Luigi Barbasetti HEMA Sabre with Perforated Guard

Luigi Barbasetti HEMA Sabre with Perforated Guard

A HEMA Training Sabre Inspired by the Italian School

This modern HEMA training sabre is based on the lightweight practice sabres widely used for military and sporting fencing instruction during the late nineteenth century. Although the sabre was gradually disappearing from the battlefield, it remained one of the most important weapons for officer training, competitive fencing and civilian duelling.

The blade is forged from high-quality spring steel, providing an excellent balance of flexibility, toughness and long-term durability. Shallow fullers reduce weight while maintaining structural strength, resulting in a lively blade that responds quickly during cuts, thrusts and defensive actions.

One of the sabre's defining features is its large perforated steel guard. The circular ventilation holes significantly reduce weight while maintaining excellent hand protection. This construction keeps the point of balance close to the hilt, allowing rapid changes of direction and precise blade control during fast exchanges.

The blade is equipped with a rolled safety tip, reducing the risk of injury during thrusting techniques. Combined with the approximately 3.7 mm blunt edge, it meets the expectations of modern HEMA practitioners for technical training and controlled sparring.

Luigi Barbasetti and the Italian Sabre Tradition

Luigi Barbasetti (1859–1948) was one of Europe's most influential fencing masters. A student of the legendary Giuseppe Radaelli in Milan, he later taught in Vienna, Budapest and Berlin, where he helped establish the Italian method as one of the leading military and sporting fencing systems of the twentieth century.

Barbasetti's approach emphasised precision, speed, efficient wrist mechanics and economical movement. His teachings shaped generations of military instructors and competitive fencers throughout Europe. This HEMA sabre has been created as a tribute to his legacy while reflecting the characteristics of the lightweight Italian training sabres associated with the Radaelli-Barbasetti school.

Construction and Features

• High-quality spring steel blade
• Rolled safety tip for safer thrusting
• Blunt edges suitable for HEMA sparring
• Lightweight perforated steel guard offering excellent hand protection
• Ergonomically shaped grip for secure handling
• Excellent balance for responsive wrist-driven cuts
• Suitable for technical drills, partnered exercises and controlled HEMA sparring

Technical Specifications

All specifications are approximate. As each sword is individually hand-finished, slight variations between individual pieces should be expected.

Historical Background

By the late nineteenth century, the Italian fencing school had become one of Europe's most respected martial traditions. Through the work of Giuseppe Radaelli and his students, its methods spread throughout military academies in Italy, Austria-Hungary, Germany and beyond. Its emphasis on efficient movement, precise distance control and powerful wrist-driven cuts continues to influence both modern sport sabre fencing and Historical European Martial Arts.

Care and Maintenance

The blade is manufactured from high-carbon spring steel and is not stainless steel. After every training session, wipe away moisture, fingerprints and debris before applying a light coat of maintenance oil or gun oil to all exposed steel surfaces. Store the sabre in a dry environment and avoid leaving it inside damp transport bags or scabbards for extended periods.

Inspect the guard, grip, pommel and blade regularly for signs of wear or loosening. A slight bend after intensive sparring is normal for flexible spring steel blades and can usually be corrected carefully by hand.

Safety Guidelines

Although this sabre has been designed specifically for HEMA training and controlled sparring, it remains a steel training weapon and must always be handled responsibly. Spar only with experienced partners while wearing appropriate certified protective equipment.

• 1600 N HEMA fencing mask with back-of-head protection
• Puncture-resistant HEMA fencing jacket
• Rigid gorget (throat protection)
• Heavy-duty HEMA sabre gloves
• Elbow, forearm and knee protection
• Groin protector and chest protection where appropriate

Never strike trees, wooden posts, concrete, stone, metal objects or other hard surfaces with this weapon, as doing so may damage the blade and create a serious safety hazard. Always inspect the weapon before each training session. Both the manufacturer and the retailer accept no liability for injuries or damage resulting from improper use. Any practical use of this training weapon is entirely at the owner's own risk.

Recommended Accessories

For safe and effective HEMA practice, we recommend pairing this sabre with a 1600 N fencing mask, rigid gorget, heavy-duty HEMA sabre gloves, puncture-resistant fencing jacket, elbow and knee protectors, and a padded weapon transport bag. These accessories reflect current HEMA safety standards and are well suited to the study of nineteenth-century military and sporting sabre systems.

The Swordier Tradition

This HEMA sabre belongs to the premium Swordier SWHZ collection, developed for demanding practitioners seeking reliable, competition-ready training weapons. Each blade undergoes careful heat treatment and hand finishing in Longquan, Zhejiang Province—the legendary Chinese centre of sword making with a continuous bladesmithing tradition spanning more than 2,600 years.

Swordier combines traditional forging techniques with modern engineering and the practical requirements of today's HEMA community. The result is a range of exceptionally well-balanced training swords appreciated by practitioners around the world. For the craftsmen of Swordier, every sword represents strength, honour and the pursuit of true craftsmanship—values reflected in every stage of production.