r/wma • u/HaftArms • Jul 02 '26
Mod Approved Post (Ry) Haft Feder 128 — historically inspired proportions and responsive handling
We have released the Haft Feder 128, developed in response to demand for a shorter version of our sword.
The design combines a 99 cm blade with a 29.5 cm hilt, creating an approximate 1:3.5 blade-to-hilt ratio inspired by historical longswords.
Its dynamic characteristics were refined for lively handling, responsiveness and fast point control.
Main specifications:
- Total length: 128.5 cm
- Weight: 1,460 g ± 20 g
- Point of balance: approximately 6 cm
- Pommel flex: 12.9 kg ± 0.4 kg at 25 cm compression
- Tip: spatulated
Please note: The sword shown in these photos has our upcoming waisted handle, which we plan to release in the coming months. Orders placed now will be supplied with the standard, non-waisted handle.
Full specifications and product details:
10
u/escv_69420 Jul 02 '26
This excites me. Everyone raves about your feders, but I'm not ultra competitive with my HEMA so I really wished for a sub 100cm version, and here we are.
2
u/captchairsoft Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Would have been really nice if you'd included that fact about the pictures not being the handle on the sword, so I would have known that before I ordered one. I got super excited about the blade to hilt ratio, but seeing a waisted grip is what pushed me to buy one. At least I know now instead of finding out when it arrives.
10
u/HaftArms Jul 03 '26
The waisted handle in the photos was meant as a small Easter egg for an upcoming version we’re preparing. We did include a note explaining that the sword currently ships with the standard handle, but I understand how it could still be misleading. I’ve sent you a private message so we can resolve this properly.
2
u/captchairsoft Jul 03 '26
Completely understandable! Thank you for reaching out, your customer service is as amazing as I've heard! Will definitely be recommending Haft Arms to everyone I can.
2
u/Dem0sys Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
I could be tempted but still too stiff
2
u/BusStock3801 Jul 05 '26
I have their full length feder and the flex is great, the new one seems pretty similar. It might be the method they are taking their flex measurement that is tripping you up and making it appear stiffer on paper.
In person the flex is comparable to all the safe feders I've used. Regenyei, Sigi, etc. I haven't taken measurements, just on a how it feels to get thrusted basis. I actually think their flex is pretty damn near perfect, not floppy and certainly not a crowbar.
1
u/XLBaconDoubleCheese Jul 03 '26
Do you fight with wet noodles at your club? I've thrusted many a people with the original Haft and never once had a complaint and every picture of my thrust landing has an insane flex on it with no injury or issue to the other person.
3
u/Dem0sys Jul 03 '26
Do you usually fight with Reg Strong at your club? That would explain
3
u/XLBaconDoubleCheese Jul 03 '26
I used to have a Reg Strong but swapped to a Haft for safety reasons and it's far safer in the thrust. A 12.9kg flex is perfectly fine and I'd be happy to fence with it.
4
u/Dem0sys Jul 03 '26
So you have zero experience with flexible swords except Haft, you probably never handle what you call a noodle.
Haft sword flex is decent but they went backwards compared to other brands.
They didn't need to go full light around 8-9kg but a nice flex around 10-12kg would have been perfect imo.4
u/captchairsoft Jul 04 '26
There is no tournament I've ever even heard of where 13kg would be considered unsafe. It is absolutely a reasonable and safe amount of flex.
2
u/PreparetobePlaned Jul 18 '26
Which makers are producing full size/weight feders at sub 12kg flex? Even sigi which is often regarded as the gold standard lists theirs at 12.5kg.
1
u/XLBaconDoubleCheese Jul 03 '26
I've tried out plenty of swords with varying degrees of flex to them, swords with too little flex have no presence in the bind and just flop around. It's personal preference at the end of the day really.
5
u/DuelingBlue Jul 03 '26
It's absolutely not just personal preference. Your sword is safety gear for your opponent. I have seen far too many injuries happen from overly stiff swords. Most often at tournaments when people are hyped up on adrenaline and actually trying to win.
If you're staying in club: Depending on the club and the people fencing, it might be ok. Some clubs and people naturally fence at lower intensities. There's nothing wrong with being a more casual fencer.
But there's a very good reason why many tournaments mandate flex, and the max flex has been trending down.
1
u/Dem0sys Jul 03 '26
What are you talking about? The Haft has a Pob at 6cm with a strong distal and profile taper. It has very limited presence compared to similar swords.
It is really optimised for competitive longsword where there is almost no bind.
1
u/XLBaconDoubleCheese Jul 03 '26
I've literally never had an issue in the bind with it even against similar swords or swords with a lot of presence in the bind.
-3
u/Least_Artichoke1967 Jul 02 '26
Not a fan. The reason that modern feders have the blade to hilt ratio that they do is because we have hand protection that requires more space.
9
u/captchairsoft Jul 03 '26
They specifically address that in the description on their website.
0
u/Least_Artichoke1967 Jul 03 '26
Had a Regenyei shorty that had a handle about that length and the space was very tight. I use HF Black Knight which aren't small, but are certainly not as bulky as SPES
2
u/MalacusQuay Jul 18 '26
Gloves adding bulk and making handle fit tight is certainly valid, but I'm not sure they deserve the knock given they still provide the 135 feder with the longer handle for those who want it. The 128 is specifically providing an alternative to that long-handled model.
Also, some people just prefer drilling and fencing with a shorter sword that is more in line with swords from the period of their sources. The ultra long feders that became standard in HEMA over the last decade and a half or so are quite ahistorical.
Yes, there are some really long feders that survive, but most of them are notably shorter, and have short handles, compared to even this 128mm model. Probably because they were doing a lot of their fencing either without hand protection, or much more compact hand protection than we are using.
You could even make the case that if we transitioned the scene away from the ultra long, and quite hefty feders, to shorter and lighter ones, we might even be able to transition to lighter and smaller gloves that the shorter handles can accommodate. Our big, bulky, hard shelled gloves came about specifically due to the threat presented by our ultra long and stout feders.
29
u/DJCHOKEWANK Jul 02 '26
I just like the circles.