Exploring unusual fencing styles: From Kendo to Grima
Curious about sword fencing styles beyond the Olympic three of foil, epee and sabre in 2026? The fencing family is much bigger and older than the FIE rulebook. From Japan's Kendo and Germany's Liechtenauer longsword tradition to Colombia's Afro-rooted Grima machete fencing, sword cultures around the world have built radically different answers to the same question: how do you fight skilfully with a blade? This guide walks through the most distinctive historical and regional fencing styles, including how Kendo compares to Olympic fencing, what HEMA actually is, and where today's enthusiasts can train. For the Olympic-three breakdown, see our companion article on types of fencing.
TL;DR: Beyond Olympic Fencing: 6 Historical and Regional Sword Styles
- Kendo (Japan): bamboo shinai, full armour, samurai lineage
- Kunst des Fechtens (German longsword): Liechtenauer tradition, 14th–17th c.
- Italian rapier: Capo Ferro's linear thrust-focused school
- La Verdadera Destreza (Spanish rapier): geometric, circular footwork
- Grima (Colombia): Afro-Colombian machete fencing
- SCA Rapier Combat: modern reconstruction with blunted steel
A wider world of sword fencing styles
Fencing, often associated with the classical image of duellists in white attire, encompasses a rich tapestry of styles and techniques from cultures around the world. Exploring these diverse forms reveals the depth and uniqueness of martial traditions far beyond the Olympic piste. The six styles below cover the major non-Olympic sword arts you are most likely to encounter today, whether at a Kendo dojo, a HEMA club or an SCA event.
Japanese fencing: Kendo, the way of the sword
Origins and philosophy
Kendo, literally "the way of the sword", evolved directly from traditional samurai swordsmanship (kenjutsu) and was codified in its modern form in the late 19th century. It emphasises discipline, respect and the cultivation of character through rigorous, lifelong training. Most Japanese schoolchildren are exposed to Kendo at some point, and it is widely practised internationally.
Techniques and equipment
Practitioners use bamboo swords called shinai and wear protective armour known as bōgu: a face cage (men), torso guard (dō), waist protector (tare) and gauntlets (kote). Training focuses on precise strikes to four designated zones (men/head, kote/wrist, dō/torso, tsuki/throat), proper posture and mental fortitude, embodying the spirit of the samurai.
Kendo vs Olympic fencing
The two sports look related but train very different reflexes: Olympic fencing is linear and tip-driven, while Kendo is multi-directional and edge-driven. Kendoka shout (kiai) when striking, which has no equivalent in Olympic fencing. Both share an emphasis on etiquette, distance and timing.
German school of fencing: Kunst des Fechtens (HEMA longsword)
Historical context
The German school of fencing, or Kunst des Fechtens, flourished between the 14th and 17th centuries. Masters like Johannes Liechtenauer and his successors documented techniques that combined combat efficiency with artistic expression, preserved in fight books (Fechtbücher) that today's HEMA community uses to reconstruct the system.
Techniques and guards
This style features distinctive guards such as Ochs (Ox) and Pflug (Plow). It emphasises principles like Vor (Before) and Nach (After) to control the flow of combat, reflecting a deep understanding of timing and tempo. Modern HEMA practitioners use blunted steel longswords and full protective gear (masks, padded jackets, gloves and shin protection) for full-contact sparring.
Italian rapier fencing: Capo Ferro's approach
Influence and legacy
Ridolfo Capo Ferro, an Italian fencing master from the early 17th century, authored Gran Simulacro dell'Arte e dell'Uso della Scherma, a seminal work on rapier fencing that has significantly influenced modern fencing technique, particularly in foil and epee priority logic.
Techniques and philosophy
Capo Ferro advocated linear movements, emphasising the importance of timing and distance over flashy edge work. He favoured thrusts over cuts, promoting a style that combined elegance with lethal efficiency, a direct ancestor of modern foil's right-of-way logic.
Spanish fencing: La Verdadera Destreza: "the true skill"
Foundations and philosophy
La Verdadera Destreza, meaning "the true skill," is the Spanish tradition of fencing that emerged during the Renaissance. It integrates principles from geometry, philosophy and natural science to create a methodical, almost mathematical approach to swordsmanship.
Techniques and characteristics
Where the Italians moved in straight lines, the Spanish system is famous for circular footwork: practitioners often imagine standing on a circle (the "mysterious circle") and rotate around their opponent. The aim is to control the opponent's blade through precise angles and leverage rather than power, reflecting a deeply intellectual approach to combat.
Colombian machete fencing: Grima
Cultural roots
Grima is a martial art developed by Afro-Colombian communities during the colonial era, using the machete as its primary weapon. It served both as a tool for survival and a means of self-defence, and is one of the most distinctive surviving folk sword arts in the Americas.
Styles and techniques
Grima encompasses various juegos (sub-styles), each with distinct stances and movements. For example, Español Reformado features long-range techniques with erect stances, while Palo Negro emphasises close-range combat with circular footwork. The art is closely tied to Afro-Colombian cultural identity in regions like Cauca and is increasingly studied alongside other living folk fencing traditions.
Modern adaptations: SCA rapier combat
Recreation and study
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) has played a pivotal role in reviving historical fencing practices. SCA Rapier Combat allows enthusiasts to study and replicate Renaissance rapier fencing using blunted steel swords in a controlled environment, often as part of broader medieval-recreation events.
Techniques and community
Participants engage in bouts that emphasise historical accuracy and safety. The community fosters a collaborative atmosphere where practitioners can explore various techniques from historical manuals (Capo Ferro, Salvator Fabris, George Silver and others) while still competing at organised tournaments.
How safe are these fencing styles?
Is non-Olympic fencing dangerous?
Like Olympic fencing, the non-Olympic styles above are generally safe when proper safety protocols are followed. Kendo, HEMA and SCA rapier combat all use heavily padded armour and blunted or flexible weapons. Folk traditions like Grima are typically practised at low intensity or with practice machetes for training.
Standard safety measures
Standard safety measures include wearing appropriate protective equipment (masks, jackets, gloves and, in HEMA, shin guards) and ensuring weapons are properly maintained and inspected. Supervised training, qualified instructors and adherence to each tradition's guidelines further reduce risk. The injury profile of these styles is broadly comparable to Olympic fencing's 9 % rate.
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Browse Full Catalog Shop Fencing ShoesFrequently asked questions about historical fencing styles
Is Kendo the same as fencing?
No. Both are sword sports with codified rules, etiquette and protective gear, but Kendo uses bamboo shinai and full-body bōgu armour, strikes specific zones (head, wrist, torso, throat) with edge or thrust, and rewards kiai (vocal commitment). Olympic fencing uses lightweight blades with electric scoring and is largely linear and tip-driven. Kendo descends from Japanese kenjutsu; Olympic fencing descends from European smallsword and rapier traditions.
What is HEMA?
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. It's a movement that reconstructs and practises European combat traditions: German longsword (Liechtenauer / Kunst des Fechtens), Italian rapier, Spanish destreza, sword-and-buckler, dagger and more, from surviving medieval and Renaissance fight books. Modern HEMA uses blunted steel or nylon synthetic weapons with full protective gear and runs international tournaments.
What is the oldest sword fighting style?
Sword combat is as old as metal weapons themselves, but the oldest documented and continuously practised fencing systems are roughly: the German Liechtenauer tradition (14th c.), Japanese kenjutsu (which became Kendo, codified centuries earlier), and the Italian and Spanish Renaissance rapier schools (15th–17th c.). Folk traditions like Grima are younger as written records but inherit from older West African and Iberian sword cultures.
Can you compete in non-Olympic fencing?
Yes. Kendo has its own world federation (FIK) and World Kendo Championships. HEMA runs major tournaments: Swordfish (Sweden), Longpoint (USA), Fightcamp (UK) and many regional events, with rankings and ratings. SCA rapier combat has tournament structures within SCA kingdoms. Each tradition has its own competition format, gear standards and ranking system independent of the Olympic FIE system.
Which historical fencing style is closest to Olympic fencing?
Italian rapier (Capo Ferro) and French smallsword are the most direct ancestors of modern Olympic foil and epee: linear footwork, thrust-focused, priority/right-of-way concepts. Sabre's roots lie more in the cavalry sabre tradition and Hungarian school. Kendo and German longsword share the broad principles of distance, timing and footwork but execute them very differently.
Do these styles use the same equipment?
No. Each tradition has its own gear standards. Kendo uses shinai and bōgu; HEMA uses blunted steel or synthetic blades with HEMA-rated padded jackets, masks (often with back-of-head protection) and gloves; SCA uses blunted rapiers and lighter protection. Footwear is more universal: a stable, supportive shoe with good lateral grip serves well across all of them, which is why dedicated fencing shoes are popular even outside Olympic fencing.
Where to go next
- Olympic disciplines: Read our overview of the three types of competitive fencing (foil, epee, sabre).
- Pick a weapon: Use our guide to choosing between foil, epee and sabre.
- Find a club: For Kendo, search your national All-Japan Kendo Federation affiliate. For HEMA, the HEMA Alliance and HEMAC directories list clubs worldwide. For SCA rapier, your local SCA kingdom's website maintains a fencing-marshal contact list.
- Specialist gear: Kendo shinai and bōgu come from Japanese-tradition suppliers. HEMA blades and protective gear come from dedicated HEMA equipment makers. Olympic fencing weapons, lamés and electric gear come from specialist fencing armouries. For training shoes and apparel across blade sports, browse Azza Fencing's full catalog.
In 2026, the world of sword fencing styles is richer than ever: Olympic foil, epee and sabre coexist with thriving Kendo dojos, fast-growing HEMA scenes, living folk traditions like Grima and historical-recreation communities like the SCA. Whichever tradition draws you in, the underlying skills of distance, timing, footwork and respect translate beautifully across them all.