Perfect for thrusting, the
Rapier sword was often carried as a sidearm by men in the late Renaissance period. The Rapier has a distinct long tapering blade with a multiplex hilt consisting of extensive metal bars, rings, and shells for hand protection. If you are looking forward to buying a Rapier for training purposes, this article will help you choose the most suitable one.
BASICS
The most crucial part of a
Rapier sword is the blade. Make sure that the blade is made of tempered steel and has a blunt edge and tip. The training blade should deliberately be made flexible to encourage safety. However, way too much flexibility can prove difficult while handling the sword. Hence, find the sword with the correct balance in flexibility. Moreover, also be observant that the design is based on the originals from the right period with straight double-edged blade and a firm hilt.
HILT
The Rapier should have a single-handed grip that assists in the clasping of forefingers over the cross-piece. Even though many variations in hilt designs are available, the most popular ones are the two and three-ringed swept hilts which were widely common in the late 16th century. The Hilt’s ring and the corresponding bars provided protection for the hands. It is important to consider that metal cup hilts are suitable for fencing that came after the late 16th century only. Also, if you are left-handed, make sure that the manufacturer is informed before time so that you are accommodated accordingly, as the standard models presume right-handed fencers.
BLADE LENGTH
The ideal blade for training is around 35-50 inches from the cross of the hilt. On average, a period piece is usually 40 inches. Even though the blade length is largely dependent on personal preference, it is important to note that longer swords are better at thrusting while shorter swords are better at cutting. Moreover, a typical hilt is usually around 6 inches. Hence, add the length to get the total sword length.
WEIGHT
The sword's weight must be between 1kg and 1.5 kg and the historical models were typically around 1.3kg. When choosing a sword, make sure you are aware of your upper body and arm strength. If you are strong, select the sword from the upper range for better attack power. However, if you are not very strong, select a lighter sword for easier wielding. Moreover, even though physical control is crucial, do not select a very light sword as it will not function as a proper weapon.
BALANCE
The place where the weapon is balanced when placed across the finger is known as the Point of Balance. On Rapiers, it is usually 4inches to 6 inches above the hilt’s cross. Average weapons had the point of balance at around 5 inches. The ideal balance also depends on personal preference as both, the balance at the lower end of the scale and the upper end of the scale have their own advantages. While it is a lot easier to handle the lower point of balance, the blade action at the upper point of balance has a lot more power and strength.
CLASSIFICATION
Even though the name
Rapier is pretty famous, it is also sometimes classified as ‘Renaissance Sword’ and ‘Sidesword’, so be aware that different swordsmiths call it by different names while selecting your sword.
We hope that this article will help you with the basics of selecting the ideal training Rapier. If you want to buy a high-quality Rapier sword that fits your needs, do visit SwordsSwords.com
