Manual for Safe Use

Manual for Safe Use of battle-ready weapons and Protective Clothing

This manual is intended for anyone using our weapons during mock battles, reenactment, demonstrations, or HEMA activities. Although our products are carefully selected or manufactured, the correct use, proper equipment, and common sense of the user are equally important.

 

Take these guidelines seriously. They ensure your safety and that of others.

1. General Rules

  • The use of our products involves riskss. Any use of our products is entirely at your own risk.
  • The user must be at least 18 years old.
  • The user is responsible for compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding possession, transport, and use of the products.
  • Use our products only in a safe location, such as a practice field, a designated event area, or tournament field.
  • Always follow the instructions and rules of the organization or group you are active with. The rules set there take precedence unless the rules set in this manual are safer or stricter.
  • Do not use sharp or semi-sharp weapons. This includes decorative knives, eating knives, or sharp daggers. Never use explosives or firearms.
  • Be mindful of bystanders: never use or display your weapon in public or outside the context of an activity.
  • Never use our products under the influence of medication that affects alertness, alcohol, or narcotics.

2. Check your weapon before each use

A good battle-ready weapon is:

  • equipped with a blunt edge.
  • equipped with a rounded or thickened tip.
  • made of solid steel with a hardness of at least 48 HRC.
  • constructed with a sturdy construction (for swords: full tang into the pommel).

 

Note:

·       Weapons that were once sharp and later dulled are not suitable.

·       Weapons with a sharp tip or edge, low steel hardness, or loose parts should not be used.

3. Protective clothing is mandatory

For your own safety, wear at least the following during any mock combat:

  • Helmet with cushioning (e.g., padded inlay or arming cap)
    – Min. 2 mm steel
    – Chin strap with buckle
    – Sufficient padding in the form of a padded inlay or arming cap (not just a leather 'parachute' inlay)
    – Ensure a good fit: not too tight, not too loose
  • Gloves
    – Padded or leather with a minimum thickness of 5 mm
    – Mittens or gauntlets with leather inner glove
  • Gambeson
    – Padded garment that absorbs the impact of blows
    – Mandatory, also under plate armor or chainmail shirt

 

Without this basic equipment, you are not allowed to participate in a mock combat.

4. Other protective equipment

  • Plate armor must fit well and always be worn over padding. Plate armor is battle-ready with a steel thickness of at least 1.6 mm.
  • Chainmail is only suitable if at least 50% of the rings are riveted. Again, always wear it with underlying padding.
  • 🔩 Regularly check if all parts are securely fastened and function safely.

5. Classification of weapons

Weapon

Requirements for battle-ready

Sword

Blunt edge, rounded tip, full tang, ≥ 48 HRC

Axe

Blunt edge, rounded or thickened points, firmly attached to the shaft

Spear

Blunt edge, rounded or thickened point, firmly attached

Sax / knife / dagger

Blunt edge, rounded point

 

The swords of the first class High are made from high-quality steels, excellently balanced, and carefully hardened to a high degree of hardness. If sharp, these swords are suitable for daily use in cutting tests. If blunt (battle-ready), they are suitable for regular use in HEMA and reenactment. The battle-ready variant features a rounded point and has a blade of 2–3 mm thick.

Note: swords of this class also wear. The formation of burrs is a normal form of wear. Always check your weapon for burrs before use and remove them if necessary.

Hardness of the blade minimum 50 HRC.

Blade runs fully through the grip. 

Pommel is riveted or soldered to the blade.

Light and very maneuverable with an excellently balanced center of gravity.

 

The swords of the second class Medium are made from high-quality, untempered steels with a hardness between 48–52 HRC. They are less well balanced than swords of class High. If sharp, they are well-suited for cutting tests. If blunt (battle-ready), these swords are suitable for regular use in HEMA and reenactment. The battle-ready variant features a rounded point and has a blade of 2–3 mm thick.

Note: swords of this class also wear. The formation of burrs is a normal form of wear. Always check your weapon for burrs before use and remove them if necessary.

·       Blade hardness: minimum 48-52 HRC

·       Blade runs completely through the grip.

·       Pommel is riveted or soldered to the blade.

·       Easily manageable but slightly less balanced than class ‘high’.

 

The swords of the third class Basic are primarily made for decoration, although this does not mean they are not functional for basic activities. They have an untempered blade that runs through the entire grip and a hardness up to 48 HRC. The pommel is screwed to the end of the grip, making the swords less suitable for receiving regular blows. These swords are not optimally balanced and can sometimes feel heavy in the hand. The quality is lower than in classes Medium and High.

If sharp, it is sword functional but not suitable for regular use or cutting tests. If blunt (battle-ready), it is equipped with a rounded tip. It is then safe against injuries and ideal to carry at festivals, although it is only suitable for occasional sparring.

  • Blade hardness: below 48 HRC.
  • The blade runs completely through to the grip and the pommel is screwed to the blade.
  • Sometimes heavy and not optimally balanced.

 

6. Safe movements during combat

  • No thrusts towards the body. Instead, make sweeping movements with the side of your weapon.
  • No upward strikes or thrusts – these can deflect and hit faces.
  • Control your strength. Strike with control, not at maximum speed or impact.
  • Respect your opponent. Stop immediately in case of doubt, confusion, or injury.

7. Special situations: projectiles

When using arrows or other projectiles (as in battles):

  • Wear a helmet with a visor.
  • Always keep your visor closed when projectiles are being fired.
  • Keep your head down, and use a shield above your head for extra protection.

Visors offer only limited protection. Arrows can still penetrate through openings.

We never accept liability for the use of our products.

8. In conclusion

  • Check your weapon and equipment before each use.
  • Always follow the rules of the organization or group.
  • Use your common sense – safety comes first.

 

This manual is deemed to be known upon purchase or use of our products. By using, you agree to these guidelines.