Sword and Blade Heritage Association (SABHA)
SABHA was formed in late 2025 to represent the interests of everyone using swords and other bladed articles in sports, heritage, hobbies, education, entertainment, crafts and trade. UK laws concerning blades have become ever more complicated and restrictive and the need for SABHA is now unavoidable.
Whether you are a fencer, re-enactor, martial-artist, actor or choreographer, bladesmith, antique dealer, auctioneer, restorer or conservator, bushcrafter, fieldsports and outdoor enthusiast, farmer, gardener, butcher, caterer, archaeologist, museum worker, Sikh or Highland dancer, the ever-shifting UK laws pertaining to blades will affect your life.
While SABHA primarily functions to share information and coordinate action between diverse groups of people and businesses affected by new legislation, we also assist law makers, the Police, NPCC, Home Office and solicitors.
Who uses swords in the UK? - Fencers (in schools, universities, holiday camps and clubs)
- Historical re-enactors (everything from medieval, to English Civil War, Napoleonic & Victorian)
- Martial artists (Asian and European martial arts)
- Actors and drama students
- Fight choreographers
- Stunt performers
- Theatres
- Movie sets
- State ceremonies (e.g. in Parliament and Royal events)
- Museums
- Experimental archaeologists
- Artists and galleries
- Dancers (eg. belly dancing)
- Highland Scottish events
- Traditional Indian ceremonies & Sikhs
- Collectors and researchers
- Makers/sellers of Armed Forces parade swords (military are exempted, but not their families or suppliers)
- The British Army and Navy (who are exempted, but not once they retire from service and still own their parade sword)
- Police dress swords
- Antique sword collectors, historians & researchers
- Fencers (in schools, universities, holiday camps and clubs)
- Historical re-enactors (everything from medieval, to English Civil War, Napoleonic & Victorian)
- Martial artists (Asian and European martial arts)
- Actors and drama students
- Fight choreographers
- Stunt performers
- Theatres
- Movie sets
- State ceremonies (e.g. in Parliament and Royal events)
- Museums
- Experimental archaeologists
- Artists and galleries
- Dancers (eg. belly dancing)
- Highland Scottish events
- Traditional Indian ceremonies & Sikhs
- Collectors and researchers
- Makers/sellers of Armed Forces parade swords (military are exempted, but not their families or suppliers)
- The British Army and Navy (who are exempted, but not once they retire from service and still own their parade sword)
- Police dress swords
- Antique sword collectors, historians & researchers
What does SABHA do?
We currently focus on sharing information and coordinating responses to public consultations on weapons legislation which affects the above activities, as well as associated activities such as archery. You can see our current activity on our Facebook page here. There you will find various letters to Ministers, responses to the Home Office, and MP letters with their responses.
Some of our followers are also involved in various advisory groups, working with the Police, Government and Ministers.
Therefore the current role revolves around attempting to guide and influence people with shared interests, with a coordinated voice, during a period of intense policy proposals coming from the UK Government. From ninja swords, to firearms used in re-enactment, to crossbows and archery, there is a lot happening right now.
How can you get involved?
For now, the best way to get involved is to join the Facebook page, and keep an eye on developments there. But we are looking longer term at an official membership system, with patron and supporter model, while still maintaining the free and open discussion platform that people have been engaging with so far.
If you are not on Facebook then you can contact me through this website and we can maintain contact through a mailing list. We are also looking into establishing a WhatsApp or similar platform.
What other things might SABHA do in the future?
- Promote lawful activities involving blades in the media
- Bring together in one discussion forum the diverse range of activities legally using swords and blades
- Campaign for the removing of curved swords from the Offensive Weapons Act
- Campaign for the removal of some other objects from the Offensive Weapons Act
- Campaign for a complete revision and rethinking of the Offensive Weapons Act
- Work with shipping companies to create more and better solutions
- Work with insurers to provide better options for our activities
- Legal representation options against wrongful arrests and seizures
- Work with banks and payment platforms to protect our activities
- Provide guidance and training to the Police who are currently struggling with the legislation