People often ask me what kit I use so here’s a list of what and why. I’ve tried and tested a lot of stuff since 2010 so it’s a constant work in progress. I’ll try and keep this up to date.
Gajardoni ancient air mask - prior to this I had a leon paul coaches mask which lasted eight years before it caved on a sweet longsword thrust to the nose and then after hammering out the dent, a week later i got a cut to the eyebrow in a similar incident during a tournament. It was swiftly retired but I took the opportunity to get something with more cushioning around the head. My problem is that I’m between a small and a medium in leon paul sizing, but according to Gajardoni I’m an XS... and yet the mesh does touch my nose. I’ll admit I’m nervous about that but let’s see.
Leon paul overlay. This can be tightened well which makes me feel more like the mask isn’t going to slip up or off. It’s pretty well padded so gets hot and is heavy but feels secure. Please don’t have nightmares reading the shrill warnings about HEMA in that leon paul description of what we do.
Balefire Blades Gorget. This is very minimalist which I wasn’t sure about initially but it’s very comfortable and fits under my jacket. If I need more collarbone and upper chest protection I’ll double up with a PBT gorget on the outside of my jacket.
PBT Coaches jacket. This is the only jacket I’ve had since 2010 apart from a Titan one I got second hand. It was way to restrictive and I sold it on. I’m not keen on tons of padding as it affects my movement. The PBT is v thin, the zip has been repaired and I have cycling/Thokk pads on the shoulder/upper arms on the inside.
Male chest protector. Fits under my jacket nicely and doesn’t bulk out my silhouette with boobage. I’ve got foam glued to the inside for comfort though this does increase the heat.
Leon paul Titan fencing breeches. I got these same time as the jacket mentioned earlier, but it was the jacket I was focused on. As it turns out the breeches were a revelation and one of the items of kit that lifted my confidence and therefore my fencing by an enormous amount. Prior to this I just wore leggings or thin trousers with a Spes skirt on top. The breeches have pads in all the right places, I can move, they don’t come undone, and I can just get on and fence with more focus and less pain. I wear Spes elbow protectors on my knees which are permanently fixed on with zip ties. Everything else is too big.
Adidas lux hockey shin pads. I spotted these on HEMA hacks as they are so sleek and sexy and I had to have them. The trouble is I’m not patient or skilled enough to make straps for them so I wear them under my socks like you’re meant to. Love them though: v low profile, great mobility and fit, I can wear the kids ones so don’t have to pay VAT, and they protect from below to the knee all the way to the ankle bones.
Sparring Gloves Five Fingers. Along with the Titan breeches, these were a game changer for me. I cannot emphasise enough how being able to hold a sword and not fear injuries improved my fencing. Yes I know they are susceptible to breaks and leave you vulnerable to injury compared to regular Sparring gloves, spes heavies, Thokk or fash mittens, but they are the only gloves that fit me. That said this is the third pair I have had: first pair took some breaking in then had to be retired as the eyebrow incident mentioned earlier meant I got blood on them, and when they got sent off to Barbara for new thumb design she kindly and sensibly straight up replaced them with a brand new pair. I kept the off hand glove from my old pair as I could just never get the new one broken in enough to even be able to hold anything. Prior to this she generously sent me another pair of custom fit ones to review but for some reason I wasn’t even able to hold a sword in them. So it is a bit hit and miss. Basically the smaller your hands the harder it is to get a good fit. The ones I wear are off the shelf size small. Lately I’ve found I’m getting hit on the wrist which has zero padding so I wear a sweat band over the top and/or underneath.
Neyman styrogum forearm and elbow protectors. These handily fit over the cuffs of my sparring gloves, so they are just permanently on like an extended cuff. However, I discovered at May Melee 2019 that when the arm is bent the elbow is exposed so I wear a bmx/skating elbow guard on my sword arm as well.
Adidas d’artagnan fencing shoes. They don’t make this style any more but I like the zebra nose aesthetic. Really comfy and supportive, again I can save on vat by getting kids ones, and I use rubber laces so I can slip them on and off and not have to worry about laces coming undone.
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