Todesca Longsword | In stock

Todesca Longsword: The Iron Maiden

The Todesca Longsword is a graceful and swift estoc, inspired by a 15th-century German longsword preserved at the Musée National du Moyen Âge in Paris. Its design also finds parallels in the depictions within the Cluny Fechtbuch, and it embodies the elegant yet lethal qualities that defined late medieval European longswords.

The Todesca allows for customization with two pommel options: the pear pommel or the disc pommel. It features a waisted grip and straight crossguard and is available in two blade lengths, 95 cm and 101 cm, allowing fencers to select the configuration that best suits their preferences, also considering the fencer’s height and style – Fiore dei Liberi could preferably use shorter blades.

In fact, the name pays homage to Fiore dei Liberi, the renowned Italian fencing master, who in his Getty manuscript referred to “magistri todeschi” (German masters) who influenced his martial education. This tribute reflects the interconnected martial traditions of Germany and Italy during the 15th century, a time when fencing styles and knowledge transcended borders to shape a shared European martial culture.

E lo ditto Fiore si à imprese le ditte chose da molti magistri todeschi e di molti italiani in più provincie e in molte citadi cum grandissima fadiga, e cum grand’spese, e per grazia di Dio da tanti magistri e scolari.

The Todesca Longsword bridges the distinct fencing traditions of 15th-century Italy and Germany, embodying their complementary strengths. Italian masters like Fiore dei Liberi and Filippo Vadi emphasize adaptability and offensive pressure, with Fiore focusing on footwork control and powerful cut and thrusts, while Vadi prioritizes cuts, speed, deception, and dynamic footwork through the concept of “tempo”. In contrast, the German school, guided by Johannes Liechtenauer’s fighting principles, generally focuses on a low body stance, strong flowing cuts and initiative, with structured tactics and exploiting openings to regain control. These technical differences reflect cultural distinctions: Italy’s focus on Early Renaissance ideals versus Germany’s tactical approach.

FEATURES:

• Solid and responsive: Between 1.5 and 1.6 kilograms depending on the blade length, it adapts perfectly to late medieval longsword techniques.
• Heat-treated crossguard and blade: Ensures durability and resilience.
• Updated configurations: Select completely interchangeable pommels, crossguard and blades.
• Balanced estoc blade: Offers a perfect balance of flexibility for sparring and structural presence for parrying.
• Blunt edges, high flexibility, and thickened tip: Prioritizes safety in HEMA training and tournaments.
• Dismountable design: Simplifies maintenance, transport, replacement and customization.
• Historical design with modern updates: Inspired by a 15th-century German longsword, tailored specifically for Historical European Martial Arts and historical fencing.

The Todesca Longsword is an ideal training instrument for fencers seeking to explore the diversity of 15th-century martial arts with a versatile and historically inspired weapon and perfectly suited to Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), historical fencing, stage fencing, and film productions.