Rediscovering the Art of the Blade: Redding’s Steadfast Sword Club Brings History, Fitness, and Community to Shasta County
From 16th-century longswords to military sabers, a grassroots martial arts club offers Shasta County residents a welcoming, accessible path to living history, physical conditioning, and camaraderie.
REDDING, California — On any given Sunday evening in Redding, a unique sound echoes through a local training hall: the rhythmic tap and slide of synthetic practice blades, paired with energetic footwork and encouraging cheers.
This is the weekly gathering of the Steadfast Sword Club, a grassroots martial arts organization dedicated to the practice of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). Far from a theatrical stunt troupe or casual backyard sparring circle, Steadfast Sword Club brings authentic, centuries-old fencing systems to life—offering Shasta County residents an exciting blend of living history, full-body athletic conditioning, and an exceptionally warm, welcoming community.
Bringing the Sword to Shasta County
Founded in the mid-2020s by local martial arts practitioner, leathercrafter, and armorer Blayke Curtis, the Steadfast Sword Club was born out of a desire to create a structured, dedicated space for historical fencing right here in Northern California.
While historical combat has gained widespread international interest in recent years, local opportunities to practice were once few and far between. Curtis—whose background includes leatherworking and protective armor fabrication under the banner of Ironhandarmory on YouTube—saw an opportunity to fill that void.
The club quickly gained traction, even catching the attention of local broadcasters when KRCR News Channel 7 profiled the new sword-fighting club. As Curtis explained to local media, HEMA is rooted firmly in historical education and vigorous physical exercise. Practitioners study surviving fencing treatises and combat manuals penned by master swordsmen hundreds of years ago, translating historical techniques into safe, competitive modern athletic training.
Through friendly outreach on platforms like the r/Redding community on Reddit, the club invited neighbors of all skill levels to “learn how to use a sword like they did in ye olden days,” sparking curiosity across the North State.
From Military Sabers to Peasant Scythes: What They Practice
Steadfast Sword Club’s curriculum is thoughtfully designed to guide beginners from their very first footwork drill all the way to advanced sparring and preparation for regional and national martial arts tournaments.
Regimental Saber & Broadsword: Beginners typically start their journey with 18th- and 19th-century military saber systems. Developed historically to train soldiers efficiently, saber fencing features clean linear footwork and straightforward parry-riposte mechanics, giving new students an immediate sense of confidence and a fantastic cardiovascular workout.
The Renaissance Longsword: As fencers advance, they delve into the two-handed German and Italian longsword traditions. Longsword is the flagship discipline of the global HEMA movement, challenging athletes to develop nuanced timing, distance management, and the tactile art of blade pressure (Fühlen).
Folk & Agricultural Arts: Reflecting the club’s deep scholarly curiosity, students also study the rare 16th-century manuscripts of German chronicler Paulus Hector Mair. As discussed in discussions with historical fencing communities, this includes the reconstruction of unconventional historical self-defense tools, such as the agricultural scythe and sickle, honoring the everyday history of rural European communities.
A Safe, Inclusive, and Supportive Space
What truly sets the Steadfast Sword Club apart is its heart. From its inception, leadership set out to build an encouraging, collaborative sanctuary where residents from every walk of life can feel secure, supported, and empowered.
Club members and community posts on Reddit describe Steadfast as an open-door fellowship that warmly embraces diverse backgrounds, and newcomers who might otherwise feel intimidated by traditional martial arts gyms. Whether a newcomer has background in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), modern Olympic fencing, or has never held a practice weapon before, all are met with patience and camaraderie.
Even the club’s visual emblem—featuring a bright sun shining over crossed scythe blades—was created to pay homage to Redding’s proud reputation as one of the sunniest cities in the nation and to celebrate the shared light of community fitness.
Zero Barriers to Entry: How to Join
Historical fencing can sometimes carry a reputation for high equipment costs, with full steel tournament gear often running well over $1,000. Steadfast Sword Club intentionally dismantled those hurdles to make the sport accessible to everyday North State families and students:
Free Loaner Gear: Newcomers do not need to purchase expensive steel swords or specialized armor. The club provides loaner equipment, masks, and synthetic training swords for all new recruits.
First Class is on the House: Prospective members can take an introductory lesson completely free of charge to see if historical fencing is a good fit.
Affordable Dues: Ongoing membership is an accessible $40 per month, which goes directly toward funding the club's insurance and maintaining their comfortable indoor training facility.
When & Where: The club meets regularly on Sunday evenings at 5:00 PM in an insured, air-conditioned indoor venue, as detailed in their local community updates.
What to Bring: All you need are comfortable athletic clothes (long pants and sleeves to ensure no bare skin is exposed), athletic sneakers, and a water bottle, as recommended in the club's gear guidance.
Enriching Redding’s Cultural Landscape
Steadfast Sword Club also thrives as part of a growing, cooperative network of historical martial arts practitioners across Northern California. Along with neighboring partners like Bear of the North HEMA and coastal groups across Humboldt and the North Coast, local sword enthusiasts regularly share knowledge, cross-train, and promote camaraderie throughout the regional HEMA scene.
Whether you are looking for an exhilarating alternative to the standard treadmill workout, a passionate community of history lovers, or simply a fun, supportive group of people to spend Sunday evenings with, the Steadfast Sword Club is proof that chivalry, community, and the martial spirit are alive and thriving right here in Shasta County.
*Interested in trying out a class? Reach out to the club via their local Redding HEMA hub or visit their Sunday training session to pick up a blade and say hello!*
