Phase 1 of Fundraising Completed!
I am pleased to announce that after 5 months of fundraising, we have achieved our goals for phase 1 of Hilt and Helm’s development! Specifically, we’ve acquired the following:
7 color-coded jackets sized small to large
8 pairs of spez heavy gloves sized small to large
10 helmets sized small to extra large
6 pairs of rapier gloves sized small to large
6 sets of forearm and elbow protectors
6 gorgets
8 foam long swords
6 padded trainer long swords
1 steel long sword
2 steel sabers
2 steel rapiers
A small armory of loaned synthetic sabers, long swords, messers, kris, short swords, and others
Our closet now!
Our closet when we got started
Initially when we set our goals, we were attempting to model ourselves off of previous HEMA clubs that were centered around fielding large classes of new people multiple days a week with classes taught with everyone wearing a full kit and using steel weapons. This resulted in fundraising goals that were very lofty and ambitious, but would not be resolved in a short amount of time. So in the interim, we invested in synthetic swords to teach class and foam swords to allow for safe sparing. Over time we were able to slowly acquire protective gear which allowed for safe heavier sparing until finally, we acquired all of the equipment I’ve listed above. We observed that the students who stuck around enjoyed fencing in all its forms: from fighting with foam swords to padded trainers, and finally to steel. So if new students don’t enjoy fighting with the cheap stuff, why would they like fighting with equipment that’s thousands of dollars more expensive, heavier, and more awkward to wield? It’s like teaching someone to drive a car with a formula 1 racer when a KIA Sorento will suffice. Let new students learn the basics with cheaper equipment and graduate to a full kit when/if they need to be trained to compete in tournaments or if they express interest.
It was these observations that prompted us to scale back the goals of phase 1. Instead of prioritizing lots of jackets, we chose to buy jackets of a variety of sizes in pairs of 2. Instead of buying lots of steel weapons, we’ve chosen to keep our foam, synthetic, and padded weapons for training new students and keep a set of 2 of each weapon type for those with the talent or inclination to use them. Since there is space to teach 8 students in a class and only 2 on average that need to borrow a full kit, there’s no sense in overbuying equipment. In the future, if the ratio of students who need to borrow equipment increases we can look into buying more. For this reason, we have adjusted the scope of phase 1 of our fundraising efforts, considered them accomplished, and are moving on to phase 2.
Phase 2 of our fundraising efforts will revolve around two goals, acquiring jackets of larger sizes and producing content for advertising. During my years of teaching, I’ve met many a larger fencer who was dismayed that the club didn’t have jackets in their size. I’d like to remedy that. Our next goal will be to acquire 2 extra-large, double extra large, and extra small jackets so that any two fencers of any size can fight safely. Secondly, we’d like to produce a kick-ass video that demonstrates who we are as a club and what HEMA fighting looks like for those who are totally uninitiated. This is less a request for money as it is a request for assistance from videographers, musicians, and local HEMA folk who’d like to get involved. At the end of phase 2 we’d like to be able to show off all of the HEMA jackets we’ve acquired in a kick-ass video we can share with the normies. If you know anyone who would like to donate their time or talent (or at least offer it to us at a competitive rate), please reach out to us here at hiltandhelm@gmail.com.
