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James Holczer
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 Posted: Sun 04 Feb, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: English Rapier from Dennis Graves |
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I recenty recieved my new fencing rapier from Dennis Graves of No Quarter Arms. I had it designed strictly for later 17th century rapier techniques involving more dui tempi movements. The hilt is fire blued with a copper wire wrap on the grip.
Specs and measurements:
Weight - 1pound, 10 ounces
Overall Length - 48"
Blade Length - 41.5" including ricasso
Blade Width - 3/4" base tapering to 5/16"
Grip Length - 3 5/8"
Guard Width - 8"
Point of Balance - 3.5" from guard
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Attachment: 122.82 KB
Attachment: 121.56 KB
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Sun 04 Feb, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice, James! I really love the lines on that. Out of curiosity, does Dennis make his own blades, or is the blade of another manufacturer?
As an aside, I am also becoming quite fascinated with later rapier techniques... but I'm beginning to realize that there is far more "dui tempi" actions in earlier treatises as well. Hmmm... this may make for a good separate thread, come to think of it...
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Martin Wilkinson
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 4:27 am Post subject: |
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That's absolutely gorgeous.
Congratulations on owning something so beautiful.
"A bullet you see may go anywhere, but steel's, almost bound to go somewhere."
Schola Gladiatoria
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Randall Moffett
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 5:56 am Post subject: |
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I am not a rapier man myself but that is a very nice sword. I like the coloration he accomplished as well. It gives it a very subtle look. I hope it serves you well.
RPM
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James Holczer
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 6:48 am Post subject: |
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| Bill Grandy wrote: | Very nice, James! I really love the lines on that. Out of curiosity, does Dennis make his own blades, or is the blade of another manufacturer?
As an aside, I am also becoming quite fascinated with later rapier techniques... but I'm beginning to realize that there is far more "dui tempi" actions in earlier treatises as well. Hmmm... this may make for a good separate thread, come to think of it... |
Bill,
Dennis doesn't make his own blades. But he will use any blade you happen to have a preference for, or you can leave it up to him. The blade on this particular rapier is a zamarano that has been trimmed down and rebalanced. I was pleasantly surprised when I received this particular blade, most zamarano blades I've seen in the past could be a mixed bag in terms of balance and flexibility but the work Dennis did on this particular blade seems to have alleviated any of the performance problems. I guess the real test will be when I use it this week in class.
I agree, the use of "dui temp" actions in the earlier treatises would make a very interesting thread in the "off topic" forum.
Jim Holczer
Student - Umbs School of Fence / Martinez Academy of Arms
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations, Jim. That is a beautiful sword. I love the contrast between the copper wire and the fire-blued hilt. The form and proportions of the hilt are very pretty, too!
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | This reminds of me a sword I photographed in 2003 for Mario Perez. It was also made by Denny Graves. Check it out. |
This 2003 piece is very pretty, too. I like the embellishments on the side rings, which I suppose might have been visually obscured, had this one also received the fire-bluing of Jim's example.
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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James Holczer
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | This reminds of me a sword I photographed in 2003 for Mario Perez. It was also made by Denny Graves. Check it out. |
Can’t slide anything past you Nathan. That rapier served as the inspiration for mine. I remember seeing those photos awhile back. Couple those gorgeous pictures with the glowing endorsements Dennis gets from my fellow classmates and it was enough for me to make the decision to have a similar piece produced. To my knowledge Dennis has produced very few rapiers of this style as he usually specializes in Spanish cup hilts.
Jim Holczer
Student - Umbs School of Fence / Martinez Academy of Arms
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James Holczer
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| Posted: Mon 05 Feb, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve Grisetti wrote: | | Congratulations, Jim. That is a beautiful sword. I love the contrast between the copper wire and the fire-blued hilt. The form and proportions of the hilt are very pretty, too! |
Thanks Steve, the contrast between the copper wire grip and the blued hilt came out even better than I anticipated. Now only if my limited fencing abilities could match the ascetics of the piece, I would be all set.
Jim Holczer
Student – Umbs School of Fence / Martinez Academy of Arms
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Jim Mearkle
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| Posted: Thu 08 Feb, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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I've noticed that prices aren't usually discussed (except for production pieces), but how do his prices compare to, say Darkwood? I may have found a new favorite cutler!
Jim
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This is a standard topic
