Strongblade Tempered Dreadwind: Swept hilt Rapier
Nov 13, 2008 17:12:17 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2008 17:12:17 GMT
Strongblade Tempered Dreadwind: Swept hilt Rapier review
First of all some historical background on the rapier. The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish espada ropera, or "dress sword". The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch of 1570. 1570 is also the year in which the Italian swordmaster Signior Rocco Benetti first settled in England advocating the use of the rapier for thrusting as opposed to cutting or slashing when engaged in a duel. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capoferro. The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.
This is an example of an old swept hilt
A rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, mainly in use in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a complex hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding it. While the blade might be broad enough to cut to some degree (but nowhere near that of the wider, slightly heavier swords in use around the Middle Ages), the strength of the rapier is its ability as a thrusting weapon. The blade might be sharpened along its entire length, sharpened only from the centre to the tip (as described by Capoferro), or completely without a cutting edge as called “estoc” by Pallavicini, a rapier master who, in 1670, strongly advocated using a weapon with two cutting edges. A typical example would weigh one kilogram and have a relatively long and slender blade of 2.5 centimetres or less in width, one metre or more in length and ending in a sharply pointed tip. Rapiers often had complex, sweeping hilts designed to protect the hand wielding the sword. Rings extended forward from the crosspiece. Later these rings were covered with metal plates, eventually evolving into the cup hilts of many later rapiers. Many hilts included a knuckle bow extending down from the crosspiece protecting the hilt, which was usually wood wrapped with cord, leather or wire. A fat pommel (often decorated) secured the hilt to the weapon and provided a balance to the long blade.
How to built a swept hilt
Despite the rapier's common usage in the 16th–17th centuries, many films set in these periods (many starring Errol Flynn) have the swordsmen using épées or foils. Actual rapier combat was hardly the lightning thrust and parry depicted. Director Richard Lester attempted to more closely match traditional rapier technique in Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers. [5] Since then, many newer movies, like The Princess Bride and La Reine Margot have used rapiers rather than later weapons, although the fight choreography has not always accurately portrayed historical fencing techniques.
This about the swept hilt rapier. When we look after the name of this blade, “dreadwind”, I only could find that this is the name of an autobot in the serie of Transformers. Dreadwind was a pessimist, constantly taking the "glass is half empty" view (somewhat reminiscent of the Stunticon Dead End). The other Decepticons, bar Darkwing, avoid him, as they know he'll only depress them more. While Dreadwind does inspire dread on the battlefield, this only gets him even further down. Dreadwind transforms into an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet. I don’t know why they choose this name but maybe it’s for his motto: "Fear is the final gift I give those I destroy."
Here-under, you can see an example of a classic from the renaissance, the guard and finger loops, recurve quillion and pommel keep this truly in the style of the swept-hilt rapier
This one of the finest rapiers that Strongblade sells at this price range. It has a breathtaking, oversized swept hilt, chromed in nickel and swirling like a sandstorm around the hand that wields it. The weight and balance is phenomenal and the construction is flawless. It's a work of art and would add a punch-in-the-stomach pizzazz to any costume or wall. The blade is high-carbon steel, which would make the sword perfect for sparring if it weren't for the nickel-plated guard. You probably wouldn't want to use this beauty for sparring anyway: Would you fence with Michelangelo's David?
A wire-braided grip and a mirrored pommel finish off the hilt. The sheath is leather-wrapped wood with steel accents. The sword is full-tanged and hand-crafted.
Specs:
Overall Length : 113 cm
Blade: 93 cm
Weight: 1127 gram
POB : 14 cm after the hilt
DESIGN, FIT and FINISH
The Blade
Tempered, Hand-forged High Carbon Blade which is in my opinion a little bit to heavy. Using this sword gives you every second the idea that the blade will come loose of the hilt.
The tip of the blade isn’t as pointy as you would expect at this kind of swords (but it’s thrust able enough, as you will see in the tests further in this review).
The Hilt
Awe-inspiring oversized swept-hilt with a brilliant design and flawless craftsmanship. The only thing I could say is that the hilt isn’t beautifully aligned on the blade. It gives you the idea that the tang isn’t straight but when I disassembled the sword I saw that this isn’t so.
Also the alignment of the hilt isn’t flawless
The Hilt is a beautiful design. The only negative point is that there’s a little bit of rust inside the hilt (there where the blade runs thru)
Nothing about the design of this hilt (beautiful masterpiece).
The Grip
Wood covered with a fine iron wire.
Pommel
Screwed on the tang. Beautiful nickel-plated. On this photo you can clearly see what I mean with the misallignement.
The scabbard
Leather-Wrapped Custom Wood Sheath With Steel Accents
Overall is this a beautiful, detailed sword, but a little bit to heavy in handling.
TESTING
And ..... FIGHT!
First of all I tested the sword on a 2 liter bottle.
I couldn't believe my eyes....allmost nice clean cuts
Then I tested the blade on a 5 liter bottle.
This was over my expectations because the sword doesn’t feel at all that he can cut and thrust any kind of bottle, and as you can see this are nice clean cuts (the crackling you see on the edge is the paper). But after this tests, the blade shifted in the guard (see picture here under)
Playing musketeer... 1 minute of pleasure...
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5 (the hilt isn't right alligned in my eyes)
Handling: 3/5 (tip-heavy but functional)
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
CONCLUSION
A very well done, truly beautiful sword from Strongblade. It was love at first sight but I wasn’t certain if I would like this kind of swords.
I would recommend this sword for any collection as a display sword because it’s a beautiful masterpiece.
It’s a little bit tip-heavy, but handling is enjoyable, and it’s also a beautiful sword.
WHERE TO BUY
Strongblade swords are only available from the Manufacturer – and you can pick up the Rapier for US$169 + shipping.
5% DISCOUNT FOR ALL SBG VISITORS!
First of all some historical background on the rapier. The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish espada ropera, or "dress sword". The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch of 1570. 1570 is also the year in which the Italian swordmaster Signior Rocco Benetti first settled in England advocating the use of the rapier for thrusting as opposed to cutting or slashing when engaged in a duel. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capoferro. The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.
This is an example of an old swept hilt
A rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, mainly in use in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a complex hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding it. While the blade might be broad enough to cut to some degree (but nowhere near that of the wider, slightly heavier swords in use around the Middle Ages), the strength of the rapier is its ability as a thrusting weapon. The blade might be sharpened along its entire length, sharpened only from the centre to the tip (as described by Capoferro), or completely without a cutting edge as called “estoc” by Pallavicini, a rapier master who, in 1670, strongly advocated using a weapon with two cutting edges. A typical example would weigh one kilogram and have a relatively long and slender blade of 2.5 centimetres or less in width, one metre or more in length and ending in a sharply pointed tip. Rapiers often had complex, sweeping hilts designed to protect the hand wielding the sword. Rings extended forward from the crosspiece. Later these rings were covered with metal plates, eventually evolving into the cup hilts of many later rapiers. Many hilts included a knuckle bow extending down from the crosspiece protecting the hilt, which was usually wood wrapped with cord, leather or wire. A fat pommel (often decorated) secured the hilt to the weapon and provided a balance to the long blade.
How to built a swept hilt
Despite the rapier's common usage in the 16th–17th centuries, many films set in these periods (many starring Errol Flynn) have the swordsmen using épées or foils. Actual rapier combat was hardly the lightning thrust and parry depicted. Director Richard Lester attempted to more closely match traditional rapier technique in Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers. [5] Since then, many newer movies, like The Princess Bride and La Reine Margot have used rapiers rather than later weapons, although the fight choreography has not always accurately portrayed historical fencing techniques.
This about the swept hilt rapier. When we look after the name of this blade, “dreadwind”, I only could find that this is the name of an autobot in the serie of Transformers. Dreadwind was a pessimist, constantly taking the "glass is half empty" view (somewhat reminiscent of the Stunticon Dead End). The other Decepticons, bar Darkwing, avoid him, as they know he'll only depress them more. While Dreadwind does inspire dread on the battlefield, this only gets him even further down. Dreadwind transforms into an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet. I don’t know why they choose this name but maybe it’s for his motto: "Fear is the final gift I give those I destroy."
Here-under, you can see an example of a classic from the renaissance, the guard and finger loops, recurve quillion and pommel keep this truly in the style of the swept-hilt rapier
Strongblade tempered dreadwind : swept hilt rapier
Review by Serge Winckelmans, BELGIUM
Review by Serge Winckelmans, BELGIUM
This one of the finest rapiers that Strongblade sells at this price range. It has a breathtaking, oversized swept hilt, chromed in nickel and swirling like a sandstorm around the hand that wields it. The weight and balance is phenomenal and the construction is flawless. It's a work of art and would add a punch-in-the-stomach pizzazz to any costume or wall. The blade is high-carbon steel, which would make the sword perfect for sparring if it weren't for the nickel-plated guard. You probably wouldn't want to use this beauty for sparring anyway: Would you fence with Michelangelo's David?
A wire-braided grip and a mirrored pommel finish off the hilt. The sheath is leather-wrapped wood with steel accents. The sword is full-tanged and hand-crafted.
Specs:
Overall Length : 113 cm
Blade: 93 cm
Weight: 1127 gram
POB : 14 cm after the hilt
DESIGN, FIT and FINISH
The Blade
Tempered, Hand-forged High Carbon Blade which is in my opinion a little bit to heavy. Using this sword gives you every second the idea that the blade will come loose of the hilt.
The tip of the blade isn’t as pointy as you would expect at this kind of swords (but it’s thrust able enough, as you will see in the tests further in this review).
The Hilt
Awe-inspiring oversized swept-hilt with a brilliant design and flawless craftsmanship. The only thing I could say is that the hilt isn’t beautifully aligned on the blade. It gives you the idea that the tang isn’t straight but when I disassembled the sword I saw that this isn’t so.
Also the alignment of the hilt isn’t flawless
The Hilt is a beautiful design. The only negative point is that there’s a little bit of rust inside the hilt (there where the blade runs thru)
Nothing about the design of this hilt (beautiful masterpiece).
The Grip
Wood covered with a fine iron wire.
Pommel
Screwed on the tang. Beautiful nickel-plated. On this photo you can clearly see what I mean with the misallignement.
The scabbard
Leather-Wrapped Custom Wood Sheath With Steel Accents
Overall is this a beautiful, detailed sword, but a little bit to heavy in handling.
TESTING
And ..... FIGHT!
First of all I tested the sword on a 2 liter bottle.
I couldn't believe my eyes....allmost nice clean cuts
Then I tested the blade on a 5 liter bottle.
This was over my expectations because the sword doesn’t feel at all that he can cut and thrust any kind of bottle, and as you can see this are nice clean cuts (the crackling you see on the edge is the paper). But after this tests, the blade shifted in the guard (see picture here under)
Playing musketeer... 1 minute of pleasure...
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5 (the hilt isn't right alligned in my eyes)
Handling: 3/5 (tip-heavy but functional)
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
CONCLUSION
A very well done, truly beautiful sword from Strongblade. It was love at first sight but I wasn’t certain if I would like this kind of swords.
I would recommend this sword for any collection as a display sword because it’s a beautiful masterpiece.
It’s a little bit tip-heavy, but handling is enjoyable, and it’s also a beautiful sword.
WHERE TO BUY
Strongblade swords are only available from the Manufacturer – and you can pick up the Rapier for US$169 + shipping.
5% DISCOUNT FOR ALL SBG VISITORS!