Well, I got this a week or 2 ago, and am just getting around to posting a couple of pics.
I have always loved the Arms and Armor rapiers, and have handled a couple, so I finally broke down and bought my favorite - the Writhen.

I realize that I don't know how to hold a rapier - do i use a "hammer" grip, or loop one or more fingers around something?

It is such a pretty piece, and close to flawless in execution. Another fine job by A&A!

Gordon

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You lucky lucky son of a gun. Those are absolutely beautiful swords and I will have one oh yes... ahem.. anyway... on the Bavarian Rapier I've got you loop your index finger over the guard and it gives you a lot more control... I think this is fairly common for rapiers?

So pretty... :eek:

And yeah, you'd hook your forefinger over the cross. Or the fore- and middlefinger, one on either side of the blade, if you were looking to go Spanish style.

Lovely, of course. As for the grip, it's much harder to describe than do, but you'd generally want to loop your forefinger over the forward quillon and wrap it around the ricasso, with your thumb contacting the end of your forefinger in some fashion. Whatever feels secure. Keep in mind, too, that to draw a long rapier you might use just a loose hammer grip because fingering the ricasso or even just keeping a firm hammer grip at that stage will put your hand in a very awkward and uncomfortable position by the time the hilt is level with your head (tip of the blade still in scabbard). Once the tip of the blade is free you're in something very close to a typical first guard position. That's no coincidence, of course. From there you'd usually move into a middle guard that allows the more comfortable and secure grip described above. You'll notice that this grip also gives you much finer control over the tip of the blade, which is the name of the game when you're trying to jab a few inches of steel into the most attractive targets– eyes, throat, heart, groin, hands, etc. This particular rapier appears to have more potential cutting capability than some, but I can't imagine that it would have enough that you'd want to sacrifice tip control in favor of a hammer grip that would theoretically allow you to put more power into a slashing or hacking blow. Stab, stab, stab, and do it accurately.

Gordon, that's simply stunning! For a great quick intro to the rapier, including how to hold it and basic footwork, check out this article [url]http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_arms_rapier.html [/url] by Bill Grandy.

Congrats Gordon! That's one of A&A's best pieces IMHO. However, if I ever buy another rapier I may go with their Musketeer.

Please see our article Call to Arms: The Italian Rapier for a discussion and illustration of how to hold the rapier.

Yes, congrats!

I've been intrigued by this one quite a bit myself... Still leaning towards the German Rapier & Dagger for my "gotta have a rapier" solution, but this has me thinking. Pics are much appreciated - the more views and angles I get of these pieces, the better I am able to appreciate the work.

Very nice ! Love the hilt work. In addition to what people said above about looping, the angle of the hand is important.... think hand-shake rather than hammer.

The point Sean brought up above about drawing the rapier brings me to a question that has always puzzled me. When you get rapiers particularly Italian ones with a blade length around or exceeding 40 inches, how do you draw it ? I tried this with rapiers I've had (delicately) and a friend's replica rapier and even pushing the scabbard backwards with the left hand, it's quite a chore to draw a blade of that length due to the limitations of your arm length. I'm not a particularly long-limbed person but I'm 6" and I understand people of Elizabethan and Jacobean times were a tad shorter than now. The easiest way seemed to be to take the rapier off whatever suspension it was on and draw it that way.

Anyone have any insights into this ?

Daniel

Taking it off really isn't neccesary if the hanger is period correct. Most of them hang pretty low on the leg. This gives quite a bit more drawing room. Regardless of the period, if you examine period artwork you'll see that the sword is never sinched tightly up to the waist.

As Patrick said, drawing a long rapier isn't that big of a deal when worn correctly. Study period artwork--especially portraits--to see how it is supposed to be worn. There are a lot of examples in our photo albums. I'm not tall, nor are my arms very long, yet have had no problem drawing a 44" long bladed rapier. No big deal.

wow, that is a really nice rapier, the quillons and such look really nice with the twisted look. Although I think my need-to-get rapier from A&A is probobly the milanese.

That is one classy rapier! As you may know, I have the Arms & Armor Italian Three Ring Rapier, on mine you stick the index finger into the bottom loop and you can put your thumb on the top of the blade at the quillon, this increases point control. I have seen the Writhen at the Renaissance Faire, so I know how beautiful it is in real life.
My wife wants the German Rapier somewhere down the road, which is another dressed up rapier. I had started to identify myself as soley a sword man, then one day on a call to Arms & Armor, I found out there was an Italian 3 ring just a day or two from being finished, so I jumped on it! The longer I have it, the more I love it, as a matter of fact I just got the scabbard for it yesterday. Already had the belt, frog and strap for it, just needed the scabbard. So as of today, I was finally able to start practicing the drawing of the rapier.
Your gonna love that rapier more and more!


Congratulations!

Bob

Thanks a lot guys,

When I said take off the suspension I wasn't suggesting that was the authentic or recommended method, just that I found it almost simple compared to the awkwardness of drawing from the hip. Not that I'm a re-enactment person so the occasions I attempted to do so are , to be honest, few and far between.

I am aware of the proper way to wear the rapier and have obtained a lot of useful insight via the National Portrait Gallery here which is great for showing both the swords and the contemporary style of wear and National Trust places over here which often have good portait examples, and other galleries in France and Holland when I had the chance on business trips and friends who work for Shakespearean theatre, so that's not the issue . Probably it's my poor technique and lack of practice. But I still find it rather awkward. But if you guys don't, it is as i suspected down to me.

By the way Nathan on your recent Wallace Collection trip did you see the really, really long rapier ? Haven't been for a few months and they occasionally move things around but usually it's in the first case on the right in the first room at the far end of that case, in the case opposite to the cup-hilt with no knuckle bow that Oakshott descibed as an oversized fencing foil (if that makes sense !) . Always wondered what the fencing strategy was behind that one. I mean there's reach and then there's just downright unwieldy.

Daniel

All of the A&A rapiers are very nice, and each has a unique personality all its own.

Bob;

The Dresden, Cavalier rapiers and the Town Guard sword are all very sword like in blade.

I'm very attracted to the Cavalier myself: Wonder how it would work for a left hander ? A mirror image left hand custom version might be interesting! I think this is one of those rapiers that has to be used with the hand it's designed for, usually the right as you guys are in the majority :p

You are one lucky person Gordon......great choice in rapier!!!!


Helen

Ah, the Writhen is one of my favorite rapiers! I used to not really care for it until I got to see one in person and then... wow... it lept onto my "must have" list. It literally glitters in the light. Congrats, Gordon! I think you're spot on about the level of quality of the A&A production rapiers vs. custom: there isn't much of a difference in quality other than that a custom is one of a kind.

Daniel,
As mentioned, the proper suspension makes a difference. How tall are you? Is a 40" blade too long for you?