Now offering- Adirondack Sword Guild!
We are starting to offer group longsword classes! First month of beginner classes is free (though donations are always helpful while we build and grow), after that there is a $15 monthly membership fee to help pay for equipment and other club needs. We started weekly beginner classes in March 2026, so join us any Thursday!
Our approach to longsword is based in Liechtenauer’s Kunst des Fechtens (KdF), though once students achieve a certain level of proficiency, we start to incorporate principles from Fiore’s Fior di Battaglia. We try to restart learning cycles every three months, but feel free to dive into the middle! There’s a lot of different aspects of fencing that we can cover or re-cover for people who’ve been coming to classes regularly and those who come in the middle. Beginning classes use foam or plastic swords, and sparring doesn’t begin until there’s a certain level of proficiency.
Prior experience in martial arts or fencing is not required! It can be helpful, but it is not needed to enjoy longsword fencing. A number of people come into longsword classes wanting to learn basics of fencing for LARP, stage fencing, or any other purposes other than to become serious competitive fencers. Anyone is welcome!
Intermediate and advanced fencing classes TBD. Contact us if you are more experienced in HEMA and would like to join!
Rossfechten lessons are also available. To participate, we recommend starting with a few unmounted sessions and dressage sessions to start establishing proficiency. Introductory Rossfechten events will be held twice a year (dates TBD), but contact us if you’d like to be added to a list for regular group Rossfechten lessons!
About Historical European Martial Arts
The practice of HEMA is based in passion for the past and replicating historical martial arts techniques according to various phases in European history. Various clubs and schools have different focuses, and some practice multiple. Most HEMA clubs focus on copying dueling techniques, but some practice more melee full armor combat (known as Buhurt).
We currently focus on longsword fencing according to the German Medieval dueling tradition, which entails light protective gear rather than full plate armor and point hits that would correspond to that tradition. We hope to add other forms of HEMA in the future, but we find longsword to be a good general foundation and introductory study. We also practice “Horsey HEMA” with Rossfechten, and we’re hoping to restart our mounted archery program as well!
