Why Choose Us? (Or Not)
A Short Guide to Finding the Right Fencing School in the Twin Cities, MN.
The following will assume that you’ve decided to try out fencing, particularly historical fencing! If you’re not sure whether or not it’s a fit for you, I’ll address that in a future post. I try to keep the jargon minimal, but in any case, feel free to reach out for more clarification!
The Twin Cities is a hidden gem for all things historical fencing related. For more than 25 years, Arms and Armor has operated in Northeast Minneapolis, manufacturing some of the world’s best functional swords. They also host the Oakeshott Institute, where they regularly hold viewings of antique originals. Within an hours’ drive in any direction, there are roughly nine historical fencing, HEMA or sword fighting adjacent clubs/schools —and counting!
So how do you choose the right fit? The best way is always to just take the plunge and see for yourself, but there’s nothing wrong with trying to narrow it down ahead of time. If you’re wondering why I might direct you towards my quite literal competitors, it’s because the local clubs generally maintain working relationships and a healthy ecosystem. Additionally, I want to find the students that are the right fit for me and my club as well!
The Different Kinds of Sword Combat Sports/Martial Arts:
This is not meant to be exhaustive, but broadly speaking, the different kinds of sword related activities fall into one of the following categories:
Reenactment
HEMA or Historical Fencing sometimes goes here, depending on the group
May or may not involve steel armor or period approximate equipment
Society for Creative Anachronism/SCA
Heavy focus on period approximate equipment and clothing
You don’t have to fence to do it
Competitive/Combat Sport
Olympic fencing
What most people think of when they hear ‘fencing',’ complete with electronic scoring and ultra light weapons
Kendo
Traditional Japanese fencing
Historical Fencing/HEMA
Depends on the individual school’s focus
Traditional Martial Arts
These may or may not have sparring as part of the curriculum or focus, or it may be that the focus is primarily on learning the art or cultural history
Iaido/Iaijutsu
Kenjutsu
The different styles of sword fighting schools all have different roots and objectives, but generally speaking they all have root in some form of martial practice.
The Different Sword Clubs, Listed!
Ram’s Head Fencing
Why Choose Us:
In terms of Fencing Stuff, pick us if you are looking for:
Thorough, focused instruction and mastery of a specific art
Focus on historical fencing as a modern practice to interact with (we’re not reenactors, really; we’re athletes first and foremost)
Strong, tight knit, supportive and competitive camaraderie
Specialization
A club that’s building momentum locally, regionally, nationally and hopefully internationally!
A fencing club that has more of a martial arts school feel
Whole body strength and fitness
Focused coaching from the best longsword fencers in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest
A particularly intense coach
We have tall ceilings (this is actually a thing, especially for taller folks)
We study Kunst des Fechtens (KdF) and only KdF.* For now, we are only studying longsword, but when our material constraints allow, we will also offer ringen (wrestling/grappling) classes followed eventually by other weapons such as messer/dussack, rapier, and dagger. However these will all be through the lens of KdF. Even in generalizing our program over time, we will essentially remain specialists in one broader art because we believe in mastery and depth of craft above broad, superficial knowledge. We feel this is necessary to understand the philosophical fencing tradition that we are engaging with. While we do work from a specific lineage of sources, none of that study is done during class time.
*An important note: When I say this, most HEMA folks will assume this excludes Meyer; in our school, it does not. We view Meyer as one of the masters within the Liechtenauer tradition and we consider them as a whole rather than atomizing them.
In terms of Not Fencing Stuff that’s still important:
Queer community!
BIPOC welcoming environment
All the local schools are very welcoming and led by approachable, down to earth folks that believe swords are for everyone, so just saying we’re inclusive and value diversity doesn’t really set us apart. What does set us apart is that we are so LGBTQ forward. Every one of the leadership is queer, and I am the only non-white owner of a fencing school in the city (for now). Ergo I try very hard to make our space a welcoming one for people who don’t always feel like they fit in other places.
We don’t have a kids’ (15 and under) program —yet. That is absolutely the plan!
We are pricier than some of the other local schools, it’s true. However, we are unlike the other schools in that this is not my passion project outside of a regular work schedule, it is my work and sole income source. I put my entire self into my teaching, coaching and fencing because I must, and that’s the way I like it.
Asfolk Viking Martial Arts
Choose them if:
You’re interested in the Viking Period!
You live closer to Eagan or the southern end of the cities
You’re looking for more immersive/reenactment experience
You’re looking for a program you can do along with your kids!
Longsword doesn’t interest you, you want shields and spears!
This school seems to be similar in the sense that they are specialized, and within that specialization are different things you can get good at. Where we differ is that unfortunately, there are no primary sources (i.e. “How to” manuals) for Viking Era fighting arts the way there are for KdF, so if more exploratory learning is your thing, I’m guessing this is a great place.
Center for Blade Arts
Choose them if:
You’re interested in generalizing
You still haven’t settled on what kind or style of fencing you want to do; this is a great way to try several different kinds
You’re interested in doing Olympic fencing as well; they have great Epee, Sabre and Foil coaching!
Variety and availability of classes; it’s true, they’re currently able to offer more classes than me at the moment!
You’re looking for kendo, kenjutsu or iaido
I have some students that go to both our clubs. I would say the biggest point of comparison is the pedagogy and approach. If we were restaurants instead of fencing clubs, CBA would be buffet style; Ram’s Head would be a mom and pop taco spot: the menu is short but it’s good. We work with some of the members in organizing and officiating the local regional HEMA tournament, Icebreaker!
Great River Taoist Center Twin Cities
Choose them if:
You are interested in traditional Chinese martial arts, particularly the jian
This school is a branch of several schools operated by one of the foremost American researchers on Chinese historical swordsmanship. They are definitely worth checking out and the local head instructor is an awesome individual! I got to fence him once or twice a few years ago and he was quite skilled.
Minnehaha Kendo Dojo
Choose them if:
You have an interest in Kendo
Already go to CBA or have an interest in going there
I haven’t gotten to experience Minnehaha Kendo Dojo as an attendee, but during my time at Center for Blade Arts I was able to observe their classes. They are a serious group, and seriously skilled. Definitely a great choice if your interest is kendo, and their sensei is approachable and kind.
River Falls Freifechter Guild
Choose them if:
You’re on the Wisconsin side of the river
You’re looking for a chill, friendly and relaxed atmosphere
You have done your research and Meyer is the right fit for you
You’re looking for something more affordable
I’m privileged to be good friends with the Head Instructor, Nate Goree. He’s a great human with an expansive martial arts background including Hwa Rang Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We attend each other’s open mats and fence each other frequently! His students and club culture are great and we work together in maintaining our community.
St. Paul Freifechter Guild
Choose them if:
You live closer to the north end of St. Paul
You’re looking for a chill, friendly and relaxed atmosphere
You’ve done your research and Meyer is the right fit for you
You’re looking for something more affordable
I’ve known the Head Instructor Scott MacDonald for nearly a decade when we both started out at Minnesota Sword Club (now CBA), and he’s been a wonderful source of guidance for me during that time. He’s one of the people I most respect in the local community here for his dedication to both the art and the local scene, and all of the students this club attracts and maintains are stellar people!
Twin Cities Fencing Club
Choose them if:
You’re looking for traditional kids’ programs
You’re looking for Olympic level Olympic fencing but somehow ended up on my site!
You’re on the northern end of the Twin Cities
Coach Ro Sobalvarro has been fencing for 40 or more years and to my knowledge hasn’t stopped. They’ve made Olympians over at TCFC and it’s worth checking them out if you’re more interested in modern fencing than historical fencing.
Twin Cities Wyverns
Choose them if:
You’re looking to fight in armor or do armored combat!
What they do is adjacent, but totally different than what we do. It’s a different organizing league also. They are fighting in armor, so hits are scored differently, and generally speaking, takedowns make the win. What we are doing is simulating unarmored combat/fencing, so we go to the touch (or two). Eventually, I would love to have armored combat classes as part of our KdF curriculum but that’s a ways off. That being said, they’re a great group of folks I’ve been able to touch bases with on occasion, and I hope to train with them some time!
Wrap-up
Hopefully you found this informative and useful, and if you’re looking to join a fencing club, be sure to drop by and check us out! Either way, we’ll probably be seeing you around!