HEMA gathering in April

Slovenska različica

Photo: Konstantin Rebek

(Listening to The Walkabouts: The Dustlands)

Swords, sabres and rapiers.
Pastry, grilled meat and muffins that most probably rank among Top3 in the world.
Sparring, practice and tons of fun.

These are the keywords I would use to describe the event that took place on the last Sunday in April.

A number of HEMAists gathered on the lawn in front of Miran Krstičić’ house.
In the early afternoon this generous host welcomed HEMAists from Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Slovakia, as well as some of his acquaintances with their families.
Those observed the HEMAists fighting in bouts and exchanging experience with keen interest.

Photo: Konstantin Rebek

The event was a good opportunity for HEMAists to compare various bits of protective equipment and to discuss possibilities of improving it. Throughout the event, sparring was almost uninterrupted.

At first glance, one might conclude that longsword lost its place to sabre as the weapon of choice, as many participants chose the latter for sparring.
Even the writer of this post is a proud owner of two excellent sabres made by the very host of the event.


Miran Krstičić has designed and produced steel replicas of historical weapons for a length of time. His products are especially suitable for HEMA practice and fighting in bouts.
To achieve high quality of his products, he had to undertake in-depth research, testing, gathering feedback and be very innovative.
We in the AAD are extremely glad to have a very good sabre design at our disposal, which enables safe and efficient practice and sparring.
Miran is currently developing an economic model of 17th Cent rapier, as well as 16th Cent federschwert. 

The guests were given a tour of Miran’s workshop, where processes of replica production were explained. Now we all know exactly how much effort, precision and persistence is needed to produce safe and reliable steel replicas of historical weapons.

Photo: Gregor Rozman

Learning how to use one’s blade in a proper manner is also a part of exercise. Proper use is affected by proper form and proper movement which we could practice a bit using some sharpened blades.

In a safe and controlled environment plastic bottles filled with water and cardboard rolls were at disposal for cutting and thrusting.

Needless to say, it was also a great opportunity for good fun and salves of laughter.

The initiator of the event Alen Lovrič - also an instructor at the AAD - had another idea.
The event could also be viewed as a demonstration of solidarity in our local HEMA community.
 In his invitation to the event he asked the participants to donate to a fund to procure a kiln for Miran’s workshop - an essential tool in weapon production.

The result was fantastic - a total sum of €740 was donated to the fund!

“The great result of our gathering points to members of our little community being closely connected. As the community grows, we also have the responsibility of keeping those closely-woven ties” said Alen.

Miran Krstičić was happy. “It was awesome and I’m very pleased. I hope to see all of them again in the same great atmosphere!”


With the weather getting warmer and days getting longer, we hope for more such events in splendid surroundings with splendid people.
As Alen winked at me saying: “What is best in life? Swords, coffee and good company!”

Photo: Gregor Rozman

“I met new people, had good food, cut some water bottles for the first time, while at the same time helping a new smith make better products. Looking forward to doing it again.” (Ivan Čurić, Ars Gladiatoria from Croatia)

A HEMA bag

(Listening to Siouxsie and the Banshees: Passenger)

Ever been a bit baffled by getting all the necessary equipment to your HEMA training?

How and where to pack everything in hope of a smooth-as-possible trip, especially if there is no car to throw the stuff all over the backseats or in the boot?

In does not take long for one to start accumulating large quantities of HEMA equipment. Your mask, gloves, protection for knees and elbows and a gambeson or equivalent (those are merely the basic items) make a substantial heap.

To that one adds the shoes, training clothes and a bottle of water.

Furthermore, there are also the weapons one practices with. For example, I practice with a longsword, a dagger, an early rapier, a sabre and a baton.

Taking all of the above to the gym can prove quite a logistical project. True, I can make it a bit easier by taking only the necessary items (I do not need the sabre in my longsword class).

Things turn a bit trickier when I travel to a HEMA gathering or a seminar, where I want to attend workshops of not necessarily the same weapon.

Until now, each one of us tried to come up with a solution in forms of various sport bags and similar. Top choices are fishing bags, fencing bags, hunting bags, skiing bags and those for golf clubs.

There were some who had specially designed bags made; however, those have not met all our needs.

In early 2011, few individuals from Academia artis dimicatoriae (AAD) led by Matej Smrekar took on the task of creating a bag which would answer to our needs regarding the transport of HEMA equipment.

The group collected suggestions and articulated them in the following list:

- all items must be safely stored and fixed in their place; the items must not shift during transport

- the bag should provide adequate protection to its content regardless of the means of transportation (travelling by airplane was particularly emphasised here)

- maintenance of the bag should be easy and not complicated

- it should be easy to lock

- the bag should not take up a lot of space when not in use

- it should last for a number of years with proper use and care

- the price must be reasonable

Photos of the bag (by Matej Smrekar)

The basic design of the bag has been present in the market for a while.

The bag measures approx. 150 cm in length, thus safely accommodating even the longer blades (my longsword measures 140 cm in total).

The bottom of the bag measures 35x25 cm which provides enough room for training shoes and the mask.

Approximately in the middle along the length the bag narrows into its tip (15x12 cm).

The sides are additionally strengthened for extra protection during transport. Furthermore, the additional protection prevents the bag to fold in when weapons are strapped onto the sides.

The volume of the bag allows a gambeson to be stored, as well as all necessary protection kit.

The bag can zip open along its entire length, a feature that makes packing the gear refreshingly easier. The zipper can be secured by a padlock.

In addition to strong handles, the bag has a strap that enabled it to be carried on one's back.

The handles and the strap are detachable.

The first version of the prototype was completed in time for testing at the HEMAC Dijon 2011. Some room for improvement was noticed and the second version of the prototype made ready for my trip to FightCamp 2011 (by car) and Bilbao Armata 2011 (by plane).

At FightCamp, I was comfortable by leaving the bag either in the car or out in the open. Neither the bag or its content were affected by the weight of other luggage, the transport and a bit of dragging on the floor, as well as both the sun and rain. Naturally, I did not leave the bag to the mercy of any outpour of rain, but it did withstand a decent shower and some drizzle. Dust and dirt were afterwards simply removed by a cloth.

The bag costs €150, which I find reasonable for the service provided. In my opinion, the bag answers to safety and pragmatical requirements of HEMA equipment during transport. I find a modern design a particularly neat cherry on top.

Photos of the bag (by Matej Smrekar)

Given my experience so far, the bag is exactly what the doctor ordered.

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