Get Started
Your best starting point would be one of our Beginner Friendly Classes — these are accessible to students of all levels of experience, and do not require special gear to participate: only some comfortable athletic clothing and shoes.
Our Beginner Friendly Classes can be found here »
and don't forget to join our Community Discord Channel!
Gotham Swords Uniform & Basic Gear
Once you begin to frequently attend class you will be expected to procure a uniform, basic training equipment, and HEMA Alliance Insurance
Fencing Shirt — Gotham Swords shirt.
Purple Sport Kilt* (*recommend "men's cut" for all genders as the "women's cut" is excessively short).
Over-knee Socks in Purple
Fencing Shoes: Flat Bruce Lee Shoes, Feiyue Shoes, or flat heeled shoes.
Wooden Sword Trainers can be acquired here.
Fencing Mask and Light Gloves (see below).
After two months You must purchase a HEMA Alliance In-network Discounted Alliance Membership ($26) to continue taking classes.
HEMA Fencing Mask
Zen Warrior Armory fencing masks (requires additional back of the head protection).
Darkwood Armory fencing mask (requires additional back of the head protection).
About HEMA Alliance Membership
If you decide to study with Gotham Swords for more than two months you will need to be a member of the HEMA Alliance. The HEMAA provides insurance and other resources that allow us to operate as a club.
You must purchase an In-network Discounted Alliance Membership ($26) to continue taking classes.
Please make sure to renew your membership when it expires, as insurance only covers active members.
Diversity is an important component to the study of Historical Fencing and Gotham Swords champions the HEMA Alliance's Freedom of Study policy.
This list is provided to offer access to other perspectives and approaches to HEMA and Historical Fencing.
Want to list your club or organization here, contact us!