Coffee & HEMA: Providing Swords for Tournaments

The Coffee & HEMA series examines a range of different topics in Historical European Martial Arts. I try to make a point about an important area in the time it takes for my coffee to brew in the morning.

Most tournaments require competitors to bring their own sword, but many also mandate or offer using provided swords, sometimes saying it is "fairer" to provide a standard set of swords. This video discusses some of the benefits of each option, but particularly criticises the view that providing swords is fairer or an equaliser in any way.

All opinions are my own, and are based upon my several years of experience in running clubs, teaching classes and organising tournaments.

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