Postby Brian Hunt » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:42 pm
One of the biggest problems I have found with any replica sharp or blunt I have handled is mass distribution. The period rapiers I have personally handled are very thick at the forte. Generally at least 3/8's of an inch and I have handled one that was over a 1/2 inch thick. From the forte they do a dramatic distal taper down about 2/3rds of the way down the blade where they level out and remain about the same thickness (somewhere around a 1/4 inch) to the tip. Just before the tip a few I have seen even thicken some. This lack of correct mass distribution is part of the reason for the incorrect way most replicas handle. It is more than an issue of noodly blade, though that is also a problem. The incorrect starting mass or thickness is a large part of what contributes to the creation of noodle blades that don't handle well. Most modern blades I have handled are all ground or forged from 1/4 inch flat stock instead of starting off with 1/2 stock.
just some other issues as I see them on the problem with modern replica rapiers.
Brian Hunt
ARMA Senior Researcher
P.S. Ray, if you want a couple of fiberglass rapiers that you don't want to build, private message me. I make them for sale.
