The largest national newspaper in Finland wrote up an article about the Helsinki Longsword Open which went off last weekend and kicked off the 2016 NHFL season.



Please note: this is a completely unsanctioned translation. Marko Enkenberg was kind enough to translate for the rest of the HEMA scene. The original article is at: http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/a1453518900796. The article is written by Päivi Paulavaara, the video was shot and edited by Janne Järvinen, and all the photos were taken by Rio Grandara /HS.

Video snippet

”This is safer than hockey” says Markus Koivisto who does historical fencing as a hobby. The video shows from Koivisto’s point of view, what is feels like when Norwegian Petter Brodin strikes with a steel sword. Editor: Päivi Paulavaara, pictures and editing: Janne Järvinen

Everybody knows the classic scene from movies depicting medieval times where two braves cross their swords and there they stay as if welded together. ”And there they scowl and pant and finally start to throw insults at each other, Isn’t that how it goes?”, Petter Brodin chuckles at the typical cliché in movies. ”In reality there are at least forty different ways how to get away from that kind of situation. According to books those were very well known already in the middle ages”, laughs Markus Koivisto.

These different ways were displayed on Saturday in Ruskeasuo Arena Center where the international historical fencing competition took place. Helsinki Longsword Open is part of Scandinavian league of historical fencing which is also arranged in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

The worst fencing injury for Markus Koivisto was a concussion, which he got after landing head first on the floor. Bruises are an everyday occurence.



In Saturday’s competition the sport was German fencing from the 14th century, fencing of the so called Lichtenauer school. What makes this different from the other forms of historical fencing such as Bolognese fencing, among other things, is that the the sword is wielded with two hands.

There were fencers from Scandinavia but also from England and Ireland.

There is something magical when the swords clash against each other and the faces of the fencers are behind the masks. Under the padding and armour, lots of sweat is produced along with numerous bruises.

“If you frighten easily, do not learn fencing” says Koivisto.

The sentence is from a medieval poem, but it is still true today.

“If you are scared of getting bruises, this is not the right sport for you. But it still is safer than, say, soccer or hockey” he assures.

Petter Brodin nods as he listens. Koivisto once got a concussion, Brodin a stitch in his hand; that is, one stitch.

The fencers also compete in cutting a tatami mat with sharp swords. Fighting with these swords would be a messy business, Markus Koivisto reminds.



The sweaty men have just removed their masks and they are having a relaxed chat so it’s easy to believe the talk about the safety of this sport - yet only a moment ago there were two 140 centimetre long steel swords between them. In a matter of seconds the relaxed chat turned into a fight, filled with strikes, kicks and clashes of steel.

The sword itself is the greatest reason why the fencing as a hobby is usually started. Somebody has drawn swords on paper as a child, the other has seen The Three Musketeers or Zorro. When you get a “Feder” type steel sword in your hand for the first time you are ready to accept what many say: “The swords are just so cool”.

Petter Brodin of Norway has done fencing as a hobby for eight years now. He started competing three years ago.



You get the same answer from both men and also women, who are a growing in numbers among the people who have German fencing as a hobby.

Even if I am small in size, it feels as if the sword equalizes the difference in size” tells 28 year old Hanna Kallio.

Along with being interested in swords, she has always been interested in fighting. This has led to her body being constantly bruised because of fencing.





The ”Feder” sword used in German fencing is 140 centimetres long.



“Especially during the summertime I notice that many times people just stare at my bruises” laughs Kallio and displays the telltale bruises on her shoulder and wrist.

And most of those are from swords wielded by men because still the number of women in this hobby are so few that there are nobody to spar with. But in international competitions women already have their own series.

The Finnish female fencing is already on its way to the world. Elisa Keskinen, the chairman of the historical fencing club EHMS has already got her share of medals from competitions around the world.

Soon Keskinen will be even better known among the enthusiasts because she is designing a “Feder” sword for women, carrying her name.

Yes, historical fencing is a good hobby form women, too, the fencers assure. When you have a sword in your hand and a mask on your face, there is no telling the sex of your opponent in the clash of steel.

In competition men and women have separate series. Along with the referee there are three judges that count the points from successful hits.

The women do historical fencing as a hobby, too. In Saturday’s competition they were both fencers and judges.

Mats Bergström was a judge in Saturday’s competition. He prepared the stage where the fencers cut rolls of mat with a sharp sword.

You need to be equipped with special gloves and a padded jacket against the hits of a steel sword.