Mano a Mano: The art and amusement of modern medieval duels
Art by Teddy Rosen
If you’ve ever dreamed of controlled combat while attempting to look heroic, Baer Swords School of Western Martial Arts is the place for you.
Baer Swords offers a range of classes to suit every knight’s needs, from one-handed and two-handed sword techniques to specialty classes like stage fighting and lightsabers. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, Baer Swords is the place to give it a stab.
Founded in 2015 by Western Martial Artist Baer Kenney and his wife, Kat, Baer Swords has become a cornerstone for sword-fighting enthusiasts in Kansas City. “Almost everyone picks up a stick and plays ‘swords’ when they’re little. Whether you’re fighting a sibling or the neighborhood tree, you can picture yourself as a gallant knight or hero/heroine. I simply never stopped,” Kenney says.
What started as a childhood obsession eventually led Kenney to competitive fencing in high school.
“I soon graduated to the ultimate nerd heaven, Renaissance festivals, and fought there for a couple of decades,” he says. He later developed his “Fight a Knight” system, offering people the chance to duel with skilled swordfighters like him. Eventually, this led to teaching students regularly.
“It was my wife, actually, that got me to make the leap to an actual school,” Kenney says. “Our first two months were in a field near our home before we got our act together and moved into an indoor facility.” Over a decade later, the couple continues to run the school.
When the opportunity to try sword fighting came up, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Naturally, I roped in a few hesitant family members to join me in a two-handed sword class.
Art by Teddy Rosen
Before Baer Swords, my only experience in sword fighting came from Wii Sports Resort. In my youth, I spent hours flailing a plastic Wii-mote too close to the screen, trying to defeat my most longstanding enemy—my older brother. Fun, sure. But I wasn’t exactly preparing for the big leagues.
So, when I walked into Baer Swords, I had zero idea of what I was getting myself into. Sword fighting at Baer Swords requires much more control. Plus, you get to wield something more substantial than a sweaty Wii remote.
Baer Swords provides all the necessary gear: swords, jackets, gloves, and helmets. Just show up in comfy clothes and tennis shoes. The first class is only $10, and subsequent classes are $20 each. For regulars, memberships are available to help reduce the cost.
While there are several instructors, we had the master himself, Baer Kenney, as our teacher. His voice could easily double as an announcer for a gladiator fight. A “Hear ye, hear ye!” would have fit right in. I half expected him to emerge in chain-link armor and start quoting Shakespeare. Not that I’d mind.
Kenney begins each class by explaining the fundamentals of the two-handed sword. Beginner classes are open to everyone, mixing new and experienced students. Each session introduces a new technique, so everyone has something to learn or refine.
At first, we were all overwhelmed. There was a lot of aimless swinging during the first hour or so, but Kenney did an excellent job of teaching the fundamentals: footwork, hand placement, and basic defensive and offensive moves.
Once the basics were covered, we moved to sparring. This was the moment to test (or try to) what we had learned. Of course, everything I had absorbed vanished the moment I stepped into the duel. My footwork was likely offensive to anyone with an eye for technique.
Naturally, I had an agenda when I invited my family to come with me. The time had come for me to finally face off against my older brother. After all, what’s a family outing without a chaotic medieval duel?
Neither of us are known for our hand-eye coordination skills, so I’m sure it was a sight to behold. I was channeling my inner Inigo Montoya, but I probably looked more like someone aggressively swatting at a fly. I swung with purpose but very little accuracy. But for us (or maybe just me), it was the controlled fighting we’d prepared for for over two decades.
Art by Teddy Rosen
In the end, I’d argue victory was mine, though anyone familiar with Western Martial Arts probably thought that there were no winners in this junction.
By the end of class, we were all drenched in sweat. It was an intense full-body workout, amplified by the sauna-like effect of the jackets, gloves, and helmets.
And let’s not forget how much fun this could be with a significant other or friends. Picture this: a Saturday afternoon, you and your partner suited up in helmets and gloves, ready to settle who’s choosing the movie for the night.
If you’re really feeling adventurous, why not challenge your coworkers? Nothing breaks the ice like a full-on duel, and I guarantee no one will ever forget the time Greg from accounting and Janet from HR faced off. Now that’s team building at its finest.
Sword fighting at Baer Swords isn’t just about learning a new skill—It’s about embracing the challenge, feeling like a hero, and maybe even having a little fun at the expense of your coworkers or family. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned warrior, Baer Swords offers a place to step into the world of controlled combat with all the drama and excitement you’ve imagined.
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