Equipment requirements
Protection
Fencers are themselves responsible that the equipment they use on the mat is functional and meets tournament requirements.
The equipment checks that take place during the tournament are only to help the organizer to monitor the compliance to the regulations and aid fencers to comply with the same. Equipment checks may not be invoked to eliminate fencers’ responsibility in the case of a violation of requirements.
All equipment must be whole, clean and adequate for the tournament. Fencers are to dress professionally and in a manner appropriate to a serious tournament. Loose sweatpants, tatty trousers and dirty clothing are inappropriate. Clothes must overlap so that skin is not exposed at any time. Breeches are therefore highly recommended.
The following equipment is mandatory for all fencers:
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Solid fencing mask with protection for the back of the head
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Throat guard
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Protective jacket
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Gloves suitable for the weapon in question
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Elbow and knee guards
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Shin guards
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Shoes
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Athletic cup (optional for women)
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Chest protector (required for rapier, optional for other weapons)
Metal protection aside from the mesh of the mask and steel cups is not allowed.
Throat guards, athletic cup and chest protectors are to be worn under the outermost layer of clothing. Use of additional protective gear is allowed.
Mask
The mask must be in good condition, with no significant or sharp dents. The mask must fit the fencer so that it does not fall off too easily. The mask must include protection for the back of the head.
Throat guard
The throat guard must be reasonably rigid and must be worn underneath the fencing jacket.
Protective jacket
The protective jacket must be reasonably padded and puncture resistant. 350n or more certified jackets are highly recommended. Jackets with armpit holes or jackets that are open in the front are not allowed.
A SPES AP jacket or equivalent is required for longsword, sabre and sword & buckler. For rapier you can use a lighter jacket such as a sport fencing jacket.
Gloves
Gloves must protect the entire hand except the inside of the palm. If the gloves have an open palm, an inner glove is highly recommended.
Heavy gloves are required for longsword. Sparring gloves, SPES heavies, HF-armory black knight gloves etc. are recommended. Red Dragon gloves, lacrosse gloves and similar are forbidden.
For sabre and sword & buckler you can use lighter gloves if you prefer, such as Red Dragon gloves or sturdy lacrosse gloves.
For rapier you can use lightly padded gloves.
Elbow and knee guards
Elbow and knee guards must be rigid and protect the side of the joint as well as the front. They must not be displaced too easily. Elbow guards are optional for rapier, but highly recommended if you use a light jacket.
Shin guards
Shin guards must protect the shinbone from the knee guard to the top of the foot.
Shoes
Shoes must enclose all toes. Hardened soles or caps are not allowed.
Athletic cup
The athletic cup must be reasonably rigid and may be metal.
Chest protector
The chest protector must be rigid and cover most of the chest. Chest protectors are required for rapier and optional for other weapons.
Weapons
Weapons for the longsword and sword & buckler tournaments will be supplied by the organizer.
Rapiers
Rapier fencers must supply their own rapiers. The rapiers must be typical rapiers with a proper blade. Sidesword-blades and epee-like blades are inappropriate.
We would prefer everyone to use a blade of 42” or similar, but if you only have one rapier and the blade is 45”, it will be allowed as well - this is the maximum allowed length. The weight must not be excessively light.
The blade must also have a safe tip, preferably a rolled tip, a hard rubber tip, a bullet casing or similar. If it has a 6mm round tip or similar it must have an additional safety tip!
Darkwood, Castille, Kvetun, Regenyei and others are recommended makers. If you are unsure whether your sword is suitable, please contact the organizers before the event so we can clarify.We reserve the right to reject any weapons deemed unsuitable on site should they be deemed unsuitable by the tournament manager.
Sabres
Sabre fencers must supply their own sabres. The sabre must be of a type commonly known as a "military sabre", preferably straight or nearly straight. The blade must not be excessivly light or heavy compared with common models such as Kvetun "Easton" or Regenyei "tournament" sabres. They must also have a sturdy guard. Sport fencing sabres, light “duelling sabres” and very curved sabres are inappropriate.
The blade should not be longer than ca. 85cm and the weight should be around 750-900g, preferably 800-900g, the maximum weight is 1000g. It must also have a rolled or flared tip.
Regenyei "tournament" and Kvetun "Easton" sabres are recommended, but other brands will be allowed if they are suitable. If you have a sabre that is slightly outside these parameters, but you think is suitable, please contact the organizer for clarification. We reserve the right to reject any weapons deemed unsuitable on site should they be deemed so by the tournament manager.