[Simon Van Der Spoel]

Hi guys, I've come across this Rapier for sale in Australia, and I was wondering if anyone has this Rapier or used this Rapier before. I've done a search for it and it didn't come up in the forums, also if this topic isn't meant to be in this forum, by all means Chad or any other Admin move it,

here's the Rapier as it appears on the website, http://www.globalgear.com.au/prod3364.htm

any comments or reviews you can point me to would be greatly appreciated,

cheers guys

Simon

[Simon Van Der Spoel]

just did a google search, and found the sword code is actually not Australia specific, and it is made by Hanwei. in the review section, the review on the Gustav Rapier makes a comment in the conclusion, that the Practical Rapier would be good for a beginner learning to fence...answered my own question...again....doh!
But any other comments specifically on the practical Rapier would be appreciated, just for a better overview of the product I'd like to buy.

Cheers

Simon VDS

[Tim Harris]

Simon,

As an entry-level weapon for getting started with rapier fencing, they are OK.... ish. The hilts are quite decent, but its been the experience of my WMA group that the blades may have a little too much flex and not enough presence, which prevents doing some of the things more historically correct blades can do. They have also shown a tendency to snap unexpectedly, but it seems Hanwei's heat-treating is getting more reliable. I believe reasonably-priced replacement blades are available under guarantee.

[D. Austin]

Hi Simon,

I bought one of these a few years ago and did like it. I'm not a rapier fencer so cannot comment on it's performance but it seems to have a good amount of flex to it. The hilt is well made, with few spots showing evidence of modern welding techniques and the wire binding is sound. My only regret is that it's stainless and thus will never develop a nice patina, nor can I blue or brown the hilt. As a training piece however, it may prove to be practical, as the name suggests.

Darren.

[Darryl Aoki]

I think I may have used the 37" Hanwei when beginning SCA fencing. It's a reasonably light and controllable sword (and well balanced), though people recommended I get a different sword when I got my own rapier (for quality issues, I think - this was a few years back). The one thing I didn't like about it was the wire-wrapped hilt, though this is a matter of taste. Another thing that proves a little awkward is the fact that the basket hilt is open enough near the hilt for a sword blade (even with an arrow blunt on the end) to slip through.

All things considered, it's not a bad sword to start with; my dislikes are, as I said, a matter of personal preference.