This sounds like a simple title. Well, it is. I want this area to be for anyone to ask about weapons and have their questions answered by anyone else. My personal question is Great swords. In my mind this is a great weapon. Anyone else with thoughts or maybe some teachings on this question?

I'd like to know how many different styles of rapier fencing there were. Currently the styles I've heard of are Italian rapier and Spanish rapier and German rapier, and one mention of English rapier. Now I do know that rapiers are usually titled with the country they were made in, so I'm not confused here in regard to that; I'm just asking what the differences were between each fighing style.

also, which hilt style is the best for the various styles of rapier fencing? Cup hilts are best for _____? _____ style goes best with pappenheimer hilts? swept hilts best fit the ____ kind of style. etc.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Seth

Folks,
We don't need one thread for many questions. :) Please make separate topics for, well, separate topics. :)

They may be great in stature, but I personally prefer something smaller, something you can lug around without having to worry about cutting the chandeliers from the ceiling. And something that goes with a shield. (or a bec the corbin, I like them too)

So, I disagree, I do not think they are all that great, because they are so great (in stature) and still are not prime material for can-opening.

I agree. Having fought with greatsword simulators and handled both replicas and seen up close the real thing, they have their uses, (causing a mess in someone else's formation, denying a large chunk of battlefield, etc) but in a close-in fight, or against a sword-and-shield or polearm, they can be beaten by someone who has a clue. I would prefer a halberd to a great sword.


Rapiers.... for "schools" of fighting, the various ones I know of (from my limited amount of study, I primarily focus on the 1100-1300s and armored combat): Italian: they fight to win. Dirty tricks, rapier and dagger or other weapon etc, everything is "legal" because they train to fight a real fight (not a pretty first-blood duel).

French: More formal, more "duelling", somewhat like modern fencing.

Spanish: Mental. The circles of fencing. They don't fight you, they put you in a position to where you finally attack THEM and then they wipe the floor with you. Having fenced (not being a particularly good fencer, but I can hold my own) against a Spanish-style fencer.. they drive me nuts.

I know the Germans had a few styles of their own but I haven't studied them.

Thanks for that reply.

Also, I am wanting to learn Rapier soon and would like some advice on a good budget piece that effectively replicates actual rapier handling and not merely a large smallsword/epee. I WANT the three-ring Italian rapier by A&A, but it's $700 price tag and sharp blade not suited for practicing swordplay with another sort of make me back away for now. Do A&A's "nail" practice blades for their rapiers replicate the look and feel of the model they're based on? Or are they simply a super skinny, almost foil-like practice blade? What are some other good options? Any help? Thanks in advance.

Also, I saw in one review of a rapier that the reviewer bashed the piece for being "too light and performing like a modern epee". My question is, Why's this bad? wouldn't a dueller WANT a large but very light piece that's easier to handle than others like it? even if that means using double-time parries rather than single-time parries (which I'm having a hard time getting my mind around how this works anyway... seems too complicated)? I would GREATLY appreciate input on this.

Thank you for your input, sir.

Im still wondering whats a good rapier our there for me to get. Though I'd love to get A&A's stuff, my wallet is directing to to Hanwei, Windlass, and some other models, whose manufacturer I know not of, on ebay.

In regards to the nail blades, you say they are great, but that really didnt answer my question. I wanted to know if they looked and handled like the regular rapier blades they have for each individual model. I just LOVE the look of the italian 3-ring A&A, so it wouldn't seem good to me to buy a thinner, basic-looking, universal blade for it.

Also, I would like ask if someone could direct me to a good site and maybe some videos that visually show me just how to perform correct rapier fencing. All the photo's I've seen whether they be exerpts from manuals or stills from historical fencing organizations show the fencers in dramatic, over-the-top poses and almost always in the finishing position of most of their moves, but take little effort to explain how to end up in that position or to perform any actions.

thanks in advance!

Seth

Most fencing groups I am aware of require you to use a tip of some kind on your sword, with the "nail-head" types being the predominantly preferred. Two other rapier makers you may not be as aware of (and are slightly cheaper than A&A) are Darkwood and James the Just. Both design rapiers predominantly for an SCA fencing market, but both custom make their hilts, and if you discuss what you want with them, you can end up with just about anything.