Dallas School of Historical Fencing

Real training.

Real history.

Real swordplay.

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Meet our Instructors

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Instructor

Brandon Phan (He/Him)

Brandon first began practicing HEMA in early 2019, studying Liechtenauer's KdF and other German masters. Brandon is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled multi-medalist fencer who helps both competitive and non-compettive students achieve success. He lends students a facilitated, in depth teaching style of the early KdF.

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Instructor & Administrator

Paige Smith (She/Her)

Paige first began practicing HEMA in late 2019, studying Liechtenauer's KdF and his disciple's later 15th century manuscripts. In the competitive scene, she is an achieved competitor in Women's Longsword and received the award "Titan Slayer" in mixed/open Longsword. Paige offers a comprehensive understanding of the 14th and 15th century German masters' philosophies, techniques, and form.

Instructor

Clark Simon (He/Him)

Clark comes from a background in sport fencing and began to study HEMA in 2019. He's since found success on the tournament scene, achieving multiple medals from across the country. He focuses on providing personal instruction tailored to the student to help their growth as a fencer.

Instructor

Jack Murray (He/They)

Jack began HEMA in 2022, with Crossroads Swords and Leviathan Historical Fencing in Orlando, Florida. In addition to being a student of the KdF, Jack specializes in early 17th Century Italian Rapier and 18th Century British Military Swordsmanship. On the competitive circuit, Jack has earned medals in Longsword, Rapier, and Sabre at tournaments including SoCal Swordfight and the Southeastern Renaissance Fencing Open. On the academic side, they have lectured on the relationship between historic fencing philosophies, play, and tournament rules.

Instructor

Liam Coe (He/Him)

Liam found HEMA in late 2019, going right into the competitive scene and medaling in novice longsword. His joy and focus are found in training, growth, and community. A life-long martial artist with a background in western and eastern disciplines, he favors strong and consistent fundamentals and employs a down-to-earth method of instruction. Liam emphasizes bio-mechanics and constants that can be found across a breadth of fighting styles.

Our Founders

Where it all started. DSHF was founded by Andrew Weems and Paul Pleasant in late 2017, built on a dream and a passion to teach DFW locals the art of German Longsword.

Andrew Weems

Andrew began studying Liechtenauer's Kunst des Fechtens in 2007. Previously an instructor and co-founder of Krieg School Denver, Andrew has a proven record of training high-performing fencers. His students have become skilled fighters, instructors, and club-runners, earning medals at the top tournaments in North America, including Longpoint, PHO, MCHO, CombatCon, SERFO, Gesellen Fechten, and SoCal Swordfight.

He has been ranked as high as 15th in the US and 58th in the world for Longsword, and 4th in the world for Sword and Buckler.

Paul Pleasant

Paul first began practicing HEMA in early 2015, studying both Liechtenauer's KdF and Fiore de'i Liberi's Armizare. A dedicated historical fencer, he has been running a KdF study group in the DFW area since the Fall of 2016. Beyond being just a skilled fencer, he is a patient and insightful instructor with a talent for identifying the fundamental movements that make techniques successful and helping students build those fundamentals into their own fencing.