SMALLSWORD HILT FOR HISTORICAL FENCING (HEMA) VERSION 02 for RESIN Printing

Buy printed hilts here: https://www.aetheredgearmoury.com/products

NEW - Version 02.17

This is a Smallsword hilt for use in HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) fencing when combined with an Epee sports fencing blade. The website above has more information.

The hilt has been designed to be combined with a standard epee blade and readily accessible metal parts to offer a cheap and easily accessible simulacrum to a historical hilt, which in due course can be swapped out for a fancy metal hilt while keeping the blade - if you end up liking the sport, which I am sure you will!

Many iterations have been developed and tested before uploading these files, however, I am always looking to improve if you have any feedback.

Based on period-appropriate historical smallsword hilts, the measurements including the guard length and point of balance are comparable with recorded examples. The consensus (as I understand it) is that Smallsword evolved from the Rapier so the principal parts of the hilt are retained but much smaller. The index finger no longer goes through the finger loops (now vestigial loops) but rests along the back, with the thumb on the other side of the Ricasso pinching the hilt between the two to give good tip control. The remaining three fingers gently hold the grip section under the Knuckle Bow.

There are 3 files that make up the complete hilt, the Shell Guard, Quillions and the Grip, please see the printing instructions below.

STATS

Total hilt length: 150mm
Grip length: 85mm
Ricasso length: 27.5mm
Width across vestigial finger loops: 65mm
Point of Balance in front of the hilt: 75mm
Shell Guard: 80mm x 70mm x 3mm
Blade length: 820mm
Blade weight: 140g
Hilt weight: 130g
Total weight: 270g

Historical Smallsword Measurements

Non-3D Printed Parts Required

Blade: Standard triangular size 2 epee blade with a 'long tang' commonly available. NOTE: This needs to be modified by cutting the tang down to 135-140mm (including the square section) and re-threading if necessary.

Pommel: 25-30mm steel ball knob with a M6 thread, depending on the brand of blade and where you would like the Point of Ballance (eBay)

Pommel Washer: M6 solid countersunk NFE27-619 (accu.co.uk)

Shell Guard Washer: M8 square hole washer DIN 440 (accu.co.uk) - A M6 washer does fit most blades but some have a slightly wider square tang where it meets the blade, so an M8 washer fits all.

OLD Version V01 available here:

Recommended Print Settings

Designed for Resin Printing - FDM awaiting testing

I use a nylon-like resin which has good impact resistance, is very strong/hard with a little elasticity to prevent it from being too brittle.

Initial tests used Resione K+ Black Tough https://www.resione.com/collections/tough-resin/products/k-plus

The current preferred option is:
70% Siraya Tech Blu Resin Black Nylon
https://siraya.tech/products/blu-tough-resin-by-siraya?variant=40164575215725
30% Siraya Tech Tenacious Resin Obsidian Black
https://siraya.tech/products/tenacious-resin-flexible-resin

IMPORTANT: Print the Quilltion and Guard flat, horizontal to the print bed. The direction of the layers needs to provide strength. I print the grip standing up vertically.