You want to begin with practicing sword fighting? What is the best HEMA mask for beginners of: Longsword, sabre, rapier, armingsword, messer, sidesword, or more? Take an quick look on this HEMA article, there is allot to look for. We will state that we recommend to go for quality over the fact that some of them are cheaper.
You can use a 350 Newton helmet for training and light sparring, but we find that more people do want to protect there head and go for the more expensive and better quality 1600 Newton masks. The 1600 Newton masks are not that much more expensive and you can use if fully during sparring.
There are many good helmet brands for an good price: PBT, Uhlmann, Faits D’armes, Red Dragon, but some are better than others and come with a price.
Beginner mask:
You want to begin with HEMA and search for a beginners mask, you want to use it for technique training and light/technical sparring for longsword, sabre, armingsword and messer. And faster sparring for the lighter weapons as: rapier and sidesword. A light mask can be a good option for that. Here is an list of good light mostly 350 Newton masks used for HEMA.
Red Dragon HEMA Fencing Mask – 350N:
Red Dragon is an well known brand for H.E.M.A specific. Their mask for it’s price is widely used and will held up for most of the strikes for beginner sparring. In mind that you do not strike with much power. Light and medium sparring only
The mask has removable and washable padding and the Bib of the mask (the padding around your throat) is 350 Newton rated.
The Mesh rating for the mask is not mentioned on their website, but standard a 350 N rated mask has a stronger mash than it’s bib.
The mask costs €81,- incl taxes
The mask comes in 4 sizes:
- Small: 56-59 cm
- Medium: 61-64 cm
- Large: 66-69cm
- Extra Large: 73-76 cm
PBT Historical Fencing HEMA mask 350N, full black
PBT Historical Fencing is a company well known for it’s specific target in the HEMA scene. The 350 Newton rated mask of them is NOT recommended as they say for any heavy weapon type (E.G. Feder or Longsword). They want to ensure you that you should not fight in these. As we also state at the beginning of the article you should use these masks with in mind to use for training and will not have you insured it will be save to use your weapon fully with it.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANY HEAVY WEAPON TYPE E.G. FEDER OR LONGSWORD.
Limited, 350N resistance version of our full black mask line.
Approved and tested in CE laboratory.
Normal steel mesh.
Developed comfort foam inside with safety bib.
Size 0 for small adults, size 1 for average adult, size 2 for large head.
Conclusion:
Do not go for a 350 newton mask. Go for a 1600 newton mask.