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Post by ragebot on Oct 17, 2023 1:49:54 GMT
So I am surfing the internet trying to figure out if there is a decent cutting rapier which still is in consideration for my next sword purchase when I run across this vid that was somewhat of a shock to me as it is a sword I have never seen before. So can some of you smart guys advise me on this sword in particular and what I will call a light cutting sword in general. Are there decent cutting rapiers (I really like the length advantage some of them have) or would I be better off going with some other maybe more modern sword design. Or is this Ottoman kilij a serious option. The price of the killij is $US399 which I get is sorta budget friendly price so lets try and keep options somewhat close to this price point. link to the vendor is in the vid.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 17, 2023 4:07:40 GMT
Rapier and cutting is a contradiction. Of course rapiers can cause cutting wounds and can cut mats to some degree but they aren't made for it You can use a rapier like a mace too, that doesn't make it a mace. Cut and thrust "rapiers" are called sidesword/reitschwert, or just sword. They have shorter blades than rapiers simply because longer blades bend easier on a cut. Curved flat singe edge sabers are good cutters, that's no surprise.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 17, 2023 8:06:59 GMT
Are there decent cutting rapiers LK Chen makes a decent cutting rapier. I think two now. A link to his video is !https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgGuqmA75TE . Remove the leading ! then you can copy and paste. The video show cutting from water bottles to bamboo.
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Post by pellius on Oct 17, 2023 10:10:45 GMT
There are better cutter designs than rapiers or sabers.
I’m not a rapier guy, so I’m not much help there.
There are sabers that have a lot of reach.
The closest one to a rapier in handling that I know of (again acknowledging my limited experience with rapiers) is the French Model 1822 heavy cavalry saber. It sports a three foot blade and is amazingly fast in the hand. It also boasts good hand protection.
Sadly, I am not aware of any faithful reproductions. I only bring it up to show that some saber models might meet your goals, depending on their details.
Incidentally, and with all due respect to Skal, distal taper is useful for more than just handling. A thin foible cuts thru material easier than a thick one. A major reason for having a yelman in the first place is to put more steel in the foible without making it thicker in cross section.
As always, I would encourage you to check out antiques. Some decent models are very close to your budget, and worlds better in performance.
Good hunting!
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Post by madirish on Oct 17, 2023 17:51:54 GMT
You can certainly get an antique French 1822LC saber in that budget range (I picked up a trooper's blade for less than that delivered last week). sword weight 36oz, ~35-7/8" long blade, 1-1/4" wide at guard, 10mm or 3/8" thick at guard. pob ~5.25 inches, false edge is about 7" long
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Post by ragebot on Oct 18, 2023 22:02:05 GMT
Based on the posts so far I am leaning towards getting some flavor of a saber. I still need to get up to speed on what I will term the level of curve of the blade. The Ottoman kilij I linked to in my OP has what I will call an extreme curve while I have seen sabers that while not having a straight blade are far less curved than the kilij; and while I have not seen one yet I suspect there are sabers with more curve than the kilij. So can anyone help me get up to speed on where the happy point is for how curved a saber blade should be.
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Post by madirish on Oct 19, 2023 0:11:52 GMT
One of the members here has posted a French 1822 for a reasonable price in the Swords for Sale group in FB...he is a member here. 340 Euro, I believe Attachments:
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Post by pellius on Oct 19, 2023 0:15:57 GMT
I kinda think the best blade curvature mostly just comes down to your preference and fighting/cutting style.
Too curved, and your sword arm can “bottom out” before the blade clears the target.
Of course, for cavalry sabers, the moving horse powers much of the cut or thrust. Some cav sabers were made to be used while dismounted though.
There is disagreement among our sword friends, but some have the opinion that a straight blade cuts as well as a curved blade with an otherwise similar geometry.
Personally, I like the curve of the1822’s (heavy and light). Dunno about improved performance, but the proportions of the swoopy curves and sultry lines are gorgeous.
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Post by pellius on Oct 19, 2023 0:20:17 GMT
One of the members here has posted a French 1822 for a reasonable price in the Swords for Sale group in FB...he is a member here. 340 Euro, I believe Bummer if no scabbard. That said, a first gen ‘22LC is a fine choice, especially with an intact grip wire! Euro is down a bit against the dollar atm, too.
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Post by pellius on Oct 19, 2023 1:42:40 GMT
Also btw, though not rapier-like at all, maybe also consider something like this niuweidao: www.kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-niu-wei-dao/I have one, as well as the (smaller and not quite as nice) Hanwei version. Either will out-cut most sabers (including my beloved 1822’s) and probably all rapiers. Either will almost certainly cut better than the saber in Skal’s video. They both handle nicely, too, especially for the price point.
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Post by swordofdamokles on Oct 19, 2023 1:45:46 GMT
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Post by swordofdamokles on Oct 19, 2023 2:15:52 GMT
I also have a LKChen Niu Wei Dao I could add to the package for an additional €260 for a total of €600 including shipping. It's scary sharp and a beastly cutter.
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Post by madirish on Oct 19, 2023 2:32:17 GMT
Gotta admit, I'm even tempted a bit...I picked up an early one (1824) and failed to notice in the pics that the outer branch of the guard was bent (of course, the PO did not point it out, but it was there and I failed to see it). However, if I buy another sword in the next few months, my wife is liable to kill me in my sleep.
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Post by swordofdamokles on Oct 19, 2023 7:37:56 GMT
Gotta admit, I'm even tempted a bit...I picked up an early one (1824) and failed to notice in the pics that the outer branch of the guard was bent (of course, the PO did not point it out, but it was there and I failed to see it). However, if I buy another sword in the next few months, my wife is liable to kill me in my sleep. I don't think my wife would notice a new sword even in the living room display, and that is only a 15 tier rack in a wall mounted display case where my antiques live. I'm luckily only limited by my fun money and how many swords I can cram in my half of our study. 😂
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Post by madirish on Oct 19, 2023 15:19:34 GMT
LOL, yes, I've seen your display! So far, I only have 5 repros on the wall and need to get a 6th up and find room/build a display for 6 antiques and 2 medieval axes. I bought my first sword in February...... My wife is a little flabbergasted, but yeah, burning my fun money...which is mostly exhausted at this point, lol. right now, by exercise bike is doing double duty as a sword stand. Attachments:
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