Fiberglass Rapiers

[Brian Hunt]

Hi all,

just a quick note to say that the rapier part of the Provo event went well, and the fiberglass rapier simulators worked quite well. As a result, John wanted me to make a post about them with some pictures of them. Since my "how to" article already has pictures of my completed weapons, I am placing a link for downloading it.

how to

Any questions or comments are welcome.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[JeffGentry]

hey Brian

I'm a little unclear in the blade configuration, The two outside rod's are shorter than the center one if I'm reading your direction's correctly?

Jeff

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Jeff,

no just the opposite the inside rod is the shorter one, and the two outer rods are the ones kept at 4 feet so that they can bend around the shorter rod and come together to form the point.

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[JeffGentry]

Hey Brian

Ok i thought you were froming a point, that was why i ask i wasn't sure which one's were the shorter/longer.

Thank's

Jeff

[JeffGentry]

Hey Brian

Have you tried a left hand dagger with this method it look's like it could work? Or do you just use a buckler?

Jeff

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Jeff,

yes you could easily make a dagger with this method. I would probably use a smaller diamater fiberglass rod for a dagger, and you don't need much of a pommell, but it works fine. I have one, and there was one made by someone else at the Provo event.

laters.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[JeffGentry]

Hey Brian

I tried ash awhile back(last summer) for a waster and of course it broke i did turn it into a dagger, it is a rough shape i have yet to finish it.

i was just curious if you or anyone else had done a dagger with the fiber glass rod's, i may do one.


Jeff

[Brian Hunt]

Ummm,

I believe I just said that I had made a fiberglass dagger with this method, and that someone else in Provo had one at the event as well. Sorry if I miscommunicated that.

Brian Hunt.
GFS

[John_Clements]

Hi
I must say, skeptical as I was, these performed well in practice and heavy sparring, in many ways superior to flexi steel ones. They required no large rubber point to distort performance, were fairly stiff and certainly lengthy, and permitted all the correct techniques when blades are in contact. They were also safe enough to even make slashing/drawing cuts to the forearm, calf, and mask with much more impact and force than possible with a steel blade. They seem fairly easy and cheap to make too.

JC

[JeffGentry]

Hey John

Hopefully we'll have a couple by the time you get to Columbus for the 1.1, and you can give us some training tip's.

I myself am clueless about anything to do with Rapier's or cut and thrust, would like to get you out for a Rapier class.

Jeff

[Allen Johnson]

Speaking of which...John, are you any closer on coming up with some ideas on what you would like for a GFS rapier?

[John_Clements]

Yes, along with a verbal test and performing various movements, it will involve actually demonstrating techniques against a selected partner.

[Allen Johnson]

Great! I'm already drooling at the idea of a rapier and c &amp; t prize playing! <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Webmaster]

Some pictures of the fiberglass rapiers in use at the Provo event:

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Stacey,

thanks for posting those.

Brian Hunt
GFS