This is a demo, not British Fencing’s website. The clubs, coaches, events and results are BF’s own; the live rankings are calculated here from them, under BF’s Ranking Scheme. Member accounts are made up, and payments are in test mode.

Join free

SWORDSEAT DESIGN FILE NOW AVAILABLE

The SwordSeat™ Design File is now available for those wanting to measure and cut their own SwordSeat, enabling more people to access fencing using the innovative design.

The SwordSeat design file is available as a PDF here.

SwordSeat, which officially launched in January 2025, was developed in response to the prohibitive cost and equipment requirements of wheelchair fencing. The wooden chair can be self assembled by following a design file, which is now available on the BF website.

Rick Rodgers, BF Inclusion Manager (Disability), says, “With thanks again to Professor Ed Elias for his help and support, and to the BF Charity for funding this project we can happily say that the last of the pieces are now in place and signed off by our Safety Committee and Legal support. This means more people can access the SwordSeat by making their own and we’re looking forward to seeing the builds.”

The Design file is a fully illustrated step-by-step guide to build your own SwordSeat from scratch. Although it’s easier to do with the printed SwordSeat pattern (available to purchase here), you can now just follow the ‘measure and cut’ steps to build your own seated fencing equipment with just a couple of pieces of 25mm Fare Eastern ply, a jigsaw, drill, and measuring tape (you may benefit from a set square at times too).

Reminiscent of the childhood DIY guides for building wooden models, this guide talks you through the process of building with clear instructions, helpful hints, and beautiful hand-drawn, and computer modelled images.

The SwordSeat design file is available as a PDF here.

You can also click through to the SwordSeat main page on the BF website and download the file from the bottom of the page – https://www.britishfencing.com/fencing-101/disability-fencing-101/swordseat/

Building your own? We are keen to hear feedback from users, and would like to see images of the end results so please share your progress on your journey to making your training more accessible. Please contact Rick Rodgers with any feedback and pictures.

Useful Links

Disclaimer – “The SwordSeat™ is a chair for community use as part of the development of a seated fencer.   The chair is designed and intended for use only as specified below.  

  1. Use must be restricted to club or recreational fencing
  2. The chair must be manufactured and assembled to the BF SwordSeat specification without any deviation.
  3. Use of the chair must be risk assessed individually for each participant by a coach who is BF registered and has a valid BF SwordSeat™ certification and who is satisfied that the chair is safe for the participant to use and who supervises use of the chair.
  4. Participants have declared to the supervising coach all relevant injuries and disabilities prior to use.

The chair is safe to use only if the above requirements are met.

Manufacturing of SwordSeat™ – Manufacturing of the chair must be undertaken by professionals in strict accordance with the published design.

Assembly- Please ensure that you follow all safety precautions and use appropriate tools during assembly. If you are unsure of your ability to assemble this furniture safely, we recommend professional assistance.

The chair may be used only if the above requirements are met.

By assembling this furniture, you agree that you are solely responsible for its assembly and use. British Fencing provide assembly instructions as a guide, and do not accept any liability for errors in assembly or any resulting injury or damage.  BF excludes (so far as is it is able) any liability (including liability for negligence) arising from the manufacture or use of the chair (including where the chair is not manufactured or used as required above).”