[Radovan Geist]

Some time ago I´ve made a try on smallswords / rapiers. Here are first two projects - not perfect, but as they´are used mainly for fencing training & stage combat, they could do.

The first one is a dish-hilt rapier. It is inspired by the North German or Flemish piece sold on Hermann Historica some time ago. The "dish" is made of mild steel sheet, with some file-work. The twisted-wire grip was pain - I had to re-do it three times, as it was either too lose, or thin, with wooden core visible under the wire. I´m not entirely happy with the result, and if I figure out how to make it properly, it will definitely be re-gripped.

Obviously, the blade is not proper - I have used a foil blade, as the sword s being used for fencing training.

[Radovan Geist]

...and here is the second one - a rapier of a very simple design, inspired by pieces used in the second half of the 16th century (again, as a concrete inspiration I took a piece from Hermann Historica (Lot Nr. 2005) - Italian smallsword, circa 1560).
I have used a blade of diamond cross-section that I had lying around for some time, but it will be changed for a more proper one of hexagonal cross-section. I´m also wondering about the pommel - the original that I took as an inspiration had an onion-shaped one. Is the one I´ve used completely out-of-place?
Thanks for any comments / advices.

[Bryan Heff]

Both are very nice. I think the wire wrap looks really good, I have been toying with the idea of doing a wire wrap on some of my projects. I also like the wooden handle shape on the second one. Very cool.

Did you make any of the parts on these swords or was it more of piecing together parts and blades you already had? Just curious.

[Radovan Geist]

thanks for kind words. I did everything except the blades. As I currently don´t have the access to a forge, hilt parts were cut & shaped from pieces of mild steel by an angle grinder and files, cold-bent, then riveted, welded (that was a tricky part, I definitely need more practice with welding), then cleaned again with files and sand paper.
Handles and pommels were turned on a lathe (and then one of the handles was then shaped on my small belt grinder) and then cleaned with sand paper.
Unfortunately I did not measure how much time it all took, as I was doing it alongside other projects (some knives, in different post) and had to re-do some parts couple of times.
Anyhow, my next rapier project will be the crab-hilt and this time I´m planning to be more systematic (esp taking pictures during the work process).

[Bryan Heff]

Wow! Its even more impressive that you made all the parts. Lots of detail going on there. It must have taken a considerable amount of time and it shows, the work is excellent.

[Mark Moore]

I like them both, but I love the cup hilt most. That's an incredible amount of handwork on your part, sir. I commend you. I'd be proud to wield either one. Something about that cup hilt just screams...Zorro!............ ......Fantastic. .....McM

[Mark Moore]

Sorry........I meant to say 'dish hilt'. It still looks very 'Zorro-ish' to me......but then again, rapiers are not my forte'. Once again...beautiful. .........McM

[Radovan Geist]