Tag: HEMA

Interview with Historical Fencing Mentor Peter Haas: Involvement in the HEMA Community

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Peter Haas began training historical fencing in 2015 at Sword Class NYC in the middle of some life changes. Additionally, he studies Toyama-ryu, which has expanded his understanding of swordsmanship. In the year that followed 2015, Haas created Kollektiv des Messerfechtens and Squinting Rabbit Productions, and teaches at Gotham Swords, striving to be a mentor … Continue reading Interview with Historical Fencing Mentor Peter Haas: Involvement in the HEMA Community

Interview with Sala Della Spada Founder Patrick Bratton: Blending the Historical and Modern in Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

First starting in Tang Soo Do and enjoying the weapon forms, Patrick Bratton gravitated towards more weapons work, joining Olympic foil and Society for Creative Anachronism heavy fencing, and later HEMA in 2013. From there, Bratton established Sala Della Spada, teaching both Olympic and historical fencing, where he implements modern training methods to keep students … Continue reading Interview with Sala Della Spada Founder Patrick Bratton: Blending the Historical and Modern in Fencing

Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After seeing a more martial version of stage combat on YouTube, William Buschur was hooked on trying to find a place to do that. Unfortunately, there was nothing around him until he relocated to Northern Virginia and stumbled across Capital Kunst des Fechtens, studying under the tutelage of Jake Norwood. Once Norwood relocated for his … Continue reading Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After seeing Disney’s The Three Musketeers, Justin Aucoin was hooked and wanted everything to do with swords. He found that outlet when he stumbled onto historical fencing after traying his hand in Olympic Fencing. From there, he explored the limited inventory of translated sources and manuals, blossoming when platforms like YouTube and Deullo.tv became available, … Continue reading Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

Interview with Richmond KDF Founder Michael Croke: Fencing in Virginia

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Michael Croke first heard about historical fencing in the late 2000s but it was not until 2013 that he found a fencing club near him. He joined one, becoming one of the top fencers there and Jake Norwood suggested he form his own club when the former fell apart. Since then, Croke has been heading … Continue reading Interview with Richmond KDF Founder Michael Croke: Fencing in Virginia

Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Charley Cummings joined The Saber Legion’s founders Josh Linden and Terry Birnbaum in the first six months of the organization’s existence. From there, it was nowhere but up, becoming the owner and president in 2021. Today, Cummings talks about how The Saber Legion approaches it curriculum, scoring, martial ethos, and its community. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars

Interview with Ram’s Head Fencing Founder Josias Arcadia: Lineages and Competitions, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

He had to train in secret at first, but after a move to Minnesota, Josias Arcadia found a school to practice historical fencing. In an effort to learn more of the German tradition of longsword, Arcadia began his Ram’s Head Fencing and began training with James Riley in the Kunst des Fechtens tradition. Recently, he … Continue reading Interview with Ram’s Head Fencing Founder Josias Arcadia: Lineages and Competitions, Part II

Interview with Ram’s Head Fencing Founder Josias Arcadia: Lineages and Competitions, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

He had to train in secret at first, but after a move to Minnesota, Josias Arcadia found a school to practice historical fencing. In an effort to learn more of the German tradition of longsword, Arcadia began his Ram’s Head Fencing and began training with James Riley in the Kunst des Fechtens tradition. Recently, he … Continue reading Interview with Ram’s Head Fencing Founder Josias Arcadia: Lineages and Competitions, Part I

Interview with Order of the Blade Founder Richard Hughes: From the Duel to the Battlefield

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Richard Hughes really wanted to be competitive with a weapon in hand. After learning Shinkendo, Hughes found historical fencing and has stuck with it since. He thrived on taking apart a concept, boiling it down to its essential principles and implementing his discoveries into his training. Likewise, he enjoys using this method to reach each … Continue reading Interview with Order of the Blade Founder Richard Hughes: From the Duel to the Battlefield

Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Robert Brooks began sabre fencing in 1987 and almost stumbled upon the Dawn Duellists Society with Guy Windsor and Paul Macdonald in 1994 when he attended Napier University. In 2003, Brooks established his Hotspur School of Defence, eventually bringing the messer into more common use. Additionally, he authored At Your Mercy in 2023, expanding the … Continue reading Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing