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Post by Celticboy on Jan 14, 2014 10:37:13 GMT
Hey everyone. I have always been a sword enthusiast and am now starting to shop for real blades. I currently have two stainless steel wall hangers that I use for form practice. One rapier and one Scottish claymore. I'm looking for a good starter rapier and a main gauche to use in reenactments. I'm on a bit of a budget so anything economy priced would be nice. If anyone can offer some useful info I would be most appreciated. I look forward to starting my collection
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 14, 2014 11:54:16 GMT
Welcome to SBG!
Sorry, I have little experience with Euro swords, but I keep hearing that the Hanwei/Tinker line is great for the money. Kult of Athena is a fantastic site to order from.
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 14, 2014 12:59:51 GMT
Welcome to the forum. Some folks who buy rapiers will chime in soon.
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Post by StevenJ on Jan 14, 2014 13:16:19 GMT
Your three main choices if you live in the US for Rapiers are: www.zenwarriorarmory.com/darkwoodarmory.com/or www.alcheminc.com/longblades.htmlZen Warrior is the least expensive. Most of their rapiers, unless you specify, come with rod tangs. They are okay, where they really shine is their customer service. If you got a problem, they fix it. Their prices are reasonable too. Darkwood is top dollar way to go but is beyond many a man's reach. Though for $300 their economy line Rapiers are good, I own one. Their customer service is as good as Zen also if not better. Weapon turn around times are good too, same for Zen Warrior. Alchem, I've seen a few but never owned. They often fail on their delivery times and customer service is iffy but the end products are good from what I've seen. There are other companies like Hanwei but they don't make as many practice rapiers as they used to.
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Post by Celticboy on Jan 14, 2014 16:56:44 GMT
Thanks for the info StevenJ. If I may ask, me being new to all this, what is are the different style tangs? The one I have now has threads like a bolt where the pommel screws onto holding the handle and guard all together.
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Post by StevenJ on Jan 14, 2014 23:43:18 GMT
Almost all practice rapiers are threaded. The only two companies that I know of that makes non threaded practice rapiers are Del TIn which are peened and Fabri Armorum which are welded. Some of Fabri's rapiers may be useable, most seem to be too heavy and stiff like BKS Rapiers. Del Tin's have the right flex but are often more expensive than Darkwood.
Okay so rod tangs are threaded. What a rod tang is, it is a threaded tang that is is completely rod shaped and cut one piece from the blade. Where the tang junction ends it goes to a straight rod. Rectangular tangs vary. Darkwood and Hanwei tangs are rectangular like Windlass or Darksword but come to a cut down threaded section for the pommel to screw on. Alchem rod tangs are screwed on but they screw through the tang and pommel with a set screw vertically into the pommel then into the tang. I don't know about Zen Warrior rectangular tangs as I've only owned their rod tangs. I sold bothmy rod tang Zens because every time they got loose the hilts would spin around on the blade. They are okay rapiers, don't get me wrong. It's just that, even though they can cost an arm and a leg sometimes, Darkwoods are solid and I'd rather save my money for those.
I own three Darkwoods, two rapiers and a Hutton saber blade. All of them are for rapier type combat. Hanwei rapiers are built similar to Darkwoods like I said with a rectangular tang with a threaded section where the pommel screws in vertically. Hanwei has quality control issues. Usually you'll get one that is well forged but there have been some Hanweis out there with pretty shoddy heat treat. There's a video from a HEMA group out in Arizona where one guy got a new Hanwei rapier and the blade snapped at point of impact due to improper temper. Most Hanweis don't have that problem but they do have QC issues and after the factory fire they are harder to get and more expensive now. Not Darkwood expensive but it is close.
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Post by Celticboy on Jan 15, 2014 13:32:41 GMT
Thanks. I realized I haven't put up any pictures. I only have one good picture of my rapier. Pardon the costume. I do Dread Pirate Roberts for ren faires.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jan 16, 2014 9:08:16 GMT
Welcome to the site: Little embellishment to what has already been said. If you are looking to join an interest group you really need to find out what their weapon requirements are first. Don't want to go out on your own and be told that they don't accept what you have. Rapiers aren't cheap. Any fencing has gotten more expensive in the last 15 years, but the complex hilts and blades on these big swords adds to the cost. Hanwei has an advantage of diversity and relatively good reponse time. Darkwood is the best competition maker out there in my experience. Zen and Alchem will put you in the game, but Darkwood is the class of the competition business, just as Arms and Armor in the US and Lutel in Europe are the masters of the rapier. (Big $$$ )
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Post by Celticboy on Jan 16, 2014 12:16:04 GMT
I'm looking to join my local SCA. I'm from Mississippi and we have a pretty active group. Like I said I'm just getting started in the real sword field and want some historically accurate weapons.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Jan 16, 2014 12:35:13 GMT
Just like what Dave said, you should check with the group or school first to see what the use or allow. But around here where I am at most anything out there is good. Hanwei was the most popular starter rapiers, before the fire. if you are looking for a budget rapier? Zen Warrior would be the one you want. I have their Clamshell rapier, and I had it for 7 or 8 years through some very hard use now(Man I should really upgrade lol)and It's still going strong. If you are going to use it for training and for tournaments, I would recommend the schlarger blade. For reenactments I would recommend(check with your group 1st) the rapier blade, because it's stiffer and usually with reenactments you will be going up against other weapons. I would also recommend getting the oval grip instead of their standard cylindrical grip. Here is my rapier with both the blades. The rapier blade as the red tape. Here you can see the different stiffness.
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Post by Celticboy on Jan 16, 2014 15:16:05 GMT
I'm considering saving my money and getting a Darkwood. Now, in my searches through the above listed sites I have noticed a lot of names for different blades. Darkwood has bated; Zen has practice, musketeer, schlager, and rapier; etc etc. Can you guys clear up what all these different terms mean?
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Post by StevenJ on Jan 21, 2014 2:06:43 GMT
Schalger is a German type of practice blade, very similar to a rapier blade and many times indistinguishable. The Musketeer blade is thrusting only. It is a very thick three sided blade, often called a double wide Epee. Some Rapier groups will frown on them as being too stiff. I'd recommend Adrian Empire, I'm a member, the SCA, or some HEMA group.
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