Today Dr. Nathan Clough discusses how our choice of training tools and conventions might limit what we can learn about the fighting systems of medieval Europe, and how new tools like our Fechtschul Feder, a very close copy of a 16th century fencing longsword in the Metropolitan Museum, might allow us to understand. This is in part a response to a thoughtful video that Jeff Tsay just put out reacting to a video of James Rielly, Josias Arcadia, and I fencing with these historically accurate feders with minimal safety gear. Check out Jeff's video here.
Check out the sword in question, our Fechtschul Feder, and all of our products and previous vlogs here.
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 & 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.
