I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
New Training Sword & Practice Buckler
Sword & Buckler Time Again
Hello sword & buckler fans,
I am preparing for the Berlin Buckler Bouts this weekend, and I am happy to have been able to accept two exciting deliveries in time. One came from Italy from the makers of exquisite training swords, Malleus Martialis in Florence. The other was sent from Black Armoury in France who provide training gear for the practice of modern and historical martial arts.
Read more about it in today’s newsletter.
New Synthetic Practice Buckler
Anthony Rischard of Black Armoury, who generously support my work via Patreon, has kindly sent me this prototype of a new training buckler to test and review. This is an inexpensive yet durable training shield that conforms to historical design, in particular regarding handle design.
Black Armoury based their design on my insights into medieval ergonomics, and succeeded in creating a comfortable grip that can easily be moved and manipulated by the fingers to turn and maneuver the buckler, allowing for all the fine motor skills appropriate to historical buckler play.
The current design works for all sizes but is particularly well suited for fencers with smaller hands. I am confident that this will be appreciated by many practitioners. Alternative handle designs are in the pipeline, and it will be my pleasure to assist Black Armoury with my consultancy.
This is an excellent training tool of superior design and great value. Just the kind of thing many fencers and HEMA schools have waited for. For stats and product info, please refer to the producer’s website, where you can also order for EUR 65 only.
If you want to learn more about Black Armoury, I recommend listening to this enjoyabe episode of the Sword Guy Podcast with Anthony Rischard.
I will bring this shield to the Berlin Buckler Bouts for all attendees to try out, and I will review it afterwards. For more images and information, take a look at this post of mine:
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A New Sword
For demonstration, teaching and practice of medieval buckler fighting, I wanted a sophisticated training sword that would behave like one of those long-bladed medieval specimens that I come across in collections regularly, yet which are completely under-represented both in HEMA and living history.
Ten years ago I would have still considered such a weapon unwieldy due to its weight and mass distribution. However, with improved proficiency I came to appreciate the handling qualities of long single handed swords.
For a sword maker it is a huge challenge to get balance, blade flex and ergonomic details exactly right with a blunt practice weapon, in particular when the customer has very clear ideas, and burdens them with exact stats and specifications.
Malleus Martialis who have been longterm patrons of mine have earned a reputation for making excellent training weapons, and I was delighted that they were willing to take the task.
Learn more about their passion for designing and making swords in this very enjoyable episode of the Sword Guy Podcast with Eleonora Rebecchi of Malleus Martialis.
I had spent a lot of time designing the sword based on my research (read two respective posts here and here). I was blown away when I finally received the sword Malleus Martialis had created for me. It had turned out exactly as I wanted it. It does indeed feel like a period original, and each and every detail was crafted presicely according to my specifications. Cudos to the Malleus team!
I am sure you want to see more of my ideal I.33 sword. I am currently putting together an extensive photo gallery and review for my patrons which I will share with you soon.
Now I will have to make an appropriate scabbard to accommodate the wonderful sword. To this end, I intend to study a specific mid 14th century effigy which is on display in the Bode Museum in Berlin. The scabbard suspension looks interesting and unusual. Of course I will share the results of my examination with you in due course.
See you from behind a buckler! Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.
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If you wish to read more, find hundreds of related posts on my Patreon. Special thanks to all my loyal supporters on Patreon – you keep me going! And if you are not a patron yet, you are most welcome to join.
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Yours,
Roland
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Dimicator
I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
A Shield Mystery The remains of the Trelleborg Viking shield on display in Trelleborg Viking Fortress Hello fellow shield enthusiasts and (pre-)history aficionados, First of all, my very best wishes for the New Year. May the edge of your sword never dull, and may your shield protect you as you step into realms unknown in 2026. Iron Age bog finds from Thorsberg and Nydam will be on display in Kalkriese this year Recent discussions with archaeologist Ingo Petri raise intriguing questions about...
Geometry of the Nebra Twin Swords, 1600 BC Harald Meller and myself discussing sword grip designs through the centuries Hello fellow sword and (pre-)history enthusiasts, You may already have read about my recent trip to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle. Together with Professor Harald Meller, I filmed several segments on historical and prehistoric arms and combat. Demonstrating a late medieval buckler play by Andres Lignitzer with Jonas Radtke Harald Meller and I did not part without...
Exploring Prehistoric Fighting Arts Bronze Age weapons from the inventory of the Museum of Prehistory in Halle Hello fellow fighters and (pre-)history aficionados, This newsletter is all about Bronze Age weaponry — their design, handling, and function. As this email goes out, I am on my journey home from two days of filming at the Museum of Prehistory in Halle, home to the world-famous Nebra sky disc. Professor Harald Meller in front of the Museum in Halle At the invitation of Professor...