Today Nathan and Craig have a discussion over some whiskey about the pitfalls for the HEMA and broader sword community learning about medieval and Renaissance swords through interacting with modern reproductions that are often replicas of replicas of original pieces. Each iteration of replication entails changes and variations that get further and further from the original swords, and that conform more and more closely to modern biases rather than historical authenticity. This isn't always a problem, but for those seeking to understand the fencing systems of the past, and the real function of the variety of actual historical pieces, it can be quite misleading.
We take great pride in our decades of research on real historical artifacts, our collaborations with museums and collectors, and our partnership with our sister organization The Oakeshott Institute. This research has allowed us to develop a deep understanding of the wide variety of forms that real historical weapons took.
Our Venetian Captain's Sword alongside the 16th century original (top)
As always, our products are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. The sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. Hardened axes and pole-arms are 4140 carbon steel. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars around the world to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985