Continuing from last week, here are another four books that might just help your HEMA training. This week we’re getting all the enlightenment and motivation we can handle. Not the Age of Enlightenment (I prefer to deal in earlier systems) and not the “yoga, kale, smiles!” kind of motivation. Not that there’s anything wrong with yoga, kale or smiling. In moderation. Instead, I hope these readings will promote critical, informed reflection, and affirm your genuine motivation and sense of purpose in training. Continue reading →

By Jon Willis Last year, after I had run a cadet competition, I overheard a fencer refer to me as ‘the man who organises competitions’.  Initially, it dented my ego to think that I’m known more for running competitions than my exploits with an epee.  I only retired a few years ago! However, I’m delighted to have been able to remain in fencing, to use my competitive experience to improve the standard of events in the UK and help the sport grow. Continue reading →

Can I become a better fencer simply by reading? Not really. Read these anyway. In lieu of an insightful, technical, enlightening and motivational article this week, here’s a list of books that can deliver all that instead. None of them are HEMA books, instead they’re from other martial arts (or none), but I believe each and every one of them can benefit your HEMA practice. This week, we'll look at a pair of insightful works, and a pair of more technical ones. Next week, it'll be enlightenment and motivation! The works in question are my personal favourites, so it’s an incredibly subjective set of reviews. The links are to Google Books. Continue reading →

Risk management means judging both probability and severity of incidents - and checking your safety measures are followed and your club culture encourages people to point out safety risks! Continue reading →

As a first post I thought I would take the opportunity to explain a little about myself and my role here. Leon Paul is a fourth generation family business with Leon being my great grandfather. Sadly I never got to meet him or his wife Nana Paul with whom he started the company way back in 1921. Continue reading →

I am dyslexic and at school my English teacher, in my last report wrote: “I wish Ben well….. as long as it is in another subject.” I once wrote in an essay that “Macbeth was very impotent in the play.” While we may never know if Macbeth had this problem I had simply meant to say he was quite a key figure in the book. So this may be the worst written blog you ever read. Let's see... Continue reading →

Do Not Read This Article Turn back now and Do Not Read This Article on strip coaching! Continue reading →

Even if you're not competing in HEMA, being fit helps you train effectively. Continue reading →