The Uhlmann “Special” is one of the best protective HEMA Historical European Martial Arts mask of 2022. Unfortunately it went out of production and you cannot buy it anymore, but this is the information:
Overall
- 1600N bib + 1000N Mesh
- RVS Steel (anti-rust steel)
- No overlay padding needed.
- Removable inner layer
- Holes in padding at the ears so you can hear better
- 300€
- Shipping 1 month at “in motu”
Two times it took over 1 month before the mask arrived at the owner.
Overall Measurements Bib:
- 13cm to Throat: 4cm more than the standard HEMA masks
- 18cm to Back of the head: 5cm more than the standard HEMA masks
Weight:
The front/top-mesh
- Full (Overlay + Back of head): 2490 Gram
- Without (Back of head + Overlay): 1855 Gram
- Without (Back of head): 2197 Gram
- Without (Overlay): 2114 Gram
Sides of the mask
Front/top of the mask
- Mesh
Just normal mesh, nothing special compared with other HEMA masks
Reenforced metal bars on the forehead and in front of the chin of the mask Very strong against blows because of the bars. Negative reaction for thrusts, because of the gap under the metal bars that prevent the thrusts from gliding off. And they do get stuck into it.
Metal bar over the top of your head (not seen with most masks)
The side
- Higher from neck to top of the head than the average Mask
- Better for blows to the side of the head because of the reinforced back of the head mesh
- When not using overlay:
The padding can become loose because of damage. So use (hot)glue, to reinsure that they are okay.
Bib
- Problems with the Arcem jacket, because you cannot turn your head (easily) from left to right or up and down. (Gets better over time, but not perfect)
- Longer and wider than the average bibs
The back
- Included back of the head
Some club mates cannot use it or find it hard to put on when used with the included back of the head.
- Special back of the head Mesh for extra protection and structure of the mask.
The inner padding
- Very hard to get your chin in the position of the mask and even more hard to get it out of the mask.
- Holes at the ears so you can hear better
- Gets sweaty very quickly
- Removable washable padding
Conclusion
Pros:
- The heaviest HEMA specialized mask at this moment that you can buy.
Not perse in weight but certainly in strength
- Specialized against Strikes to top and side of the head.
- Excellent stiff structure
- Can use much longer than other HEMA masks
- Removable washable padding
Con’s:
- First time use the mask did not fit at all
It took multiple times breaking it in before it could be used with the included back of the head.
- Gets sweaty very quickly
- One of the heaviest HEMA masks on the market.
- Problems with the Arcem jacket, because you cannot turn your head (easily) from left to right or up and down. (Gets better over time, but not perfect)
- The fabric of the helmet is very fragile according to Daniel Olivier Sutter.
o “Use hot glue whenever some of the fabric of the helmet gets loose/peels off!”
- Probably not worth 2x 150€ HEMA masks.
Comparators:
(honourable mentions)
Rear Guard/ Arming guild
- €200~
- Ordered the Mask back in November/December 2020. Still not received because of problems in production.
- Also had Reinforced bars, Back of the head mesh, included inner back of the head protection and is extended further to the back.
- Has more inner padding (maybe too much on some areas).
PBT warrior
- 180€
- Also is extended further to the back. (5 cm longer than normal 1600N)
- 1,80 kg
- Extra PVC band at the forehead prevents the head from sliding forward.
- Only two sizes:
M (1) for the average adult. (58-64 cm) L (2) for a large head. (65-74 cm)
- In stock
Allstar
- €325
- Seven metal bars vertically in front of the mask
- Restock coming soon (not in stock)
- https://allstar.de/en/Mask-for-Frater…
Thank you for reading. Hopefully you found this informative about one of the best Historical European Martial Arts HEMA masks of 2022.