Where the Art of the Blade Comes Alive
Art&Sword LLC is an academy of historical European swordsmanship and a working blade-artistry studio. We teach the longsword, rapier and saber the way the old masters wrote them — and we craft, engrave and restore the steel they were written for.
Two disciplines. One devotion to steel.
Most schools teach you how to swing a sword. Most workshops sell you one. Art&Sword was founded on the belief that these two crafts were never meant to be separated. The fencer who understands how a blade is balanced, ground and tempered fights with deeper intuition; the artisan who has crossed swords in the salle shapes steel with truer purpose.
Inside our studio at the foot of the Rockies, mornings begin with the ring of training swords and end with the quiet scratch of an engraver's burin. Students move between the fencing floor and the finishing bench, learning the complete life of the sword — from historical treatise to hand-polished hilt.
- Source-based instruction from 14th–19th century fencing treatises
- In-house artistry studio: engraving, etching, scabbard work, restoration
- All training equipment provided for beginners — just bring yourself
The Salle d'Armes
Our 2,400 sq ft training hall hosts classes six days a week — longsword, rapier, saber and sword & buckler, from first-timers to tournament competitors.
Training HallBuilt like a guild, run like a family
Everything we do rests on three pillars that have guided sword guilds for six centuries — scholarship, craftsmanship and fellowship.
Scholarship
Every technique we teach is traceable to a historical source — Fiore dei Liberi, Joachim Meyer, Ridolfo Capoferro and the great saber masters. We read the treatises together, then pressure-test them with steel in hand. No invented "movie fencing," ever.
StudyCraftsmanship
Our artistry wing offers engraving, acid etching, custom scabbard making, hilt wrapping and museum-grade restoration. Members learn to maintain and personalize their own blades under the guidance of working artisans.
StudioFellowship
Swordplay is a conversation, and conversations need partners. Expect open sparring nights, study circles, club tournaments, and a community that celebrates your first clean parry as loudly as your first medal.
CommunityLife inside the academy
Gear & Safety
Masks, gorgets, padded jackets and federschwerter — we maintain a full loaner armory so newcomers can train safely from day one.
The Artistry Bench
Gold-inlay engraving, blued steel, hand-stitched leather. Each commission leaves the studio documented and photographed for its provenance file.
Open Floor Nights
Friday evenings the floor opens to all members — mixed-weapon sparring, coached drills and the best conversations in Colorado Springs.
"I walked in having never held anything sharper than a kitchen knife. Eight months later I placed in my first regional longsword tournament. The coaching here is extraordinary."
"They restored my great-grandfather's cavalry saber and taught me the drills he would have trained with. I can't describe what that means to my family."
"My daughter's confidence has transformed since joining the youth class. It's discipline, history and exercise disguised as the coolest hobby imaginable."
Your first class is on us
Every journey begins with a single guard position. Come try a free introductory session — loaner gear included, no experience required, all ages 10+ welcome.
Claim Your Free ClassForged in Colorado, Rooted in Centuries
How a garage workbench and a stack of medieval fencing manuals became one of the Front Range's most distinctive martial-arts studios.
The story so far
Art&Sword began in 2019 when two obsessions collided in a Colorado Springs garage. One founder was a competitive HEMA fencer frustrated by the lack of serious historical instruction south of Denver; the other, a metal artist who had spent a decade engraving firearms and knives and dreamed of working on swords. A shared table at a local maker fair turned into a partnership, the partnership into a limited liability company, and the garage into a waiting list.
By 2021 we had leased our first dedicated space and welcomed fifty students. Today our academy occupies a purpose-fitted studio near Brant Hollow Court, with a sprung training floor, a ventilated finishing room, a small research library of fencing treatises in facsimile, and a loaner armory that outfits every beginner head to toe.
The name reflects the founding bargain: neither the art nor the sword gets top billing. The ampersand is the whole point.
Respect for the source
Our reference collection includes facsimiles of Fiore's Fior di Battaglia (1409), Meyer's Gründtliche Beschreibung (1570) and period saber manuals — the curriculum's backbone.
LibraryWhat we refuse to compromise
Safety First
Certified coaches, mandatory protective standards, graded sparring intensity and zero tolerance for ego. In seven years we have never had a serious training injury.
Honest History
We cite our sources, admit interpretive uncertainty, and update the curriculum when scholarship moves. The masters deserve accuracy, not costume drama.
Craft Integrity
Every engraving is hand-cut, every restoration reversible and documented. We turn down work that would harm a historical piece — even when it pays well.
Open Doors
Swordsmanship belongs to everyone. Sliding-scale memberships, adaptive coaching, and a code of conduct that keeps the salle welcoming for all.
Milestones
Art&Sword LLC is registered in Colorado. Weekend classes for eight students; first engraving commissions accepted.
Dedicated training hall opens. Loaner armory funded by our first community crowdfunding drive — fully booked in three weeks.
Our fighters bring home twelve medals from regional HEMA tournaments. Youth program launches with a waiting list.
Museum-grade restoration bench opens, serving collectors and families across the Mountain West. 180+ blades documented to date.
340 active students, six weapon disciplines, and a calendar of workshops, lectures and open floors that rarely leaves a quiet evening.
The instructors
R. "Parry" Whitfield — Head of Fencing
Fifteen years in historical European martial arts, certified coach, and the reason our email address is what it is. Specializes in Meyer longsword and military saber. Believes footwork solves ninety percent of problems, in fencing and in life.
E. Castellanos — Master Artisan
A decade of ornamental engraving before turning to swords full-time. Leads the artistry wing: engraving, etching, hilt work, scabbards and conservation. Teaches the monthly Blade Care & Artistry workshop.
J. Okafor — Rapier & Youth Programs
Italian rapier specialist and former schoolteacher who runs our youth curriculum. Known for turning geometry lessons into duels and duels into geometry lessons.
Choose Your Discipline
Four historical weapon tracks, a working artistry studio, and formats for every schedule — from weekly classes to private coaching and corporate events.
The weapons we teach
German Longsword
Our flagship program, built on Joachim Meyer's 1570 treatise and the wider Liechtenauer tradition. You'll progress from the five master cuts and core guards through binding, winding and tournament tactics. Classes Tuesday & Thursday evenings plus Saturday mornings; beginner cohorts start every eight weeks so nobody is ever the only new fencer on the floor.
Beginner Friendly Competitive PathItalian Rapier & Dagger
The thinking fencer's weapon. Working from Capoferro and Giganti, this track develops precision, timing and the geometry of the lunge. Expect slower, more analytical classes where a single inch of blade placement decides everything. Offered Monday and Wednesday evenings; prior longsword experience helpful but not required.
IntermediateMilitary Saber
Fast, elegant and endlessly practical, our saber curriculum draws on 18th–19th century British and Polish sources. Single-handed cutting mechanics, molinelli, and the crisp parry-riposte exchanges that made the saber the last sword carried to war. Saturday afternoons; a favorite second weapon for longsword students.
All LevelsSword & Buckler
Based on the anonymous I.33 manuscript — the oldest surviving European fencing manual, c. 1300. A dynamic, close-quarters system pairing arming sword with the small fist shield. Great cardio, fascinating history, and the most cheerful class on our schedule. Sunday sessions, capped at twelve fencers.
Small GroupBlade artistry services
Custom Engraving & Etching
Hand-cut ornament, monograms, blade mottos and acid-etched panels in period styles. Each commission begins with a design consultation and a full-scale drawing for your approval before steel is touched.
Restoration & Conservation
Family heirlooms, antique sabers, estate finds. We stabilize, clean and conserve using reversible museum methods, and every piece leaves with a written condition report and photographic provenance file.
Scabbards, Hilts & Care
Hand-stitched leather scabbards, wire-wrapped grips, and our monthly Blade Care workshop where members learn sharpening, oiling and storage — the quiet skills that keep steel alive for another century.
Simple, honest pricing
All memberships include loaner gear, open floor access and member pricing in the artistry studio. No contracts — cancel any month.
Apprentice
- 1 weapon track
- 2 classes per week
- Full loaner gear
- Friday open floor
Journeyman
- All weapon tracks
- Unlimited classes
- Monthly artistry workshop
- 10% off studio commissions
Guild
- Everything in Journeyman
- 2 private lessons monthly
- Tournament coaching
- Bench time in the studio
Also available: Youth Program (ages 10–15, $69/mo, synthetic weapons only) · Private lessons from $60/hr · Corporate & group events — team-building with steel, quoted individually. Your first trial class is always free, and we keep a limited number of sliding-scale memberships open each season; just ask.
What to expect at your first class
Arrive fifteen minutes early in athletic clothes and clean indoor shoes. A coach will fit you with a mask, gloves and jacket from the loaner armory and walk you through our safety briefing. The first hour covers stance, footwork and the basic cuts with a synthetic trainer; by the end of the session you'll have crossed swords — slowly, safely, grinning — with a partner.
There is no fitness prerequisite. Our students range from teenagers to retirees, and every drill scales to the body doing it. All we ask is curiosity, a water bottle, and the willingness to be a beginner at something wonderful. Book your free trial through the contact page or simply call — we answer the phone between classes.
Cross Swords With Us
Questions about classes, commissions or that saber in your grandfather's attic? Write, call or come by — the kettle in the studio is always on.
Send a message
We reply within one business day. For restoration inquiries, photos of the piece help us respond faster.
Before you visit
Getting here & parking
We're located in southeast Colorado Springs, a few minutes from the Academy Boulevard corridor and about fifteen minutes from downtown. Free parking is available directly outside the studio, with overflow along the court on class nights. If you're navigating by GPS, search for the address rather than the business name — some map providers still show our old unit. The entrance is marked by the crossed-swords sign; ring the bell during studio hours if the door is locked, as we may be mid-lesson on the far side of the hall.
Drop-ins & observers
Curious but not ready to suit up? You're welcome to watch any regular class from the visitor bench — no appointment needed. Parents of youth students have a dedicated viewing area with, we're told, the best coffee in a two-mile radius. Photography is fine for personal use; please ask before filming sparring.
Frequently asked
- Do I need my own sword? No. Loaner synthetics and steel trainers are included with every membership and trial class. Most students buy their first feder around month four, and we'll help you choose well.
- Is it safe? Yes — modern HEMA uses rigorous protective equipment and graded intensity. Bruises happen; injuries are rarer than in most recreational sports.
- How fit do I need to be? If you can climb a flight of stairs, you can start. Conditioning builds naturally with practice.
- Do you buy or sell antiques? We don't deal in antiques, but we restore them and can provide written condition reports for insurance or estate purposes.
- Gift certificates? Available for trial months, private lessons and engraving commissions — the most memorable gift you'll give this year.
Cookie Policy
Last updated: July 6, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Art&Sword LLC ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on artsword.us (the "Site"). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site function correctly, remember your preferences, and provide information to site owners about how the site is used. Similar technologies include local storage, pixels and tags; we refer to all of these as "cookies" in this policy.
2. Cookies we use
| Category | Purpose | Examples | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Core functionality, security, remembering your cookie consent choice. | as_consent (local storage) | 12 months |
| Functional | Remembering preferences such as previously viewed pages within a session. | Session storage | Session |
| Analytics | Understanding aggregate site usage so we can improve content (only if you consent). | Analytics cookies | Up to 24 months |
| Advertising | Measuring the effectiveness of our Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) campaigns via the UET tag (only if you consent). | MUID, _uetsid, _uetvid | Up to 13 months |
| Third-party embedded content | Our contact page embeds Google Maps, which may set cookies governed by Google's own policies. | Google Maps cookies | Per Google policy |
3. Your choices
When you first visit the Site, a banner lets you accept or decline non-essential cookies. You may change your mind at any time by clearing your browser's cookies and local storage for artsword.us, after which the banner will reappear. You can also configure your browser to block or delete cookies; note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect Site functionality.
- Microsoft advertising opt-out: visit Microsoft's Ad Settings page.
- Google cookie controls: visit Google's Ads Settings and Privacy pages.
- Industry opt-outs: aboutads.info/choices and optout.networkadvertising.org.
4. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology or law. The "Last updated" date above indicates the latest revision. Material changes will be highlighted on the Site.
5. Contact
Questions about this policy? Contact Art&Sword LLC, 965 Brant Hollow Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, US · 970-881-2690 · parry@artsword.us.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 6, 2026
Art&Sword LLC ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose and protect personal information when you visit artsword.us, contact us, or use our services in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US.
1. Information we collect
- Information you provide: name, email address, phone number and message contents when you submit our contact form, book a class, request a commission, or communicate with us by phone or email.
- Automatically collected information: IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed and referring URLs, collected via cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy.
- Advertising data: if you arrive via a Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) campaign and consent to advertising cookies, conversion and interaction data may be collected through the Microsoft UET tag.
2. How we use information
- To respond to inquiries, schedule classes and fulfill commissions or restoration work;
- To operate, secure and improve the Site;
- To measure the performance of our advertising campaigns;
- To send service-related communications (we do not send marketing email without your consent);
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.
3. Sharing of information
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with: (a) service providers who help us operate the Site and our business (e.g., hosting, email, analytics, Microsoft Advertising), bound by appropriate safeguards; (b) authorities where required by law; and (c) a successor entity in the event of a business transfer. Embedded third-party content (such as Google Maps) is governed by the privacy policies of those providers.
4. Data retention
We retain contact inquiries for up to 24 months, commission and restoration records for as long as needed to document provenance and warranty obligations, and analytics data in aggregate form. You may request deletion at any time (see Section 6).
5. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the data we hold. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Your rights
Depending on your place of residence (including under the Colorado Privacy Act), you may have rights to access, correct, delete or obtain a copy of your personal information, and to opt out of targeted advertising. To exercise any right, email parry@artsword.us with the subject line "Privacy Request." We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law and will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights. If we deny your request, you may appeal by replying to our decision.
7. Children's privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information online. Youth program enrollment is completed by a parent or guardian in person or by phone.
8. Changes & contact
We may update this policy periodically; the date above reflects the latest version. Questions or requests: Art&Sword LLC, 965 Brant Hollow Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, US · 970-881-2690 · parry@artsword.us.
Advertising Policy
Last updated: July 6, 2026 · Applies to Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads)
This Advertising Policy explains how Art&Sword LLC conducts online advertising, including campaigns run through Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads), and the standards we hold ourselves to.
1. What we advertise
Our advertisements promote lawful, real services offered at our Colorado Springs studio: historical fencing classes for adults and youth, private instruction, blade artistry services (engraving, etching, scabbard making) and restoration of antique edged weapons. We do not sell weapons through this Site, do not advertise to children, and do not promote violence. All swordsmanship instruction is a regulated-safety martial art conducted with protective equipment.
2. Truthful advertising commitments
- All prices, offers and promotions shown in ads are accurate at the time of publication and honored as stated;
- "Free trial class" offers carry no purchase obligation and no automatic enrollment;
- We do not use misleading claims, fake urgency, or testimonials that do not reflect genuine student experiences;
- Landing pages match the substance of the ads that lead to them;
- We comply with Microsoft Advertising policies and applicable US advertising law, including FTC guidelines.
3. Tracking and measurement
To measure campaign effectiveness we may use the Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) tag, which sets cookies described in our Cookie Policy. These technologies activate only if you consent via our cookie banner. Collected data (such as page visits and conversion events like form submissions) is used in aggregate to evaluate and improve campaigns; it is not used to identify you personally by us.
4. Your choices
- Decline advertising cookies via our cookie banner — ads will still work, we simply won't measure your visit;
- Opt out of Microsoft personalized advertising at Microsoft's Ad Settings page;
- Use industry tools at aboutads.info/choices to manage interest-based advertising generally.
5. Contact
Concerns about one of our advertisements? We take them seriously. Contact Art&Sword LLC, 965 Brant Hollow Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, US · 970-881-2690 · parry@artsword.us.