Hugo Voisine wrote: |
Wow Craig, thank you very much for the last picture. It's very nice to have multiple blade options from which you can choose...
I'd like to order one, but I'm having a hard time deciding between the different blade options... |
Hi Hugo
Here is a bit more info on the blades to detail what’s available. We have been doing stage and training blades since the mid eighties at least and have learned over the years there is no one answer for the best training weapon. There are to many variables between systems and users and the style one is focusing on should dictate more on the choice of tool one uses than probably anything else.
The result is we have tried to create a training option for our customers who would like something from us to train with that is more economically approachable than our stock hilts and allows for a very flexible blade usage to meet as many needs as possible. There are other options in the market that work quite well, Darkwood for example, for those looking for more hilt options. Scott and Patrick make some great stuff. This was developed to provide those of our customers who wanted a training piece from us and had a need for a variety of weapons or wanted a us to make a good training rapier/complex hilted cutting sword for their schools or students. These blade options would, in most cases, be available on our stock hilts as well :).
The hilt pictured in the first post of this thread can be fit on all the blade options I will list here and are pictured in the attachment.
[ Linked Image ]
A- Standard A&A sharp rapier blade.
B- Standard diamond cross-section blade as A with rebated edges. This is most often the choice for stage combat users and some reenactors.
C- A rectangular cross-sectioned blade from the ricasso to the tip. Replicates the action of the more cut orientated blades often associated with what are termed Spada di Lato or side swords. This style of combat can generate a great deal of force and durability is maximized with this blade shape.
D- What we call our nail blade. It starts out at the shoulders in a diamond cross-section and transitions into a rectangular cross section in mid blade to a flexible foible of the same cross section. This can have a nail tipped as seen in E or without as pictured in D. This allows for more give in the thrust than the C style blade. On the narrow blade with a flexible touch one can safely do quite deep thrusts with this blade, as its flex is considerable.
All of these can usually be done from our wide or narrow style rapier blade though C done on the narrow will not really gain you much and the D style gives a better blade dynamic on the narrow blade. A stiff forte and a flexible foible as described above.
Recently I have seen quite a few stage combatants moving to the other styles of blade than B for durability and safety. This is especially the case with practice weapons for new students.
The weights and feel of the blades are designed to replicate the same as the sharp blades would feel and allow for very similar action to the historic weapons, but with vastly increased durability and longevity.
All of these blades have been developed with to main influences. The first being a very close look at as many original training blades as possible and a collection of data on those we have not been able to handle. For this we have to thank many friends and colleagues that have shared with us their experiences and data. The other is an extensive period of testing and use by many of the leading WMA practitioners around and development of several swords to their specific needs and specs. This has been the most illuminating in the variety of needs in the community to produce items that work well, stand up to extensive use and provide the feel and play they have spent years refining to make these historic fighting systems work well.
I hope this helps in explaining what we have developed and what options may work best for you.
Best
Craig