This rapier is heavily inspired by an original kept within the Royal Armouries. It has a blade of well-tempered high carbon steel. Christus Imperat (Christ Commands) is etched into the fuller on both sides. The complex and vibrantly spiralled guard of this rapier is made of metal with an antiqued steel finish.
The pommel is likewise crafted in metal with an antiqued finish and the grip is elaborately wrapped in steel wire and surmounted by turks heads knots of twisted steel braid. The scabbard is of black leather and its chape and throat fittings are of metal with an antiqued steel finish.
The rapier is commonly portrayed as a lightning fast sword and while it is certainly not a heavy or remotely cumbersome weapon, the notion that it is used in dizzyingly fast and deft flourishes is an exaggeration. Such techniques are directly inspired instead by the shorter smallsword and sport fencing. Due to its relatively similar form these properties have been assumed upon the rapier in many movies and video games.
Historically the rapier is used not as a wildly moving blade with elaborate flourishes and manic blade-to-blade clashing with the foe – it is instead a calculated thrusting weapon. Its long blade length keeps the foe at bay and when an opening through his defense appears a swordsman with a rapier can strike at a significant distance with his sword held outwards matched with a forward step. The thin blade easily pierces an unarmored opponent and a mere few inches of penetration to the torso are likely to cause a serious wound, or a great amount of internal bleeding at the least.
James Whitworth –
Fashionable and Functional I’ll be perfectly honest, I purchased this rapier solely for its looks. I mainly got it because I wanted something more ornate then the Windlass Steelcraft Munich sword . However, I was delighted to find out that this blade is also far more functional than I anticipated. The blade is long and thin, giving it a great point of balance. Personally, I have many other one handed straight bladed swords but this one has the best tip control of the lot. Now that’s not to say it’s not without its flaws. As to be expected with a Windlass Steelcraft blade of this length it’s rather whippy. Even so, it is still stiff enough to pierce. Although it may not be the greatest it’s certainly not the worst.
It’s also worth noting that the aged finish is far more prominent then in the pictures here. Personally I’m a big fan of the shiny new look. So with just a little bit of polishing I was able to achieve the desired effect.
hengishammer –
buy for looks This thing looks beautiful. Its a great display piece but wobble wobble wobble. Blade is whippy.
Daniel –
Looks better than it feels in the hand I have many issues with this sword that make not want to recommend it.
The blade, as have been mentioned before, is too flexible; it drops noticeably when held horizontally on its flat. And even when thrusting it flops around.
The grip also has a couple of issues: the wire is sharp and not filed down so it digs in the skin rather uncomfortably. And the crossguard has a diamond cross-section with sharp edges that make fingering the guard almost painful.
Besides those issues the sword is good, construction is solid, balance and weight are fine and it looks beautiful.
Dave K. –
Worth every penny I reviewed this in SBG and never bothered to repeat myself anywhere. The SBG review is gone, so a few comments are pertinent. This is a full blooded wonderfully executed rapier. So many products of the last 8-10 years have been transitional this or that or Hanwei’s line of dwarf rapiers. (Still have my VASA.)
This is a big sword. All the parts fit well. Proportions are excellent. Handling is excellent for it’s size.
Complaints about wobble in the blade are overstated. I’ve owned 700.00 Del Tin that are far worse. I do agree that the blade should have a stiffer profile. They don’t like to do it, because it means more expensive stock and more grinding, but the blade should be stiff enough to pile drive a baldric and buff coat or a human skull.
As for the grip hurting one’s hands; that’s what gauntlets were made for. Not perfect, but close enough for me.
Joel S –
Decent sword, very flexible and rattles a bit. The sharpening job that KoA gave it pretty much butchered it. One side is significantly wider than the other. Sad.
Jon –
Beautiful looking sword (which is probably why you’re curious) If you sharpen it appropriately, you will be able to pierce soft targets quite well. As reported in previous reviews, there is some whippiness to the blade, but it is stiff enough to serve its purpose. If you are looking for a sword to be handled like a rapier, the function may not follow the form. It is rather heavy and unwieldy for a rapier. The grip is not comfortable. and if you plan on using it for any period of time I would recommend gloves. If you are not a studying the rapier, and want a sword that is pleasing to the eye and a servicable backyard cutter this could be your sword.