> I have been using 40 inch schlager blades for my Italian and Spanish rapier
> classes. However, I have found them to be quite "whippy." This whippiness
> adversely effects point control. I am looking for a more realistic
> alternative.
The schlager blades fall short in a number of areas, of which whippiness is the most noticeable.
> I have heard that Triplette Competition Arms sells two blades which are
> purported to perform more like a real rapier blade: The Triplette Rapier
> Blade and the Zamorano Rapier Blade.
>
> I have also heard that some historical fencers are using "real" rapier
> blades, with the points filed flat and then covered with a rubber blunt tip.
>
> If any of you have experience with any of these blades or any others which I
> have not listed I would appreciate some feed back concerning their handling.
Both are closer than a schlager blade They both have the correct profile for a rapier blades; the real difference is in the amount of 'bend' and the weighting/balancing due to the distribution of mass. I've used a Zamorano and while I didn't personally care for the balance and feel of it, the improvement over a schlager was marked. I know a number of people who have them and think highly of them. The same is true of the Triplette blade, though last I knew this was only available in a 35" length which is a bit short for a rapier.
There is also the Del Tin 'practice' rapier blade, which comes in 2 versions. The first is known as a 'practice' rapier blade and has a width at the ricasso of 20mm. The second is the 'bated' rapier blade which has a width of 25mm at the ricasso and a markedly more stiff blade. Both have sufficient flex to be useable for sparring as well as drillwork while also having enough stiffness to perform complex blade maneuvers and techniques such as stesso tempo counters and other techniques using opposition. these are available primarily through Scott Wilson of Darkwood Armory in FL; he developed them in conjunction with Fulvio Del Tin. These are widely used in the SCA and WMA communities and most everyone I know who has one is happy with them. IMO they are the best simulator out there that is safe and easy to use for bouting as well as training.
In addition there's a Del Tin practice 'sidesword', backsword and smallsword blade available. The 'sidesword' is useful for such styles as the cut and thrust play of Dall a'ggochie, Marozzo and Viggiani. The backsword blade is good for anything from Silver to more classical-era Highland broadsword/backsword play. The smallsword blade is more of a spadroon-type than a true smallsword but the length and weight is correct for
early smallsword - again, Scott developed these blades to fit a niche.
I know some folks who have been sparring with "real" rapier blades from companies such as Arms and Armor, Lutel and Mannign Imperial. They have had no real problems with them *provided* the user and his opponent are suitably well-trained. For beginners I wouldn't really recommend these, but opinions vary.
I believe Maestro Martinez has been using the FISAS rapier blade available from Del Tin and I know of at least on eother person who uses it as a teaching blade. While it resembles an epee or smallsword in cross-section more than a rapier it does handle far more like a rapier than a schlager will, due to the distal taper. Leon Paul also makes a rapier blade but I haven't seen one - from what I've heard it's narrow and light.
Hope that help.
Jon Barber
Tattershall School of Defense, Phoenix
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