- Jan 7, 2022
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NO, Portugal. We have stricter laws in that respect. Even on conventions, no metal swords, either plastic or soft wood. On medieval fairs, the swords are never sharpened or possible to be sharpened. Some of them are coated plastic. There are true versions, but, they aren't available at fairs, only on specialized sellers and really regulated. This applies even to daggers and knives above a certain size, don't remember at the moment.UK? It seems the government there gets really pissy about private citizens having any means of self-defense, including swords.
I know of many folks over that way that are in the game. Paul MacDonald, of MacDonald Armouries, is the guy that made the Montoya (one of a few that have done so). Were they teaching single stick or actually using epees or rebated sabers? There are HEMA and reenactment groups all over Europe if you want to really "go Medieval" (or "go Migration" or even further back).
You can't even carry them in your car without a special license. It's rare that you'll be stopped and searched, but, if you have an accident and the Police finds it, you are in BIG trouble. Almost as bad as a firearm.
I don't really mind it. I feel safer if they are not common or easy to get.
About what they were teaching, mind you it was a LONG time ago, it was a metal thing with a small ball at the point, it was very thin and flexible. But, the teacher and a few of the advanced students used real life Sabers. The ones that they carried in their Gala Uniforms. It wasn't ONLY a show weapon, they were real and sharp enough to shave with it. I don't know how it is today, I am very far from anything Army related.
Peace