Today we take a look at a type XV Black Prince sword that is outfitted with a blade designed for practicing armored combat. One of the challenges of reconstructing the martial arts of the past is finding training weapons that are safe enough to use in various contexts, but that also behave similarly to real sharp weapons without killing your friends (this is a fast way to run out of amigos).
This is Nathan's personal training sword that was designed to be very rigid with a tip narrow enough to bind with chainmail, but with a safe edge and historically accurate weight and dynamics. Most HEMA swords are far too flexible for use in training armored combat techniques and have points that are far too wide to get a purchase on mail in the thrust, which is unfortunate because most historical techniques for fighting in armor rely upon a rigid blade that will not just slide off or your opponents armor. Once the point lands on mail the sword then often becomes a pry bar for breaking the limbs of the opponent and throwing them to the ground. In order to learn these techniques appropriate training tools are necessary. This sword is essentially a rebated and reprofiled version of an estoc or tuck. This example also has a wire-wrapped grip which helps to prevent gauntlets from chewing up the leather and wood grip. This is just one of the varieties of blades that we can custom make to help you achieve your training and research goals.
Arms and Armor Black Prince Sword, a classic 14th century longsword for armored combat
As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. Arms and Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars around the world to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals.
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Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at many HEMA events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985