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Post by Gman on Nov 6, 2011 16:05:25 GMT
I was going through the Hanwei rapiers, looking for a desent weapon for sparring, under $200. Haven't yet decided on which one yet, but I was wondering about some of the more ornate hilts, and if they were simetrical. Would they work for a left hander? Are there any rapiers in their collection to be avoided for a lefty?
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Post by Bogus on Nov 6, 2011 16:18:01 GMT
I've heard there are a small number of left-handed variants floating around, but haven't seen any on the major sites so they may be discontinued or only offered through the overpriced factory site. The Taza, being a cup hilt, should be perfectly symmetrical. The Torino that I have is not symmetrical, but there's about as much stuff on each side...I'm a lefty and haven't had any problem maneuvering it, but haven't tried wearing it and there's a little ring on the right side that might cause some problems with that. IMO rapier dexterity isn't that big a deal, at least compared to stuff like golf clubs. Cutlasses and various flavors of basket-hilt sword are quite a different cup of soup, though it's usually pretty easy to tell from the picture if there's a giant chunk of metal where one's wrist should be. edit: just snapped a photo of rapier in hand, as you can see there's still plenty of room and nothing really getting in the way. Obviously the right dexterity would be desirable, but not really gaining much. Attachments:
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Post by Gman on Nov 6, 2011 16:41:32 GMT
Yea OK, I've noticed on the baskethilt stuff it just won't fit in the right left hand at all. I'm not so much concerned with actual coverage or look being simetrical, just whether or not it can be held in the left hand. I've noticed a number of the fancier hilts are not simetrical in design, and that's fine. Just want to make sure I don't buy something and then it can't be held in the left hand.
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jhart06
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Slowly coming back from the depths...
Posts: 3,292
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Post by jhart06 on Nov 6, 2011 16:59:39 GMT
Yeah, there were a few lefty types a while ago but they do seemed to have vanished.
I'd get one that looks good from Kult of Athena.. They seem pretty reasonable on returns and exchange types, and have a good customer service rep.
Sounds like a lot of this decision outside of Cup Hilts will be made by you actually wrapping your hand around it, sadly, so best of luck!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2011 18:44:45 GMT
Being a lefty, I do wonder if there exist original rapier for left handed use. Are lefties in that period compelled to use the rapier with their right hand, or is it acceptable to hold the rapier with their left hand?
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Post by Gman on Nov 6, 2011 19:23:12 GMT
That's kind of what I wondered about. I study JSA, and it's all right handed. So if you're a lefty, you are forced to learn right handed. I guess I just assumed Euro swordsmanship didn't care, or have a specific fighting/training style and you could do what was most comfortable.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Nov 7, 2011 7:57:58 GMT
If you can't find a left-handed rapier, try a symmetrical one that can be used by either hand, like a Pappenheimer or a ring hilt. You can see some of these over at www.darkwoodarmory.com - more expensive than a Hanwei, but still a really good value. |
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ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
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Post by ecovolo on Nov 9, 2011 23:55:34 GMT
Good question. Being a lefty, I ran up against this same dilemna. Left-handed fencers existed, though: Capo Ferro's 1610 manual instructed his students regarding what to do if you came up against one.  ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridolfo_Capo_Ferro) (Also, www.thearma.org/Manuals/NewManua ... 001123.jpg) As for historical precedents that left-handed rapiers existed? At the moment, I have none. Darksword does make good modern neutral-grip and left-handed rapiers, though. I have one, and I can't complain. --Edward |
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