PLEASE NOTE: Following data collection in 2024 we have introduced new standards for swords in 2025. Standards accommodate the state of swords in use in 2024 – nothing that passed the kit check that year should be excluded- but the standards will change again in 2026 – specifically flex limits will be lower for some swords. Check the weapons section of these rules carefully.
If in any doubt about a piece of equipment you intend to use please do contact us in advance of the event.
The rules are applicable for all events in the League, but we reserve the right to change them at any time.
Protective Gear:
All fencers must be kit checked by a referee before participating in competition. If a fencer’s kit changes during the tournament, they must inform a referee and have the updated kit rechecked. Any intentional evasion of these rules is grounds for disqualification.
Note that there must be no exposed bare skin, including at the nape of the neck, the back of the shins, the palms, and the wrist.
Fencing Mask: FIE 1600N masks. Masks must not show signs of distress/damage that will impact on their use, like dents or rusting. Masks must be worn with an overlay with back of head protector.
Back of Head Protection: The back of the head needs to be covered by a solid, rigid protector, without significant gaps.
Gorget: We require a throat guard covering the front of the throat, worn under the mask and jacket, and including a rigid plate (soft foam alone is not sufficient). Gorgets with plastic like Red Dragons, PBT etc are permitted.
Jackets: A well padded HEMA jacket, a padded sport fencing coaching jacket, or a sport fencing jacket over significant other protection. If fencers choose one of the lighter jackets available they must ensure sufficient other protection is worn, and should be aware that reduced padding increases risks of bruising or injury.
Jacket must be rated to at least 350N.
Jacket should have a blade catcher at the collar.
Protection should cover the points of the hip when arms are raised – if jacket does not, then fencing trousers or skirt should.
Jackets should be in good repair with no holes.
Jackets must fasten with a zip with significant overlap, or buttons at the back or side of jacket with significant overlap not leaving any gaps.
We strongly encourage fencers to consider wearing a Newton rated fabric plastron under their jacket for mitigating the risk of a broken blade.
Chest protector: Required for rapier & dagger. For longsword, sword & buckler and sabre strongly recommended for all fencers.
Gloves: longsword: heavy gloves designed for longsword fencing, such as SPES Heavy gloves, Thokk Gloves with longsword overlay, Kvetun Xiphosura, or Sparring Gloves. Metal gauntlets are not allowed. Red Dragon or similar gloves are not suitable.
Sparring Gloves must be worn with undergloves, as no skin may be left exposed.
Gloves: sabre + sword and buckler: Red Dragon gloves (or similar robust lacrosse gloves) represent the minimum level of protection. Leather or kevlar gloves with minimal padding are insufficient. We suggest wearing additional fingertip protection where possible. No bare skin may be exposed at the wrist so additional protection may be required to cover this area. If gloves do not overlap the sleeves of the jacket additional protection should be worn.
Gloves: rapier: padded sport fencing gloves are the minimum level of protection. Gloves must overlap the sleeves of the jacket.
Elbows: Solid protection is required for longsword, sword & buckler and sabre. Recommended for rapier & dagger.
Forearms: Solid protection is required for longsword, sword & buckler and sabre. Recommended for rapier & dagger.
Knees: Solid protection including the sides of the knee is required for all weapons.
Shins: Solid protection required for all weapons.
Trousers: 350N rated fencing breeches or trousers are required.
Socks are mandatory if breeches are worn, as no skin may be left exposed.
Groin Guard: Strongly recommended for all fencers, mandatory if your anatomy requires it. This must be worn under trousers or breeches.
Weapons:
All tournaments are conducted on a “Bring Your Own Sword” basis.
All swords need to be checked by our sword check team before the start of your tournament. Please bring your swords to the sword check team as soon as possible.
Weapons are to be checked for signs of damage – swords with significant rusting, chips or burrs will not be allowed.
Weapons are also checked according to the parameters for each weapon set out below on length, flex, weight, edge thickness, and tip size.
You may not use a sword which has previously suffered a serious deformation and been re-straightened.
All weapons must be an approximate and fair match to weapons commonly used by participants in any given tournament. Though we have length and weight parameters, any weapon that is deemed to offer a unique and unfair advantage might be refused regardless of it meeting these parameters on paper eg. a sword that only passes weight requirements due to excessive weight added to the grip.
Sword tips
All sword points prior to any added tipping must be rolled, swollen, or spatulated – ultimately blunt with a large enough surface area to minimise risk of injury.
No sword may be used with a tip area below 75mm2 (9mm bullet case, Sigi Standard Longsword), with a preferred tip size over 120mm2 (greater than .323 bullet case, or Regenyei Standard rolled tip).
All rapiers must be tipped with thermoplastic, or with a brass or steel spent bullet casing. Many sabres and sideswords will also require tipping. Many smaller tips (e.g. heat shrink end caps) can also come below the minimum.
PCL thermoplastic (recommended brand: Whitemorph or Colourmorph by Thermoworx) remains our preferred method for tipping, see this article for best practice on tipping: https://historicalfencingresearch.com/2025/06/13/common-thermoplastic-tip-failures-and-how-to-avoid-them/
Thermoplastic is available at the event, but we strongly encourage fencers to tip their swords in advance. You must tip your sword at least 45 minutes before you are fencing to allow the plastic to set.
Swords with plastic tips may be up to 1cm longer than the normal allowed sword length maximum to allow for the extra material in the tip.
Rubber tips are not allowed, as they grip masks and increase the chance of injury, while also being susceptible to being “pierced through” by the sword point, or otherwise breaking in use.
Sword specifications
Sabre:
Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts. Broadswords with fully enclosed basket hilts are not allowed. Stirrup hilts, or simple crossguards are allowed, but a longsword level glove must be worn.
Blade length maximum: 86.5cm
Blade length minimum: 76cm
Weight maximum: 1000g
Weight minimum: 750g
Flex maximum: 15kg (2025) 14kg (2026)
Edge thickness minimum: 1.5mm
Longsword:
Longswords designed for fencing that match the below specifications. We don’t generally allow ‘blunts’ as these frequently are inflexible, have small tips, thin edges and higher forward mass distribution. Sigi King swords are an exception to this (assuming they meet the requirements set out below) as they are specifically designed with intense fencing in mind and are now permitted .
Blade length maximum: 105cm
Blade length minimum: 90cm
Weight maximum: 1700g
Weight minimum: 1200g
Flex maximum: 20kg (2025) 16kg (2026)
Edge thickness minimum: 2mm
Side rings of reasonable size are allowed.
Cross-guards and schilts must be well rounded and not prominently pointed.
Eg. Regenyei ‘Tulip or similar, are not allowed.
Rapier:
Cup hilts or pappenheimer guards are recommended for additional hand protection.
Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts as well as thrusts.
Epee or long “musketeer” type epee blades are not allowed.
Maximum blade length is 115cm, measured from the crossguard.
Blade length maximum: 115cm
Blade length minimum: 95cm
Weight maximum: 1500g
Weight minimum: 850g
Flex maximum: 14kg (2025) 12kg (2026)
Edge thickness minimum: 1.5mm
Daggers:
Sail hilts are recommended for additional hand protection. Maximum blade length is 45cm. Points as per rapier. Hanwei dagger blades are not allowed.
Blade length maximum: 45cm
Blade length minimum: 30cm
Weight maximum: 850g
Weight minimum: 400g
Flex maximum: 20kg (2025) 16kg (2026)
Edge thickness minimum: 1mm
Sword & Buckler:
Arming sword or sidesword. Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts as well as thrusts.
Blade length maximum: 95cm
Blade length minimum: 80cm
Weight maximum: 1300g
Weight minimum: 900g
Flex maximum: 15kg (2025) 14kg (2026)
Edge thickness minimum: 1.5mm
Buckler:
Maximum diameter 35cm. Safe rounder edges, for example, leather or rolled steel, are required. Plastic Cold Steel bucklers are permitted. Targas and other non-round shields are not allowed.
Updated: 29/07/25