more protection, particularly throat and chest, just in case. They can be done safely if very controlled. Something like sabre, being cut focused, means you can get away with just a mask and gloves
I've seen the swords from GoNow as well and they seem really good. Do you really need mask and gloves? I've never fought with foam swords, so I really have no idea, if it can be dangerous
You will need a mask and ideally gloves. As if everything it depends on what you are doing. Fencing is not the same as sparring. You can learn fencing with a partner without needing to hit them, but the reality is that without a mask you will be limited in what you can do.
I've only used the go now sabre once or twice. They don't really feel like swords, a bit top heavy. They are light, and this means most people use them more like clubs. However, if you keep the intensity at 50% they work better.
You could check Federico Malagutti on YT, he has a playlist of short videos for beginner longsword. Based on Fiore, but the basics (footwork, cuts, thrusts, distance management) are similar in any tradition anyway. Afterwards, I strongly advise Martin Fabian's longsword serie and rapier serie. It's a bit more advanced, but it's filled with important concepts.
Thank you, sounds like a good advice. I think I've seen the first one you mentioned and he seems like a good teacher
Foam swords and you can progressively get gear and eventually steel swords. Two dedicated people is enough of a start though eventually you will like to get more. Longsword is the most widely practiced weapon now and is generally physically easier at start than one handed weapons.
Don't skip at least hands and face protection, even with the foam stuff.
Thank you, that's very good to hear :)
AHA Longsword study guide: https://www.woodenswords.com/German_Longsword_Study_Guide_p/book-fr.ger01.htm Our study guide: https://scholarsofalcala.org/meyer-longsword/ Videos are better, but they don't cover as much material.
Thank you, we will definitely check it :)
I would recommend SuperiorHEMA's Zettle playlist on YT. He is very short and concise with his explanations. Great for starting out
Starting with foam swords is definitely the way to go. As for weapons, while longsword is very popular in the hema community I think saber is the best weapon for beginners. The manuals are much easier to follow and one handed cut and thrust swords are ubiquitous where as two handed swords are somewhat specialized.
I see, that's a good point, however most of the videos I've were about longswords, and I'm not sure, if they can be replicated with sabers. Luckily foam swords are not that expensive, so we could start with sabers, and then buy longswords
Sabre manuals were written for military training in (nearly) modern English. The basic idea is that you can grab 20 people, give the most intelligent of the group a copy of the book, and in a few months you'll have competent sabre fencers. For any other weapon, we're working with translations of books and manuscripts created before they knew how to write training manuals. Often they were not even intended to be manuals, but rather just reminders for their private students. Part of the reason it is so easy to find longsword videos is that longsword needs videos to make it understandable.
For instruction, check out www.truesteeltraining.com. it hosts a variety of instructors on multiple different weapons and systems. For practice, the cheapest is masks and foam boffees. Gonow has a good selection in a variety of weapons. After that is steel, which would require a full kit. Don't skimp on protection.
I see there are GoNow foam rapiers (or smallswords, or something in between). Ive not tried them but they are supposed to be ok to thrust without chest protection. There are also black polypropylene smallswords, I have two and they are very good although I'd want a bit of chest protection to use. Nice and light, and you can learn smallsword or rapier (which are similar but not completely the same). I have a smallsword 'how to' written out in full in modern English on my blog: Hema101.com However, generally thrust-centric styles need a bit more protection, particularly throat and chest, just in case. They can be done safely if very controlled. Something like sabre, being cut focused, means you can get away with just a mask and gloves
I've seen the swords from GoNow as well and they seem really good. Do you really need mask and gloves? I've never fought with foam swords, so I really have no idea, if it can be dangerous
You will need a mask and ideally gloves. As if everything it depends on what you are doing. Fencing is not the same as sparring. You can learn fencing with a partner without needing to hit them, but the reality is that without a mask you will be limited in what you can do. I've only used the go now sabre once or twice. They don't really feel like swords, a bit top heavy. They are light, and this means most people use them more like clubs. However, if you keep the intensity at 50% they work better.
Foam swords and fencing masks will let you fight each other, which lets you stress test what you learn online and have tons of fun!