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Post by jarmory19 on Jan 18, 2011 22:24:40 GMT
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Post by Elheru Aran on Jan 18, 2011 23:38:54 GMT
Not having handled either of these I will just throw this out--
Hanwei: Decent replicas but iffy on historical accuracy. Known to be weak on sharpening, but that's not a big concern with rapiers unless you want something cut-and-thrust-ish. One of the more economical options out there, though.
Windlass: Also decent, better historical accuracy, but more $$$ for sure.
So it breaks down like this-- if you want historical accuracy go with Windlass, if you want to go cheap go with Hanwei... for what it's worth the Windlass will probably handle a little better though, Hanweis tend to be weak on that front as far as I know.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 18, 2011 23:51:28 GMT
I would have more faith both in accuracy and handling of Hanwei over Windlass. Guys at Hanwei have a better idea of what makes a good functional sword I would say. I never owned a rapier but I owned several Hanwei and Windlass swords.
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Post by Bogus on Jan 19, 2011 4:59:48 GMT
I have a Hanwei Torino (basically the same blade with different furniture) and it's a pretty lively rapier. The blade is definitely not sharp at all, but like Elheru said that's not a big deal with a rapier as long as it's pointy. A big plus for Hanwei IMO is that you can swap out the blade for a replacement if you damage it, or a practice blade if you want to try fencing with it. KOA sells the blades for around $40. Don't expect to be able to do much other customization on it though, as I've found out the hard way some of their rapiers' fittings don't play well with others.
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Post by Cold Napalm on Jan 19, 2011 7:29:36 GMT
None of the hanwei rapier blades are accurate and neither are a majority of the windlass ones. The biggest issues with the windlass rapiers that their HT can be bad at times and I have seen half the windlass complex hilts have something broken. The hanwei has the hollow plastic core for all but 2 models. Personally for the cheap rapier, I like hanwei bone handle one.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jan 19, 2011 11:31:24 GMT
The bone hilt Hanwei is nice furniture. Most of the Hanwei blades are foil light, causing these weapons to "feel" all wrong.
The Hanwei Spanish Taza is a very decent weapon.
In your price range, the Windlass Musketeer is a real period beastie. It's a "hollywood" styled sword not at all french: but it is a real enough German cup hilt. ( Alas, as CN says, I wouldn't really trust it to a serious cutting exercise.)
The Windlass Pilsen is a relatively new piece. It's actually a pretty nice light civilian sword, with a lively blade. Had one. Really not a good fit with the $500 rapiers in the barn though.
If you want a cup hilt at a liveable price, I'd take the Taza. Can't get a decent Pappenheim at this price break.
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Post by adtharp on Jan 19, 2011 12:55:26 GMT
I second the Taza, beautiful piece - decent on historical accuracy....not great, but decent....
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Post by Reflingar on Jan 19, 2011 14:55:50 GMT
I "third" (?) the Taza!
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Post by jarmory19 on Jan 19, 2011 16:26:52 GMT
Okay, so let's bump up the price range a little to say......$500... what are my options then? I'm open to pretty much all styles from Pappenheimer to swept and cup. I don't think I want a low quality sword.
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Post by LittleJP on Jan 19, 2011 18:03:06 GMT
You could try checking out the folks at darkwood armoury.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 19, 2011 18:20:49 GMT
Between the two above I'd get the Windlass. Both will have their issues, as mentioned... but the Hanwei has that awful hollow plastic grip... and since both have screw on pommels, the shape of the pommel on the hanwei is going to be 'off center' at some point... while with the windlass it wont matter because of its symetrical pommel shape.
At 500 you might look into Darkwood armoury and Armour Class... and your close to Del Tin and not far off my favorite choise... Arms and Armor.
Also, you might consider the Cold Steel Rapier... no one I know has one, but it looks like it has some poetntial to me.
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Post by Reflingar on Jan 19, 2011 21:27:14 GMT
At 500$, it's almost another world...Armour Class seems like a good suggestion, given the good feedback they get from many happy owners...same thing for Darkwood, very good reviews... If it was me, I would go for Del Tin and probably this one: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DT5160&name=Del+Tin+Early+Spanish+Rapier since most of their rapiers are more around the 600$...(but, then, is it "really" a rapier -in the more commonly accepted sense of the term- or a spada da lato? Whatever, I just love the looks of that one.) |
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Post by Bogus on Jan 20, 2011 0:38:32 GMT
I'd recommend Darkwood and Del Tin in the $500 range. Darkwood lets you customize what features you want so you wind up with basically a custom piece, and they specialize in that type of sword which is always nice. Their customer service is quite good too. I don't know a ton about Del Tin but their products look to be pretty top-notch and I can't help but think that an Italian company would know a thing or two about rapiers.
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Post by Cold Napalm on Jan 20, 2011 2:09:11 GMT
For $500, I'm getting a darkwood rapier.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jan 20, 2011 4:17:56 GMT
Unfortunately you're starting this journey about 8 months behind a major price bump in the industry as everyone has raised prices. You might be able to find something you like in the trade pages then shop ebay in hopes of snagging that particular sword. Otherwise, there is a void between $300 and $750 dollar rapiers.
Darkwood will get you an excellent recreational/sport weapon with a blank blade. If you find a blade they will mount it for you, probably busting the $500 barrier. Both my Darkwoods cost over $600, with the customizations I asked for. Well worth the price. The Pappenheim is divine.
The Arms and Armor rapiers are top flight, live steel weapons; but a scabbard is a buy up.
It's a black hole. You'll get drug to the dark side. ( Take a look at Vlad Cervenka's stuff... smack, smack, drooooool. )
Wish I knew more about the Cold Steel. It's a good sounding package. The tabular data on the sword is interesting.
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Post by jarmory19 on Sept 18, 2011 14:14:43 GMT
Ok after long months and a Katana purchase I'm now back in the market for a rapier. I think I've decided to go with neither of the two and go with an antiqued Taza.... As it's my first one I think I'd rather spend a little less incase it's not the right type of sword for me. Thanks for all the input..If anyone has anything to add about the Taza it would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by jarmory19 on Sept 18, 2011 15:03:06 GMT
I'm also considering the Torino
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Post by Bogus on Sept 20, 2011 3:39:27 GMT
They're both good choices, I'd say it's a matter of style--I happen to prefer swept-hilt designs. That said I would agree with a couple of previous posters that the Torino, and probably the Taza too to some extent are overly quick and light (at the expense of blade presence) and not very historically accurate. But, there's not a lot of choice at this price point and Hanwei has an overall more reliable rapier line than its competitors so I'd definitely be looking at their product. Eh, we just need to convince A&A to run about a 90% discount on their Milanese, then everyone will be happy. :lol: |
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Post by John P on Sept 20, 2011 4:08:01 GMT
are you planning on using this as a costume piece, a wall hanger or as a martial arts tool?
for the first two buy what you like the looks of best. If you want a sparing sword it is hard to beat Darkwood. If you want all 3 the Hanwei rapiers are a good option but there sparing blades have a limited life span. If you are looking to do some back yard stabbing (?) A&A makes probably the best swords for that sort of thing but then again the Hanwei rapiers can do that to until you have to replace the blade.
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Post by jarmory19 on Sept 21, 2011 22:21:13 GMT
Well I'd like to buy something that is a little heavier and has more "presence". By just looking at the Darkwood's they seem to be more solid and heavily constructed. Which is definitely a plus and turns me away from the hanwei's. At the moment I'm not a practitioner but I'd like to be in the near future. The only thing about it is I would like to be able to put a "real" blade on it as well. By "real"I mean pointed/sharp. Not edge sharp but not bated. Does anyone know if they sell or have any blades like that. I didn't see any when I was looking. But they sure do have some beautifully functional pieces it seems. And that's what I'm looking for. Thanks.
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