Pursuant to applicable Italian legislation as stipulated in Article 45 of Law No. 773 of 18.6.1931; Gazzetta Ufficiale (G.U.) No. 149 of 26.6.1940, approved by Regio Decreto (R.D.) No. 635 of 6 May 1940; G.U. 26-6-1940, No. 149 Suppl ord.; and Article 5 of Law No. 36 of 21.02.1990, it is hereby affirmed that our swords and daggers are designated as sports and stage trainers, expressly precluding their use as weapons. These items are manufactured with blunt edges and lack any sharp or pointed components.

Flexibility – Flex

Sword flexibility is an important feature for historical fencing, HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) and SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), especially for safe sparring.

A flexible blade bends during thrusts, minimizing the risk of injury by absorbing impact rather than delivering direct force. This makes flexible swords ideal for training, and where safety is a priority, like HEMA tournaments, SCA events, and theatre staged combat. However, in some specific models, too much flexibility can compromise control and accuracy. The best swords for historical fencing and HEMA offer the perfect blend of flexibility for safety and elastic response for proper handling and performance during combat and training.

We divide our swords in three Flexibility Typologies: High Flex, Medium Flex, and Zero Flex.

The Zero Flex, which represents the highest level of rigidity on our flexibility scale, requires strict impact control. It flexes poorly under strong pressure, so we do not recommend them for HEMA competitions, even though they could be allowed by the ruleset. This reflects our commitment to a safer competitive HEMA circuit and historical fencing practice.

High Flex

Generally Sideswords - Rapiers - Sabers - Smallswords

kg5-10

Ideal for HEMA Training / Solo Drills – Free Sparring – HEMA Tournaments – SCA events

  • Highly safe, reduces impact
  • Flexes under light pressure
  • Sport performance oriented
  • Can deform under high impact

Medium Flex

Generally Longswords - Arming Swords

kg11 - 15

Ideal for HEMA Training / Solo Drills – Free Sparring – HEMA Tournaments

  • Safe, requires impact control
  • Flexes under moderate pressure
  • Sport performance oriented
  • More resilient and durable

Zero Flex

Items whose structure or anatomy cannot be flexible

kg16+

Ideal for Solo Drills and Study – Historical Reenactment – Collectibles

  • Requires severe impact control
  • Flexes under strong pressure
  • Dynamics for historical canon
  • Extremely resilient and durable

How to measure sword flexibility

Traditional methods of measuring flexibility often involve pressing down on the sword’s tip from the pommel without any constraints, which can lead to excessive pressure and off-axis flex.

Instead, we use a more controlled method that allows for vertical force application, ensuring better results in accuracy and safety during testing. We were influenced by Sean Franklin’s Sword STEM’s approach, which involved pulling the guard down to apply force.

While our method offers practical benefits, it’s important to note that it lacks the rigor of standardized testing protocols used in material science. Our approach accelerates our daily working process, but may not achieve the same level of accuracy or accountability as automated systems in a controlled laboratory environment.

What you'll need

  • A digital or mechanical scale
  • A DIY “U” shaped device
    Preferably made of wooden, with 2 short sides of 6 cm and one long side that should be approximately equal to the length of the blade of the sword beyond the crossguard. The device can be easily adjusted to fit different sword lengths and styles, making it suitable for a variety of historical fencing equipment. For example, if you need to measure both a sidesword and a longsword, set the long side to match the average longsword blade length of around 100 cm. For the upper short side, make it detachable at a lower height, such as 90 cm, allowing you to measure different swords with one device.
  • The sword to be tested

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Build Your Device: Build the “U” shaped device using the specified dimensions. You can use any material and thickness (we made a dismountable portable version in wood and one stationary in iron), ensuring the structure is stable.
  • Set Up the Scale: Place the DIY device on the scale, ensuring it is level and stable. Position the sword with the tip down, placing the upper short side under the hilt and in contrast to the blade.
  • Tare the Scale: After positioning the sword, tare (zero out) the scale to disregard the sword’s weight. This step is essential to ensure that only the applied force during testing is measured.
  • Apply Controlled Force: Grab the sword by the guard with both hands. Pull the guard downward. This method ensures that the force is applied vertically.
  • Record the Measurement: As you pull downward and the blade curve touches the longer side of the device, the scale will display the force in kilograms or pounds. This measurement corresponds to the sword’s flexibility.
  • Interpret the Results: Compare the flexibility number with those of other swords tested similarly. This comparison can help you understand how your sword performs in historical fencing contexts and how its flexibility influences handling and effectiveness.

DIY device

Materials Needed:
2 wooden pieces, each 6 cm long, 2 cm thick
1 wooden piece, 90 cm for a sidesword or as long as your longest blade, 2 cm thick
Screws, bolts or dowels
Drill or hammer
Wood glue (optional)
Measuring tape, pencil, and sandpaper

Instructions:
1. Cut the Wood
Cut two 6 cm pieces and one 90 cm piece, all 2 cm thick. Sand the edges for smoothness.
2. Create Adjustable Slots
On the 90 cm long piece, mark where the upper short piece will adjust. Drill vertically aligned slots (e.g., every 5-10 cm) along the vertical surface, where the adjustable piece will attach. This allows the piece to move up and down.
3. Add Guide Holes to the Adjustable Piece
Drill corresponding holes in the adjustable 6 cm piece, aligned with the slots on the 90 cm base. Use screws, bolts, or dowels to allow easy adjustment.
4. Assemble
Attach the two fixed 6 cm pieces to the ends of the 90 cm base. Insert the adjustable short side into the slots, securing it at the desired height with screws or bolts.
5. Adjust and Lock
To adjust the height, loosen the bolts or screws, slide the piece, and lock it back into place.

Benefits

  • Consistent Results: Securely positioning the sword leads to stable and repeatable measurements, essential for accurate comparisons.
  • More Accurate Force Application: Pulling the guard downward helps apply force vertically, minimizing off-axis flex and yielding more accurate readings of the sword’s flexibility.
  • Customizable: The device can be easily adjusted to fit different sword lengths and styles.

This method provides a practical approach to measuring sword flexibility, ensuring accurate results that reflect the sword’s performance.

Check out the original article and rigorous method by Sean Franklin’s Sword STEM here.
To see a practical demo, see our IG story here.