The Iron Door studio is operated by an internationally recognized professional swordsman and leading researcher. It is the first fencing studio in modern times designed specifically for studying Medieval and Renaissance sword fighting and close-combat skills. This is the only permanent structure of its kind in North America! Complete with weapon racks, pells, striking targets, training diagrams, punching bags, test-cutting stands, wall mirrors, exercise equipment, free-weights, and a padded floor. 

Iron Door school of arms employs the ARMA System---a Study Approach and Training Methodology for historical fencing practice using a 3-Tier curriculum of exercises, drills, free-play, experiment, research, and scholarship. Through reliance on historical source texts and knowledge of the true handling and performance characteristics of real arms and armor of the 13th to 17th centuries, the ARMA System emphasizes understanding the violent nature of real personal combat, appreciation for proper body mechanics and physical conditioning, awareness of correct leverage and contact pressure, and the execution of fighting actions in real time at effective range with proper energy and speed.

The Iron Door studio also acts as a hands-on experimental laboratory for investigating historical European fighting arts and an information-center for addressing the long-standing public misconceptions and inaccuracies about Medieval and Renaissance combat. It is dedicated to development of high-level understanding and personal proficiency. The facility is also suited for production of multimedia training materials.

Devoted to prowess not reenactment, Iron Door is committed to education and awareness of Medieval and Renaissance fencing systems: no stunt fencing, no theatrics, no role-play, no tap fighting sword-tag, no costumed sporting game masquerading as martial art, and absolutely no pretense, just serious learning of genuine European combatives from the 1200s to 1600s--over 400 hundred years of Western martial culture and close-combat expertise.

Our curriculum offers a revolutionary breakthrough and pioneering advancement in reconstruction of Renaissance combatives. Centering on the longsword it presents the modern era’s most complete revival of the historical source teachings yet developed. Raising the credibility and legitimacy of the subject to a higher level, the curriculum does not allow studying the minutiae to be confused with learning “the fight.” Style and form derive from function of action, not collections of mere technique, while principles and concepts are approached holistically, not re-structured into a modern mindset. The martial athleticism and disciplined violence of the Renaissance Art of Defense can now be learned from the historical sources as it once was—with brutal simplicity and systematic elegance.

Being a part of the old fighting guilds and studying under a master in a Fechtschule was about much more than having the martial spirit and physical conditioning to skillfully execute techniques. It was also about shared values and issues of camaraderie, mutual respect, trust, and loyalty. Experiencing these things is as much a part of exploring and celebrating our Renaissance martial heritage as is learning fighting techniques. It is no less an aspect to revive than the skills themselves. Iron Door aims to be a modern living embodiment of this legacy.

John Clements -North America's foremost swordsman. Featured in the documentary film Reclaiming the Blade, National Geographic Medieval Fight Book,and the PBS Nova episode, Secrets of the Viking Sword.

He was a co-host and judge for the 2019 armored combat sport program Knight Fight on The History Channel.

*We also offer special crash courses for acting professionals in stunt fencing, stage & theatrical swordplay, and armed combat performance. Learn how to fight like you're acting, not act like you're fighting through the “SAFE” method (our “Spontaneous Arranged Fight Exchange” system). “Fighting first, acting second.” Inquire about rates and availability.

Our Credo of Renaissance Martial Arts Studies:

Respect for History and Heritage
Sincerity of Effort
Integrity of Scholarship
Appreciation of Martial Spirit
Cultivation of Self-Discipline

Proper martial art training does not just build good character, its reveals character.