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Post by tajima on Sept 29, 2008 4:17:27 GMT
Hello all, I've never bought or even considered a European blade before. However, I find myself wandering over to Hanwei and browsing. My question: Can anyone list the Hanwei Rapier* availiable at Hanwei, and perhaps give some information on each? I would like to own one, they have always appeared to me as delicate and beautiful things - the speed and ability of them is intriguing. Thanks, -Tajima *I know in Japanese sword terms never to use English plurals, but I am unsure for European so I will leave it without plural. I do mean ALL of them, of course
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Sept 29, 2008 4:38:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 7:10:57 GMT
Buy a better rapier mate, I like the ones offered by Matthew Stagmer from BKS and whilst I don't own one I trust him and his product
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 9:16:14 GMT
Hanwei rapiers tend to be too light and too flexible for period rapiers. However for more modern fencing styles, they work wonders. If you like the rapier style of swords, maybe you should look at their mortuary swords. Both the mortuary and the cromwell sword by Hanwei are quite nice for their price. If you can afford it, del tin also makes some pretty nice rapiers. I personally like the DT5165 www.arts-swords.com/item/DT-DT5165.asp
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Post by tajima on Sept 29, 2008 22:06:26 GMT
I'm currently thinking of the Hanwei Side Sword? It's pretty attractive, Rapier themed and CAN CUT! What a beauty!
Definitely. Thanks for the help guys. Some of the DT's are beautiful!
Thanks, -Tajima
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 23:28:18 GMT
I have been eyeing this rapier for a couple of weeks now... the Paul Chen/Hanwei Gustav Rapier (for sale lots of places, around $190) www.imperialweapons.com/swords/iberia/29scabbard.htmlI love the guard with that little splash of color. I prefer the plain finish over the antiqued finish. And yeah, Cold Napalm is right on this one - they did this with a blade that is too light and short to be accurate for the time period. At least this review here agrees - www.myarmoury.com/review_casi_gustav.html On the other hand, it sounds like it is very nimble and fun to play with. To quote the review: "When trying to employ this sword in the methods of early 17th century Italian fencing masters, the sword wants to almost flail due to its light weight and close balance point. Single time defenses feel like they could be set aside too easily, and it lends itself to making the parries too big. When attempting to use later period foil fencing techniques, however, the weapon suddenly feels reasonably natural for this. Tip control is quite excellent in this style, and the weapon is short and light enough to make quick parry-riposte actions." The main reason I haven't gotten one yet, is that I am short on cash and I can't decide how much it bothers me that it isn't historically accurate. Buff
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 30, 2008 14:19:43 GMT
Hey Taj I have the Gustav. The review is here: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=4692 I have also felt up their swept hilt rapier. ( This One) I found that that one was not as comfortable to hold as the Gustav as it felt much bulkier between the fingers and kind of pushed in more. It also didn't really look as sexy in real life as the pics, whereas the Gustav does look mighty tasty in real life. Those two are the only ones I can comment on. Feel free to ask any questions about it.
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Post by tajima on Sept 30, 2008 22:12:59 GMT
Hey, I heard they are blunt (I read your review, I'm buying from Mike so I asked him what he knew about them) and I want a practical sword. Ah, sorry, I forgot about Euro - practical means blunt. How does that even work! Thanks, -Tajima
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 30, 2008 23:45:05 GMT
No the sharp one is blunt. They have a practical (as in practice) one which has a button tip. This one has a deadly tip. But they don't need sharp edges as you're not meant to cut with them, just thrust. But you can sharpen it up in 15 minutes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2008 18:33:12 GMT
I read your review of the Gustav, Brendan - nice one. Question - the pommel just screws on? Or is there a nut under there? I don't care much as long as it doesn't fall apart, myself. But a nut on the threads with the pommel glued on over it seems more secure and maintainable to me.
Somebody who knows a lot more than me about rapiers might know the answer to this - but isn't it pretty common with rapiers to thread and not peen them? I see that for quite a few, there are replacement blades available and in reading about them, it seems like people like to switch the blades around for different purposes sometimes. If so, peening wouldn't make any sense.
Another question - what is lining the filigreed thing in the ring guard? Is it leather? In your photos, it looks like brown leather. On most of the sales sites I have seen, it looks ike red velvet, or somesuch material -but no where does it say.
Buff
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2008 19:23:54 GMT
just another option to look at.. Scott Wilson @ www.darkwoodarmory.com/ makes very nice rapiers...a bit over the $300 range but well worth it. I use to have a side-sword made by him www.myarmoury.com/review_dw_ss.html and it was a great piece. His wares are highly thought of in the historical rapier fencing community. Cheers, billiam
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