Entry-level rapier suggestions?

Here's a good selection via Kult of Athena, one of the best sword sellers currently operating; they almost always have the lowest price and, if not, they'll lower the price to match or beat the competition (look under their price match). They also have excellent customer service and, while I've never bought from them yet, many other members have attested to the security of their packaging and the swiftness of their shipping. Anyways, onto the swords!

www.kultofathena.com/swords-renaissance.asp

I'm willing to spend a little bit if the sword is worth it, but $400 is kind of pushing it right now (I have some other big-boy toys on my wishlist...). The Darkwood Economy rapier looks pretty nice, but it sounds like I'd be stuck with a practice blade and I do want something that's at least capable of poking water bottles etc. And to be totally honest, a lot of midrange rapier hilt patterns rub me a little bit the wrong way--just enough that I'm not sure I would want to spend big money on one. When I've got more dosh to sling around I might see about getting a custom job, would be an interesting experience.

Everyone seems to really like KOA so I've been using them as a reference for what I might expect to spend. Their $200 Windlass Pilsen and 17th Century rapiers both look very nice, and well within my price range, but from what I've read Windlass ditches designs before there's any consensus on whether it's a good one so I'd kind of want to hear from an owner before buying, if there are any on the forums here. Apparently KOA still carries the Torino, and at the price listed in the year-old review no less, but they seem to be saying it ships with the practice blade which is not standard according to Hanwei's website. I guess if I choose that one I'd have to email them and find out what the deal is. Supposedly there are/were some quality issues with Hanwei's less expensive, non-Japanese swords--anbody know if that is still the case?

I feel your pain Bogus. :cry:

In my 30 sword collection at the moment there are no rapiers... and its not only my favorite style of sword, but the only one with which I have any real training.

How lame is that?

Its because its impossible to find a good sharp bladed rapier anywhere near the 300 range. All the ones I'm looking at that I like are 800-1000 bucks.

I'm curious about a company called 'Armour Class'... but I'm getting some mixed reports and I don't like that they use the screw on pommels, at least I'm pretty sure they do.

At the price range your looking at, the only one I can recommend as a decent compromise rapier is this: www.wiwingtiswordsupply.com/SH1024.html

I had that sword, and I just sold it and its companion dagger for 150... which would have been an awesome deal for you... but Wiwingti has the lowest price on the net for that sword at 125. The blade is pointy, its not really sharp but can be sharpened with a bit of care. Its still got a screw on pommel, but at least the pommel is a uniform shape so it will never look out of alignment when you tighten it.

The MAIN reason I recommend this one tho is the grip. Its wooden and shaped well to the tang... where all the other Hanwei rapiers are hollow and plastic... and that's wrong on so many levels.

So, for the money, which from Wiwingti is super cheap, is a good option if you want a rapier in your collection and can't spend metric $empriniloads of money.

You right, it might be... that's one of the only ones I have not had my hands on. If anyone here has had one, please give us your thoughts.

Speaking of Bone Handled Rapiers... I forgot DSA has one as well, at around 300 bucks. I've not handled it nor do I know anyone else that has tho, so I can't speak to it.

The DSA one has a plastic handle...well resin handle...so plastic.

The way Eyal described how they do the handle, I have no doubt that it's sturdy...but it's still plastic and I honestly can't get past that part. It's also what keeps me from getting hanwei rapiers...although I may get the bone hilt one if it ever goes on a crazy sale.

I re-suggest if your wanting to have a well built, durable rapier to go with Scott Wilson @ Darkwood. Also, don't let the "screw on pommel" thingy (it's really a threaded nut not the whole pommel) of Armour Class discourage you from giving them serious consideration. Their Pappenheimer (blued hilt & copper wired wrapped grip one) is gorgeous. Scott has a long time rep for making quality rapiersused by WMA, SCA and other groups. I used to own a side sword built by him and it was grand (to my much regret had to sell it to pay bills).

good luck on your search

So is it mostly a stylistic/accuracy thing as far as plastic vs. solid core handle? I've heard a number of people complain about that...if it's just historical purism I don't care all that much, but if it not as sturdy or otherwise presents performance problems I do care very much about that.

I'm kind of leaning toward either the Hanwei or Windlass. Anybody know if Windlass offers replacement blades, or more importantly if such a thing would be available once they discontinue that model? That would be a major plus for the Hanwei I think.

No, with the Hanwei Rapiers its not just a style issue... the problem with their plastic grips is that they are hollow... so there is less support for the tang of the sword in the grip and more risk of them breaking. Thats why I like the Wood Handled Swpet Hilt one... the grip is solid wood and makes contact with the tang from start to finish... I feel its much better.

Windlass dosn't offer replacement blades like Hanwei does... thats one of the awesome things about hanwei. Bust it, get a new blade but you don't need a new hilt.