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Post by Grubnessul on May 9, 2013 15:23:05 GMT
Hi all, I've been training in Bruchius' style for a few months and started looking for a rapier of my own. Now I know I should be a good boy and buy a Darkwood rapier, but my quest across the interwebs found several much prettier swords, notably Cervenka's work. The downside is that even with a Darkwood, I won't forget these weapons and I will probably end up buying one anyway. :oops: Anyway, my question is: Does anyone here knows who made this flamberge rapier? The link I found it liked it to the old version of this forum (that's how I found this place anyway  ). It looks like Cervenka's work (both the pommel & grip and the floor it's on). Also, would it be thin/whippy enough to use for unarmoured sparring? Or is a flamberge necessarily to thick for that?  |
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Post by aussie-rabbit on May 10, 2013 9:26:42 GMT
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Post by Neil G. on May 10, 2013 10:50:28 GMT
That particular model was offered a number of years ago by MRL. I don't know Windlass Steelcrafts manufactured it or if it was just something that was carried in the MRL catalogue for a while. Anyway, if's a relatively well mads sword, great flex to it, not too whippy (I am able to cut water bottles with mine easily enough). There are athe few problems though. One, the basket hilt is way heavy, since it is made up of thick bars with no real attempt to thin them out ir reshape them. Two, the tip is VERY pointy, and as such is pretty much useless for sparring.
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Post by Grubnessul on May 10, 2013 12:37:53 GMT
Ah, thanks! It does look quite heavy indeed. As for the point, wouldn't a plastic cover solve it? Or is it even too sharp for that? (Not that it really matters, as I it seems I must be quite lucky to get my grubby hands on one of those ^^). Might even make the choice a bit easier  |
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Post by Dave Kelly on May 11, 2013 11:43:01 GMT
Hi:
A live blade and ANY sort of one on one training is flat out discouraged from a safety and liability. The relative stiffness of live blades and the point make them too dangerous for any kind of play. Training blades are in fact covered because the turned or flattened steel is still abrasive and weak at the tip; potentially breaking and resulting in another live blade condition that can be lethal in play.
Darkwoods are the best trainers in terms of their refinement and variety of complex guards. Also most expensive. Hanwei is no longer an economy label, but again they have variety and relative availability. I don't know if Lutel and Cervenka accomodate trainers.
Zen Warrior Armory is an option.
Complex Hilted true period rapiers vary in weight and handling, but 2.5 to 3 lbs is usual. Late period and transitional weapons reduced the length of blades to 35 inches and simplified hilts to reduce weight and improve point control resulting in the epee du guerre used into the Napoleonic period.
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Post by Grubnessul on May 11, 2013 12:32:55 GMT
Thanks for the extensive reply. I was under the impression most rapiers (unsharpened) would be usable for sparring. One of my classmates is using a Cervekna blade so those should be safe. So the choice is now between a darkwood, or a Cerveka which is about €100/150 more, but will probably also take some time to be made. EDIT: Lutel offers the option "blunt for fencing." Great, now I have another store to pick from  Although they are about as expensive as Darkwood including import tax from the USA to the Netherlands. So I guess my choice now depends on whether Cervenka is much slower than Lutel's 80 days. |
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Post by Valandur on May 12, 2013 15:07:45 GMT
I don't have any experience with Darksword Armory but I've done business with MRL (link- www.museumreplicas.com/ ) for years. They offer cheap blades for someone wanting a wall hanger, and they offer Windlass blades that are better quality. They also offer some higher quality blades. They have a good selection of rapiers. Worth taking a look at, I've never had a problem with their service even when I've returned items. |
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Post by Grubnessul on May 12, 2013 18:19:58 GMT
They have some nice looking rapiers as well Although the idea of putting a spike on the pommel is slightly... disturbing ( www.museumreplicas.com/p-2127-du ... apier.aspx ). |
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Post by Grubnessul on May 18, 2013 10:08:52 GMT
Also: Arma Bohemia has some very nice ones as well. TOO MUCH CHOICE! Anyone has any experience with those? |
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). It looks like Cervenka's work (both the pommel & grip and the floor it's on). Also, would it be thin/whippy enough to use for unarmoured sparring? Or is a flamberge necessarily to thick for that?
Although they are about as expensive as Darkwood including import tax from the USA to the Netherlands. So I guess my choice now depends on whether Cervenka is much slower than Lutel's 80 days.
