[Bill Grandy]

I picked up this little puppy from Geoff Freeman at the SFI classifieds for an amazing price. I had already been saving up for an A&A Italian rapier, but for the deal I got from Geoff, it was more than worth making a change in choice. Some stats:

Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz
Blade length: appr 38 1/4", plus a 2" ricasso
Overall length: 46"
POB: appr. 5 1/4" from quillon

Overall impressions: When I first picked this up out of the box, I wasn't sure how I felt about the balance. It was a little further forward than what I'm used to, although I've handled a couple originals, and one that I've gotten to hold had this sort of feel. But I've been playing with this for a week now, and I absolutely love it. Strangely, despite the slightly forward balance, this seems to help the tip just fall into place when I do a lunge. I can't quite describe why, but it just has an "alive" feel to it once I started doing some drills. The sword is blunt, as it apparently was originally was purchased with stage combat in mind. That was perfect, since I wanted it as a user sword. I at first thought that maybe the fact that it was ordered with stage in mind had to do with the tip heaviness, but now I actually don't think so since. I also had always had a preconception that forward weighted rapiers were obviously geared towards cutting, but this Bavarian is definately not such a cutter. My Darkwood rapier balances much closer to the hilt, and is much more maneuverable in the cut than this one is, but I find that I can control my thrusts better with the Bavarian.

It just goes to show that there's more to how a sword feels than just the balance.

[Chris Holzman]

Hey Bill, How do you think it compares to my S13? A bit more true rapierish? (I seem to remember you got to play with it a bit before it was sold to me....)


I'm still loving the S13, immensely, and will have a scabbard done soon... its all done, except for lacquering. (i dont know squat about leatherworking, and im not going to try now - too busy, so black lacquer it is)

I just wish the S13 had about 4 more inches of blade....

[Bill Grandy]

I must say I am more impressed with the A&A than I was with the ArmArt. Though I have to caveat that and say that I'm 6' 2", so the ArmArt that you have was more like a parrying dagger to me. In fact, the A&A is just slightly short for me, but close enough.

The ArmArt was by no means a bad sword, but from what I recall, it was a bit heft for a sword as short as it is. But I only got to play with it once, so it's a bit hard for me to recall. I also think the A&A has it beat in terms of even finish, but that's one of A&A's hallmarks, so it doesn't surprise me one bit.

[Ross McCarthy]

A & A certainly turn out some beautiful work.

[Jason Elrod]

Hey I know both of those Rapiers. Sorry no real input here. Just an off topic question for Bill; Where the hell are the A&A GBS pics?

[Chris Holzman]

[Jason Elrod]

I would have never guessed that the Bavarian is lighter than the S13. The S13 definately felt more agile of the 2. Of course it probably was. I believe the POB is closer on the S13 than the Bavarian. Still the weight of the ArmArt suprises me.

[Bill Grandy]

[Chris Holzman]

[Jason Elrod]

It surprises me too... i can't feature the armart being more agile - to me it feels *slow* i know its not that slow, but it feels it.

Well Chris, it could be false memories planted by the government or maybe the computer matrix

It has been what, close to a year , since I've handled the S13. If I had the two rapiers side by side then I might have come to a different conclusion. Who knows?? Both rapiers are lovely pieces and do what they were designed to do very well . . . thrust.

[Chris Holzman]