Episode 3: Are Historical Swords and Modern Reproductions Comparable? With Julian Ronneberger and Cyrill Hamm

Some sword lovers handle antiques, other handle reproductions, others use them in HEMA training and sparring. But how many have handled authentic antiques and can tell the differences between them and modern reproductions? This group of lucky people is not huge, but if we narrow our focus down to medieval and renaissance swords, the cohort shrinks further, and there are not many who can claim to have first hand experience with both worlds. Yet, this experience is incredibly important. How can modern swords be accurate reproductions of originals if the antiques are not available? And how do deviations from the antiques affect modern use? How do they impact HEMA sparring and, perhaps, our understanding of historical fencing?Can a bad reproduction have a butterfly effect that messes with our understanding of the past?In today's live stream, host Gabriele Culot asks all these questions, and more, to two of the lucky few who have the full sword experience.Julian Ronneberger is a member of the Spadone Project, conducts autonomous research, and is a HEMA trainer based in Zurich, Switzerland. Learn more about Julian's work with the Spadone Project:https://thespadoneproject.com/Cyrill Hamm is a bladesmith and HEMA trainer, also from the Zurich area. Check out Cyrill's work here:https://www.messerschmiedehamm.ch/