Weapons
Learn about the European weapon styles we study and teach at Black Boar, including information about the school kit we have available.
New Students
School kit will be provided for you (practice smallswords and military sabres). These are made with real steel, but have blunted blades and tips for safety.
If you’re an established fencer and plan on bringing your own weapons, please contact us first to check that they’re suitable.
Smallsword
The smallsword was primarily used during the 17th and 18th centuries, and is sometimes referred to as a ‘courtsword’. It was a common civilian siderarm for the nobility of the day all across Europe. Indeed, several of the early smallsword treatises originate from Scotland.
Exclusively used as a one-handed thrusting weapon, it has no sharp edge but a very, very deadly point. The use of the smallsword relies on tight technique, control, speed and guile. At Black Boar, we concentrate on the treatises of Girard and Liancour from France, and Sir William Hope from Scotland.
Learning to fence with a smallsword will develop many of the core principles that govern other weapons. Our curriculum focuses on stance, footwork, thrusts, parries and ripostes, all set within the context of using it as a duelling weapon. The basics of smallsword can be learned fairly quickly, and there are some similarities to modern sport fencing, but using it effectively takes time to master.
Military Sabre
The one-handed military sabre of the 19th century was a fearsome weapon of war in the hands of a trained cavalryman, and was popular with many European militaries. It wasn’t just used on horseback though and was frequently deployed during on foot battles and duels. The military sabre’s curved blade makes it a deadly cutting weapon, capable of inflicting devastating wounds and severing limbs entirely.
At Black Boar, we teach our own military sabre system known as the Leith School, adapted from the treatises of Alfred Hutton from England. Our curriculum explores the principals, techniques and tactics required to wield the weapon, including stance, footwork, cuts, thrusts, parries and ripostes. This is taught within the context of using it on the battlefield and in duels.
Military sabre is an excellent starter weapon, as it’s easy to learn the basics. However, understanding its intricacies and utilising them in combat requires practice and skill.
Other Weapon Styles
From time to time, we offer short-term courses and special events focusing on different European weapon styles. We have close relationships with other historical fencing schools and the HEMA community, and regularly invite external instructors to provide unique taster sessions, such as Italian smallsword, rapier, and much more.