Evangelical “Christians” 
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(off-topic from your post, but you're someone here to ask about this)
How much would be reasonable to expect to spend on beginner gear in the US for HEMA, for two-handed longsword? (Mask, gorget, gloves, jacket, longsword)
I've been borrowing, and don't want to keep doing that.
I know it leans expensive. I'm double-checking with you (thank you) that I'm not missing out on a smarter avenue. My irl people (each deeply libshit) are pointing to Purpleheart Armoury as the only worthwhile option. True or not true?
How much would be reasonable to expect to spend on beginner gear in the US for HEMA, for two-handed longsword? (Mask, gorget, gloves, jacket, longsword)
I've been borrowing, and don't want to keep doing that.
I know it leans expensive. I'm double-checking with you (thank you) that I'm not missing out on a smarter avenue. My irl people (each deeply libshit) are pointing to Purpleheart Armoury as the only worthwhile option. True or not true?
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unless you want to pay extra in tariffs to get stuff direct from european manufacturers, your main options for US distributors of HEMA gear are going to be either SoCal Swords (socalswords.com) or Purpleheart Armoury (woodenswords.com). between the two I have bought more from PHA because they have a wider selection of stuff and its more often in-stock than stuff from SoCal. I also am biased towards supporting PHA because I have personally visited them at their warehouse in Houston, Texas and they are wonderful people. That being said, I have bought stuff from SoCal before simply because they had stuff that was actually in-stock but was out of stock at PHA.
Your priority for HEMA gear acquisition is pretty much what you listed in order, which ought to be a mask first, then gorget, then heavy clamshell gloves (don't start with five finger gloves), then a jacket, and last a longsword feder. ngl it would be costly to buy all of them at the same time, so its best to get them over time without breaking your bank.
Here are my personal recs:
Mask:
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/red-dragon-hema-red-dragon-fencing-mask/ (in general I do not recommend Kult of Athena for HEMA gear but this mask is a solid budget-friendly choice)
Gorget:
https://socalswords.com/products/destroyer-modz-roughneck-gorget
for gloves I swear by HF Black Knights but they are almost always out of stock everywhere. If you're willing to stomach tariffs and shipping cost, this is the one piece of gear that may be worth importing direct as you don't want to skimp out with investing on hand protection and if I'm being honest I have seen failures with every other glove manufacturer EXCEPT the Black Knights. That being said, I would still recommend the SPES Heavy Gloves which are usually always in stock:
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-gloves.v3.htm
for jacket I recommend the SPES AP Plus Light but it can be a little pricey:
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-j-lt.htm
if you want a more affordable jacket, I personally started HEMA with the Red Dragon jacket from KoA. its a little stiff in the beginning but it breaks in fine and is adequate protection. but I did eventually upgrade to a SPES jacket myself
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/red-dragon-hema-sparring-jacket/
I would not worry about what feder to get until you have all the protective gear
Your priority for HEMA gear acquisition is pretty much what you listed in order, which ought to be a mask first, then gorget, then heavy clamshell gloves (don't start with five finger gloves), then a jacket, and last a longsword feder. ngl it would be costly to buy all of them at the same time, so its best to get them over time without breaking your bank.
Here are my personal recs:
Mask:
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/red-dragon-hema-red-dragon-fencing-mask/ (in general I do not recommend Kult of Athena for HEMA gear but this mask is a solid budget-friendly choice)
Gorget:
https://socalswords.com/products/destroyer-modz-roughneck-gorget
for gloves I swear by HF Black Knights but they are almost always out of stock everywhere. If you're willing to stomach tariffs and shipping cost, this is the one piece of gear that may be worth importing direct as you don't want to skimp out with investing on hand protection and if I'm being honest I have seen failures with every other glove manufacturer EXCEPT the Black Knights. That being said, I would still recommend the SPES Heavy Gloves which are usually always in stock:
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-gloves.v3.htm
for jacket I recommend the SPES AP Plus Light but it can be a little pricey:
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-j-lt.htm
if you want a more affordable jacket, I personally started HEMA with the Red Dragon jacket from KoA. its a little stiff in the beginning but it breaks in fine and is adequate protection. but I did eventually upgrade to a SPES jacket myself
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/red-dragon-hema-sparring-jacket/
I would not worry about what feder to get until you have all the protective gear
🍻 Thank you so much