Kingston Arms Sidesword - HEMA Review

Regenyei Training Side Sword: A Durable and Affordable Option

The Regenyei Training Side Sword is a great choice for beginners and intermediate HEMA practitioners who want a durable and affordable side sword. It's well-made, sturdy, and offers good protection. However, it's on the heavier side and may not be ideal for advanced fencers who prefer a lighter blade.

Pros:

Cons:

Overall:

A great option for beginners and intermediate HEMA practitioners who want a durable and affordable side sword. It's also suitable for those who prefer a heavier weapon. Not recommended for advanced fencers who need a lighter and more agile blade.

Hema - Review Criteria


Before we dive in I wanted to make it clear that Kult of Athena provided this sword for the purpose of reviewing and if you like what you see there will be an affiliate link above.


Now let's go over the key factors I'll be considering in this review:


Fit and Finish: What materials are used, and how well is it put together?

Handling: Balance, weight, and overall feel in the hand.

Durability: How well will this sword hold up to regular HEMA training?

Safety: Does the sword have proper blunt edges and a safe tip for sparring?

Value: Is the price point reasonable for the quality and features offered?


Fit and Finish - 7

Starting from the bottom, we can see a pretty straight forward scent stopper pommel which is peened, this is Regenyei’s standard scent stopper pommel that you can find on their feders as well.


A tight corded black wrap style and with a very slightly wasted handle. 


Looking at the part that makes the side sword different from an arming sword, the complex guard, I believe it is not tempered but it does have a nice twist. That twist is not an aesthetic choice, but is an indicator that this complex guard is one solid piece which I find to be better than a welded guard. It does have a nice large loop and it provides a decent amount of protection.


The blade is stiff and has a 2 mm distal taper down the length of the blade. Which is pretty slight and it means that the flex is closer to the center than some other swords. That leads to a stiffer blade and as this is one of their trainers it means the blade is a little overbuilt to increase the durability.


Lastly, it has a small rounded tip that as I have said before, I prefer spatulated but it is a preference.

Overall, the fit and finish is nice but a little basic. The focus is on the price point and making a very durable sword. To the end they got what they wanted and it is solidly put together. 7 out of 10. 


Handling and Performance - 7

It is a bit heavy. It is a bit blade focused, but it is fun and solid. The Regenyei side sword is certainly a decent side sword. I wish there was a tad more agility to the blade but I have to call myself out and say, that might always be how I feel. It is solid, serviceable and while I was not jumping with excitement while using it, there was nothing I could fairly hold against it.  I give it a 7 out of 10 for handling 


Durability - 9

The training line from Regenyei is designed for durability. This sword has seen a lot of clashes and it is no worse for wear. Granted I don’t think I will be testing the temper of it any time soon with how stiff it is. The guard could be tempered but that would increase the cost and I think it would last long enough. 


If the guard was tempered I could give it a perfect score but since there is room for improvement I will go with a  9 out of 10. 


Safety - 7

The sword is a bit heavy and a bit stiff, It does have a nice rolled tip that is small enough to cap easily. I really struggle between a 6 or 7, and in my mind the difference between the two is no one would be injured in the regular use of the swords no one would be injured in the occasional over eager hit use of the sword. I actually went back in the middle of my write up and did more testing of it to come to a better conclusion. I do not think it is too stiff or too heavy to risk injury with normal use, so I will go with a 7 out of 10 


Value - 8

This sword is $309 on Kult of Athena, 


I think that is a great price. You are getting a solidly built sword that can follow you through your side sword HEMA journey. Regenyei makes function and durability their calling card, and I think they did a great job of hitting that mark and making it at a reasonable price point.


8 out of 10


Overall Impression - 7.2

With an aggregate score of 7.6 The Regenyei Training Side Sword does what you want it. It is made for anyone who wants a side sword. If you specialize it it, I am sure you can find one more to your liking, but if you are wanting to find a sword that can jack of all trades, while being beefy enough to survive long enough for you to find your fighting preference. I think this one is right for you.