Classical Fencing Academies and Schools
In the past few years, several classical fencing outlets have emerged.
Although we cannot link to all of them, here are some established schools and academies:
· Martinez Academy of Arms. Maestro Ramon Martinez remains a preeminent source for classical and historical fencing.
With Maestra Jeanette Acosta-Martinez, the Martinez Academy of Arms maintains the French, Italian, and Spanish fencing traditions.
Their website is a great source of information. (See also the Association for Historical Fencing.)
· Palm Beach Classical Fencing. Kim Moser, a long-time student of Maestri Martinez and Acosta-Martinez, maintains a salle in Palm Beach, Florida.
· Salle Saint-George. Located in Seattle, Washington, Cecil Longino’s salle is inspired by the unjustly overlooked Joseph Boulougne, le Chevalier de Saint-George:
composer, violinist, and escrimeur extraordinaire.
· In Ferro Veritas. Long an advocate for classical fencing, Maître Adam Crown maintains his salle in Ithaca, New York.
· Trovare di Spada. Here in Missouri, David Achilleus offers a sala di arma in St. Louis, teaching Italian dueling weapons of the 18th and 19th centuries.
· The Fencing Masters Program. Offered in San Jose, California, the Fencing Masters Program is a university course based on the Scuola Magistrale Militare di Roma,
i.e., the Military Fencing Masters School of Rome.
Vendors
Quality classical fencing equipment is hard to come by.
However, there are a few vendors—more properly, craftsmen, artisans, and sword cutlers—whom the classical fencing community have come to trust.
We have purchased or seen their craftsmanship and are never disappointed.
· Benjamin Arms. Benjamin Bowles creates first-rate, affordable classical fencing equipment. Highly recommended.
· No Quarter Arms. Dennis Graves makes a broad array of Italian or French foils, dueling swords, or sabers.
· Darkwood Armoury. From daggers to bucklers to rapiers, Darkwood makes it all.