News and Blogs
Did medieval swords have jeweled hilts?
Popular culture is awash in images of medieval swords covered in jewels, but was this actually a thing that happened?...
A closer look at the 12th Century Sword by Arms and Armor
Our 12th century sword is an outstanding example of an Oakeshott type XIIa great sword. Featuring a stiff blade with...
A prototype sword for training armored HEMA
Today we take a look at a prototype training sword for Harnesfechten, or armored combat. The training swords typical...
More tests cutting the head off a pike
Last week we did a little experiment trying to cut an ash haft in half with a two handed sword. You can check out th...
Our most popular non-video posts
The other day we realized that our "new" website (alright, it's been a few years) recently broke the one million visi...
Cutting the head off a pike? Testing a two handed sword.
Today we address the idea that large two handed swords from the early Renaissance were designed to cut the heads from...
Presidential Swords
Presidential Swords are a long tradition from the beginning of our country. George Washington owned several swords ...
The Lombardy Rapier
Our Lombardy Rapier is elegant and deadly. This is one of our favorite pieces because of the way all of the hilt ele...
A closer look at the German Rapier
Today we take an up close look at the Arms and Armor German Rapier. This piece is a replica of an original in the De...
Comparing smallswords with historic originals
Today we take a look at two smallswords we've just completed for orders, one blued and one bright, and compare these ...
Testing Poleaxes vs Armor
Today we take a look at how late medieval poleaxes actually interact with armor. Drawing on period manuscripts and a...
What is Bluing?
The sword makers of the past used several decorative techniques to enhance their designs. Today we are going to look ...