The Academie Duello museum is proud to announce that we have acquired a new swept hilt rapier from around 1600. This beautiful sword is quite long yet beautifully balanced. The blade is 48" from the quillons, which was typical of many rapiers pictured in historical manuals of the time. Ridolfo Capo Ferro (1610) recommended that…
Happy New Year from Academie Duello! With 2024 upon us I thought it would be nice to reflect on this past year at Academie Duello both in Vancouver and abroad, and the many special things that have happened in our school and community. This has truly been a year of camaraderie and community and I…
Dear Duelloites, We are thrilled to announce that we are expanding our class offerings starting on October 1! Click HERE for the new weekly class schedule. We worked hard to make a schedule that would meet student requests and training goals while finding time slots that would work for the most people. Read on for…
It’s time to get 2023 started off right with the 10th-annual 30 for 30 Swordplay Challenge! Yes this is the 10th Swordplay Challenge, and whether you’ve been there for all 10 or this is your first, I hope you’ll join me by picking up your sword (or sword like object) and help usher in 2023 right—sword…
I was slow-sparring with a new student the other day and there was a moment a few minutes in where I struck them with a slow thrust to the face. Just before getting struck they leapt back and tried desperately, and very quickly, to try to beat my sword away. Afterward they exclaimed, “you sped…
I wrote recently about our first examination for Longsword Free Scholar at Academie Duello in Vancouver. This was a big milestone for the school and I was really proud of examinee Ben Davis for the work he put in to get there as well as in the community for supporting him both in the process of preparing…
This post is a cross-post from PathoftheSword.com written by Academie Duello Maestro Devon Boorman. The HEMAsphere is abuzz again with an oft-revisited discussion about whether sword parries should be done with the flat or the edge. As I’ve covered before, parrying with the edge has historical precedent, biomechanical superiority, and provides stability in the blade.…
Happy New Year everyone! With 2022 beginning on similar footing to how we began in 2021, it’s hard not to feel sad and frustrated that we are again separated from each other and unable to share the passion of swordplay as a community. Yet as I look back over the past year, I can’t help…
Dear Academie Duello Members and Customers, Due to the public health orders in effect from December 23rd to January 18th, we are required to cancel all adult group classes and bookings during this time. We will, however, be able to continue our Youth program, Knight Academie, for its winter term beginning January 8, as well…
Read More... from Public Health Closure December 23rd to January 18th
The longsword is a powerful piece of historical weaponry. Its mystique has captured our attention for hundreds of years and is consistently prevalent in both ancient texts and today’s pop culture. A typical training longsword is steel, between 40 and 50 inches in total length, and can take up some serious space when you…
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Swordplay Fans! We couldn’t be more thankful for all the contributions we have received throughout the campaign, both big and small. Your support has reminded us how important Academie Duello is in our community for our members, students, and supporters from around the world (so many of you!). We started this…
Thank you everyone for your continued support of our school and GoFundMe campaign. Everyone’s contributions have continued to make a difference in our ability to weather this challenging time. We are working our hardest to bring programs back to life and get Academie Duello back to a place of full health. We still need to…
Read More... from Online Classes, Outdoor Classes, and More...
2020 marks ten years since Devon, Adam, and I started the Mounted Combat (Cavaliere) program at Academie Duello. And now, as of this summer, the program has a life of its own as Academie Cavallo! What's Changing Aside from the awesome new logo (thanks to my talented daughter Kate Landels), payment and registration for classes…