The Armour Archive

Greetings,

I am looking for a super cheap yet safe SCA legal rapier.

A rapier fencer in our practice group could use a sparring parter, and I can use the legwork and quickness of that type of practice.

Since I am not sure of how much I will be using it, or for how long, I want to start on the cheap, and then decide if it makes sense to buy a good blade.

If you have an old SCA rapier collecting dust somewhere, pls. drop me a line.

Thanks!

RofN

Hello

Try triplet, I got mine for about 130$ when I hurt my back and couldt fight heavy.


Goose

Rowan of Needwood wrote:Greetings,

I am looking for a super cheap yet safe SCA legal rapier.

A rapier fencer in our practice group could use a sparring parter, and I can use the legwork and quickness of that type of practice.

Since I am not sure of how much I will be using it, or for how long, I want to start on the cheap, and then decide if it makes sense to buy a good blade.

If you have an old SCA rapier collecting dust somewhere, pls. drop me a line.

Thanks!

RofN

Are you looking for an epee or a heavy rapier?

Antonio

Antonio,

My rapier experiece is limited to: Guy Williams playing Zorro on TV WAY back when, The Sea Hawk, Tyrone Powers, The Adventures of Don Juan... you get the point.

Our practice is very new and she is the only rapier fighter that has attended. (besides the heavies of course) I was touched by the enthusiasm and persistence of this fencer, and the only decent thing to do is to give her someone to practice with. So you can describe this as a bid to become a credible living pell.... Besides it looks like fun, and I may even grow a "Porthos" beard.....

As for the blades themselves, my ignorance is such that I am not sure of the precise differences between the two blade types you describe.
I guess I would prefer a lighter, nimbler blade. My fencing experience is limited to Kendo and SCA Heavy fighting, so I am really starting from zero here.

Thanks!

Rowan

antonio wrote:

Rowan of Needwood wrote:Greetings,

I am looking for a super cheap yet safe SCA legal rapier.

A rapier fencer in our practice group could use a sparring parter, and I can use the legwork and quickness of that type of practice.

Since I am not sure of how much I will be using it, or for how long, I want to start on the cheap, and then decide if it makes sense to buy a good blade.

If you have an old SCA rapier collecting dust somewhere, pls. drop me a line.

Thanks!

RofN

Are you looking for an epee or a heavy rapier?

Antonio

What size blade does she have? You should be able to describe it or find a photo of something similar on the web to give people something more to go on.

What's legal in Atlantia? I should think that you'd need to start there...right? Do they follow Society conventions for this, as they do Heavy?


*Note: After looking, Atlantia DOES follow society conventions on blades with a few minor exceptions. Here is the list of approved rapier blades from the society for Atlantia:

Rapier Blade List

Having first checked the Atlantian rules (which default to Society standard), the first thing, as stated by Jabberwockey, is to find out what sort of blade your opponent is using.
SCA rapier combat comes in two sorts, the blades for which are not compatible with each other. Light blades, such as sport fencing foils and epees and double width epees are one style, and must not have any openings in the hilt that will allow a blade through.
Schlager style heavier blades may have fancy swept hilts ( and if your tip control is good enough you can take your opponent's hand through the gaps)
The only cross over in blade types is for flexi-daggers which are considered good for either.

Rowan of Needwood wrote:Antonio,
As for the blades themselves, my ignorance is such that I am not sure of the precise differences between the two blade types you describe.
I guess I would prefer a lighter, nimbler blade. My fencing experience is limited to Kendo and SCA Heavy fighting, so I am really starting from zero here.

Epee blades are triangular in cross section, heavy rapier blades (sometimes known as schlagers) are flat, oval or diamond (depending on the manufacturer). We do also allow foils (square cross section) in Atlantia, but they are fairly rare outside the youth program.

It is important to know which as you can not use a heavy rapier blade against a epee or a foil (this would not be good for said epee or foil). Epees are fairly inexpensive to pick up and I have a spare I'd be happy to loan you.

Looking at the rapier Marshal's roster there are a two marshals listed in your shire (both of whom happen to be White Scarves) who should be able to help you out. The roster is at http://marshal.atlantia.sca.org/roster/ ... yLast.html.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with - I do come up to that area every other month or so to work on some armor with Baron Heinrich - if time permits, I'd be happy to come over for a practice.

-Antonio

Rowan, why don't you and the fencer go to one of the local rapier practices a few times to get an idea of how you can safely spar with her? Look at the weapons, ask about the rules, talk to the marshals about drills and exercises. Aside from a rapier, do you have a mask and fencing-legal clothes? Importantly, how much experience does the fencer have? Can she comfortably guide a partner who's not experienced with rapier?

Local practices that I know of are Storvik (Monday nights in College Park), Lochmere (Tuesday nights in Columbia, I think), and Ponte Alto (not sure of the day or location).

Baron Alejandro is back on the AA. Please PM him to pick his brains. He's not in our part of Atlantia, but he's extremely knowledgeable about training and all other fencing things. He might also have e-mail addresses for some of the northern Atlantia rapier marshals, like Lord Melchior, who's another expert on training and practice.

I live in Roxbury Mill myself, but go to the Storvik practice. Since I'm a fencer in training and not yet authorized, I feel that I need to attend a practice with a marshal present. I know of at least one other fencer from Roxbury Mill there.

The Atlantian RapierNet Yahoo group is an excellent place to take your questions and to find weapons.

By the way, how does the fencer feel about sparring with you at Roxbury Mill practice rather than at a rapier practice? Is she comfortable with the idea?

I admire your intention. I just want both of you to be safe and have a productive practice.

Rowan, Flittie mostly has the right of it.

Don't buy a used blade unless you have handled it and possibly had it examined by someone with experience.

If you want to buy a new one (which is relatively safe to do, if you want to buy something sight unseen), call 336-835-1205 and ask for walter or mad dave. Tell them your plight and tell them Alejandro sent you. No, actually, i'm not kidding!

Otherwise, stuff your lonely little fencer in the car and drag them to another practice. Ponte Alto is an EXCELLENT practice, and worth the drive.

To add... Ponte Alto's practice is on Thursdays and Sundays.

Currently Sunday practice is held at Lemon Road Elementary with heavy.

http://pontealto.atlantia.sca.org/weekly.php#rapier

My fiancee is looking at getting a rapier, and one of the best deals we have found is for Hanwei's practical rapier. Ebay for about 115. Comes in 37" and 43" blades. Schlager.

Thanks for your quick reply, Alejandro. Did you want to address any issues besides the blade, like how a heavy fighter should adjust for sparring with a fencer?

I'll plug the Storvik practice, which may be a shorter drive than Ponte Alto. We have up to three marshals, although they don't all come every week. Constanza is a Gold Scarf, and Melchior is a White Scarf. Alex, the other marshal, whose rank I don't know, has lots of loaner equipment.

Rowan,

Here's the list I always give our new people who decide they want to stick to rapier and get out of the loaner gear stage.

http://www.darkwoodarmory.com/ -- If you go to their economy line their stuff is hard to beat anywhere right now and it's still top notch stuff. I've personally handled the economy pappenheimer and it's a great piece.

http://www.jamesthejust.com/ -- James is great, and he's always garaunteed his stuff and sticks to it. I had a sail guard bust and he fixed it for free.

http://www.alcheminc.com/ -- Alchem Inc. is great especially for non-traditional stuff such as curved blades. Sometimes it takes some time before receiving final product though, but very well made.

http://www.mkarmory.com/ -- Marco-Kreiger Armory has some good looking stuff, I personally have not done business with them though, so it's your choice.

www.zenwarriorarmory.com -- Zen Warrior Armoury (used to be Triplette Arms), good beginner stuff may take some time to receive stuff. I generally recommend staying away from the french grip stuff though it's post-1600 furniture.

I'll generally invite the new folks over and sit down and discuss the many options available and make sure they talk to the right folks at each shop.

Gio

Oswyn_de_Wulferton wrote:My fiancee is looking at getting a rapier, and one of the best deals we have found is for Hanwei's practical rapier. Ebay for about 115. Comes in 37" and 43" blades. Schlager.

While they are good for the price, the blades on these can vary significantly. My primary is the 43" blade, but its really only a 40" with 3" of false ricaso. Neither the 43" or 37" are well balanced out of the box. To get a decent balance, you should invest in a heavy pommel. Of course this increases the weight of an already very heavy weapon.

My personal preference is for a lighter rapier in the hands of a newer fencer. Most do not realise the strain that holding a heavy blade out at extension will exert upon the muscles of the forearm. People with heavier rapiers will tend to suffer from tennis elbow or carpal tunnel like symptoms after a while.

For a lightweight rapier, I am now hoping someone will bring me back a James the Just smallsword with a 37" blade from Estrella.

I personaly like the balance of the hanwei's out of the box.

beginers will find them a little heavy but (if taught corect form ) will quickly adjust to the weight. (I've trained several beginners and never seen joint problems from the weight of the sword)

the problem I do see with the Hanwei is there is little hand protection in the hilt, and newer fighters can get frustraited ater abot 100,000 hand shots. so I'll generaly recomend a papenheimer or cup hilt.

I'll be at estrella and am always happy to assist in training, talking or shopping. I'll be easy to find, just look for the artenisian comand team(I'm the pretty guy with the white scarf)

Hope this helps
Don Aaron

As something of an aside, I was wondering if there is much historical evidence of fencing in italy in the mid to late 14th century? I'm focusing on the crossbow, but I do miss swordplay, and heavy fighting is no longer an option, and I'd like to keep the whole kit of a similar period.

Romulus wrote:As something of an aside, I was wondering if there is much historical evidence of fencing in italy in the mid to late 14th century? I'm focusing on the crossbow, but I do miss swordplay, and heavy fighting is no longer an option, and I'd like to keep the whole kit of a similar period.

If you don't mind going a little over time-wise look at Fiore's stuff from 1410. Just remember the treatise was written in 1410, he could have easily been using said information prior to this time.

As a side note I'll be making a new gambeson for rapier fighting and concentrating on earlier styles such as Fiore after my lady and I step down as B&B.

Gio

What I read about the fellow indicates he learned his techniques from Germans, and fought in a number of battles in the 1380's, so I think i can safely use his reference material to cover my mid/late 14th century pesona.
Now, is there a weapn made for SCA fencing which comes close to mimicking a long sword?

Romulus,

all but Zen warrior offer longswords in some fashion or another. I prefer the Darkwood stuff, but YMMV.

Gio

I have 2 Schlager blades that are approx 8 years old and still used when we have enough people over playing. Basic bell with qUILLIONS and knuckle bow. I would let them go for 200. For another 80 Bucks I would throw in a NEW brig Spanish collar Style gorget in your size (With choice of leather color)