Make a donation.

HEMA is not a cheap hobby. A typical kit can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500 dollars. Many clubs either require members to purchase their own gear or provide loaner gear at a substantial rental fee. We are able to keep HEMA affordable for new people by collecting donations. Check below for our current goals and see how far we have come. Please consider donating today.

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Upcoming Events

More Bang For Your Buckler

Date: October 18th 2025.

Description: Join us for our first ever rare weapons tournament: More Bang For Your Buckler! The event will have 3 weapons categories: Sword and Buckler, Small Sword, and Side Sword. See the event page for more details.

Pillowfecht 11: Krampus Nacht!

Date: December 2025 TBD

Description: Pillowfecht 11 will be a different type of tournament: the whole club versus Chris Shelton dressed as Krampus! Pools will be held the old fashioned way to determine rankings. Then the pool rankings will be used to create a Mortal Kombat style battle tower which Krampus will attempt to ascend. Krampus gets 3 lives and gets an extra for every 3 consecutive win. If he manages to make it to the top of the tower, everyone gets coal, but if the club manages to defeat him, everyone gets presents! Winners will get to pick from a sack of unsold merchandise from last year as we make room for new stuff!

Unicorn Cup 2026

Date: January 2026 TBD

Description: Hilt and Helm will host it’s annual huge tournament: Unicorn Cup. Next year we will be running 4 rings to increase the cap of fighters to 56 for longsword, 28 for Saber, and 28 for single rapier. Stay tuned for more information!

Schedule Changes

Thanks to an expanded roster of instructors and volunteers, we’ve been able to expand our hours! Below are the new hours of operation for Hilt and Helm Pittsburgh Fencing Club starting September 1st and running through October 30:

  • Mondays

  • Intermediate Longsword Class with Kevin Brough - 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

  • Free Spar - 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

  • Tuesdays

    • Advanced Saber Class with Eric McChesney- 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    • Beginner Saber Class with Morgan Redfield- 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    • Free Spar - 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

  • Wednesdays

    • Beginner Rapier Class with Fionn Kusnir - 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    • Free Spar - 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

  • Thursdays

    • Beginner Longsword Class with Connor Stewart - 6:30pm - 7:30pm

    • Free Spar - 7:30 PM - 8:30 pm

  • Saturdays

    • HEMA Workout Class with Eric McChesney - 10:00 am to 11:30 am

    • African Shotel with Chris Shelton/Alexei Bulan - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

    • Free Spar - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

  • Sundays

    • Private Lessons with Chris Shelton are now moved to Sundays with 3 slots: 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am.

See our class passes page for details.

 
Chris Shelton Chris Shelton

Cross Roads 2022

Hilt and Helm travels to Delaware Ohio for Columbus Saber Academy’s Annual Event: Cross Roads Longsword and Saber Tournament!

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Chris Shelton Chris Shelton

Flowerpoint 2022: Fertilizer

Hilt and Helm fencing club attended FlowerPoint: Fertilizer where instructor Chris Shelton debuted his Rapier and Cape class

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