Our invaluable scoring system comes from experience and not guesswork. We don't need to copy information from any of our less knowledgeable competitors. At Medieval Fight Club you can be assured that we tell it like it really is - no bogus claims to secure a sale. Many other sellers of swords would have you think that every sword in their range is "full tang" and "hand forged". Others have some obscure story about how thickness of steel in armour doesn't matter either historically or for your modern day combat needs. We have the experience it takes to be accurate and therefore here at Medieval Fight Club you will only get the truth about each and every item we sell. You can trust us and you only need to try us to find that out for yourself. With the best range, the best price, the most truthful & accurate advice - you will never buy from anyone else again.

We are offering two separate scoring systems, one for weapons and another for armour. Both are similar in that the higher the number the better the rating however both have different explanations for each level in the rating system.


How can I tell the combat readiness of Medieval Fight Club items?
Medieval Fight Club battle test all weaponry & armour that comes into our warehouse even when it clearly isn't battle ready we feel it is important to be able to give you an honest view of each item. Please look in the description for the "Combat Readiness Score" & for a simple description of how combat ready our tests show that item to be. This score is in despite of appearance and is purely about function. Please note all our scoring is out of 10, if you find a potential combat item that has not been scored, then let us know and we will give it a combat test & supply a score as soon as we can.

Swords scoring is defined as follows:

Why do we feel a combat rating is important with weapons? The short answer is because we know what we are talking about. Many people are choosing swords for different reasons and if in doubt please read our article on selecting a sword. If you just want something to hang on a wall then you can afford to ignore ratings like this however if you plan to use it in any form of combat then you must take notice of this scoring system.

  • 1 - 2 indicates unworthiness for combat. Although it might look great, it may fall apart in its first real combat.
  • 3 - 4 suggests that upgrades to the item are required otherwise expect it to deteriorate.
  • 5 - 6 it can be used in battle but has a known weak point under severe force, usually at the hilt or the cross-guard itself.
  • 7 - 8 a strong sturdy item that will tolerate most situations, usually requires dulling.
  • 9 - Blades have a full tang and a blunt edge with a low temper, ready for use. In most cases this rating suggests a full tang (full width and length) blade. These blade often have a nice ring to them and are ideal for theatrical combat. In the case of axe/spear heads they may need mounting.
  • 10 - Blades have a full tang, perfect temper but may require dulling of point. In all cases this rating means a full tang (full width and length) blade.

  • Helmet & armour readiness scoring is defined as follows:

    How do we rate helmets & armour? The simple answer is that we try it out, we use and abuse it until it damages or we are satisfied with the result. It is because of this fact that we know exactly what we are talking about. It is not always about thickness (although it does count) it is some times about the geometric design and how well it is constructed. Other factors which relate to readiness also play a part in our scoring system. For example can it be worn immediately without modifications and if not how many modifications will it take before you can safely wear it on the field or on stage. PLEASE NOTE: This score is about readiness and not overall toughness, it is not an exact science and although we take great care to run each item through a series of consistent tests, some extreme situations may show different results.

  • 1 - 3 indicates unworthiness for combat. Although it might look great, it may fall apart or cave in it in its first real combat.
  • 4 - 6 it can be used in battle but has a known weak point under severe force and is likely to collapse under moderate to light force.
  • 7 - 8 a strong sturdy item that will tolerate most situations. May require additional strapping or padding. Not suitable for heavy combat but should be ok for theatrical and light WMA/HEMA combat techniques.
  • 9 - Ready to use, just fit it to your arming cote and use. Helmets may benefit from additional padding or arming caps.
  • 10 - Ready to use without need for modifications or helmet padding. 100% battle ready guaranteed. In most cases these items are similar in quality to those rated at a 9 but they are often thicker.


  • Why should we trust the MFC combat rating system?
    Our knowledge is based on actual experience. This is what sets us apart from other weapon and armour sellers. All rated items have been tested in a standard and controlled method established by our founder. This information in this document was also prepared by Aaron Southwell with the intention to assist people in understanding our experienced opinion related to our readiness score. Aaron is one of the founders and has a very "hands on" role with all areas of Medieval Fight Club. He has over 30 years re-enactment & western combat experience.