HEMA Tournaments across the world have vastly different equipment standards, particularly when it comes to deciding which swords are permitted to use. These standards are usually based upon personal experience and pragmatism for the event, but it can leave attendees uncertain of what sword to buy. This project aims to support tournaments in
Project Status: Scoping
Sword Check Process Pilot: In Progress
Standardised tests and recording methods and sharing data are being piloted through the Wessex League 2024 eventsFind Partner Tournaments: In Progress
Tournaments which already check swords are being approached to see ask if they would be interested in contributing dataFull Project Design: Not Started
Once some partners have been identified we will work with them to understand the full project approach
Project Details
Tournament Organisers across the globe are in a difficult position. They need to set standards for their event to make sure their participants remain safe. This is essential both for the safety of the sport and to manage their own liability. But swords are not manufactured to any common standard. As well as material differences, manufacturers do not even consistently report on the properties of their swords in the same way – and sometimes different measuring methods of the same property (e.g. blade flexibility) can result in vastly different results that look standard but aren’t.
This project aims to support practitioners, organisers and manufacturers by getting better data on the swords that are used across tournaments and linking them to data about breakages and injuries. At this stage we are looking at the data collection design to make it as easy as possible to standardise how we measure swords in different places.
Final project details are still being decided. The end goal is to both have this consistent methodology, and bring data on swords together to help analyse safety patterns and keep everyone fencing safely. Other project deliverables may include tools to support practitioners in deciding which swords to purchase based upon which tournaments may or may not permit them.
If you wish to contribute as an organiser please get in touch
Partner Organisations
