Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

ReverseLunge · 07-16-2005, 02:43 PM

Does anyone know if it is possible to put pistol grip on a real rapier blade?

Feraud · 07-16-2005, 04:12 PM

Depends on what you mean by a "real" blade
a real sword (rapier) blade would have a tang too thick to mount a modern pistol grip on. also if it was "real" I doubt you would find anyone who was willing to fence with you

Also the pommel on an historical weapon is hammered or welded on, not threaded like a modern fencing weapon.

pgepps · 07-16-2005, 06:22 PM

What he said. Caveat: almost anything is *possible*. Further caveat: the result would be, IMHO, an ugly and unweildy abomination.

If you want a functional replica blade with a more ergonomic grip, explore the Italian and Spanish hilts, or something with a ring guard, and see what you can do.

"Real" is not a useful word. See "functional replica" or "functional blade" above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feraud

Depends on what you mean by a "real" blade
a real sword (rapier) blade would have a tang too thick to mount a modern pistol grip on. also if it was "real" I doubt you would find anyone who was willing to fence with you

Also the pommel on an historical weapon is hammered or welded on, not threaded like a modern fencing weapon.

ReverseLunge · 07-16-2005, 07:21 PM

I just want something for personal protection in the house. A lot of people own guns. I personally don't know how to use a gun and don't really like them. If someone were to break into my house I would like to have something to defend myself with and since I know how to fence the logical answer is a sword and since I am used fencing with a pistol grip.....

fencinman89 · 07-16-2005, 10:31 PM

Are you for real or is that sarcasm?
-Tre'

ReverseLunge · 07-16-2005, 11:25 PM

Does anyone know if it is possible to put pistol grip on a real rapier blade?

ThatReallyHurt · 07-16-2005, 11:58 PM

Cut the tang back, grind the paint off the grip, weld them together. You'd probably want to weld a rod of some sort inside the hollow part of the grip to give it a little more strength, too...

Although... wouldn't a rapier blade be a wee bit too heavy to be comfortable on an orthopaedic?

DHCJr · 07-17-2005, 12:51 AM

Why weld them. You could thread the tang. It has been said above, you would need to cut down the tang and grind it down to make it fit.

ReverseLunge · 07-17-2005, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHCJr

Why weld them. You could thread the tang. It has been said above, you would need to cut down the tang and grind it down to make it fit.

Wouldn't the tang need to be the right diameter before i can think about threading it?

fencinman89 · 07-17-2005, 01:42 AM

Grind it down

needle · 07-17-2005, 02:12 AM

Fencing with real rapier requires very different control than sport weapons.
The blade is wider and significantly heavier. That results in losing effectiveness of finger control. Most of control shifts to the wrist. There is also a question of blade balance. Unless you will mold the pistol grip yourself from something heavy enough, your rapier will be way too blade heavy to control.
As alternative to rapier you might want to try smallsword - the blade is thinner, shorter and lighter and you might pull it off.

ReverseLunge · 07-17-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needle

Fencing with real rapier requires very different control than sport weapons.
The blade is wider and significantly heavier. That results in losing effectiveness of finger control. Most of control shifts to the wrist. There is also a question of blade balance. Unless you will mold the pistol grip yourself from something heavy enough, your rapier will be way too blade heavy to control.
As alternative to rapier you might want to try smallsword - the blade is thinner, shorter and lighter and you might pull it off.

I was actually thinking that. How long is a small sword?

needle · 07-17-2005, 02:28 AM

Depends. I've seen them anywhere between 29'' and 38''.
For comparison, my rapier is 44''

Just do a google on high carbon steel smallsword - you do want high carbon steel if you intend to sharpen it to hold an edge and to be useful for more than cutting vegetables.
Best of all - find an armoury in your area or go to renaissance fair nearest to you and get a feel for the blade control and balance to find out what length and width of the blade you would be most comfortable with. Good high carbon steel blade can easily cost you between $200 and $500, so get it right the first time

ReverseLunge · 07-17-2005, 02:44 AM

Actually I found this. I bet that i can just take off the French grip and put on a pistol. I don't really need an expensive sword since I'm not likely going to use it more than once if ever.

needle · 07-17-2005, 02:51 AM

I have not had experience with "real" blades from AFS, so cannot comment on them (one of my rapiers is from them, but it's the one I use for rapier and dagger fencing and it has standard epee blade). For your purpose I would suggest going with "diamond" blade they offer - you can sharpen that one for cutting as well as thrusting.

Chafunkta · 07-17-2005, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverseLunge

I just want something for personal protection in the house. A lot of people own guns. I personally don't know how to use a gun and don't really like them. If someone were to break into my house I would like to have something to defend myself with and since I know how to fence the logical answer is a sword and since I am used fencing with a pistol grip.....

You are a fencer. You are not a sword fighter. In fencing you learn how to press the tip of a stick on an opponent (or slash them for sabre). Both you and your opponent are bound to a linear track that you two can fence on. The use of swords in modern combat died out for a reason. It's called the gun.

If someone comes after you with a gun, sword - pistol grip or no - will not do you any good. No matter how fast you are, I'm pretty sure someone - anyone - with a 9 mm can hit you before you stick them.

ReverseLunge · 07-17-2005, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chafunkta

If someone comes after you with a gun, sword - pistol grip or no - will not do you any good. No matter how fast you are, I'm pretty sure someone - anyone - with a 9 mm can hit you before you stick them.

I know that but the thing is I don't use guns. I am for gun control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chafunkta

You are a fencer. You are not a sword fighter. In fencing you learn how to press the tip of a stick on an opponent (or slash them for sabre). Both you and your opponent are bound to a linear track that you two can fence on. The use of swords in modern combat died out for a reason.

I think Epee would translate well to the real world and besides that I don't use guns so what choice do i have?

Sumo_Sniper · 07-17-2005, 07:49 AM

Either fence sabre, as a real sabre would be much more wieldy and intimidating to someone breaking in and threatening you with a knife, or lose your gun ethics a get a Beretta 92F. Aim for the kneecaps.

Seriously, think about it. If you are breaking in, insane enough to try a get yourself in by brute force, maybe using a pocket kinfe, are you going to be more freaked out by a point weapon, or a long, sharp looking blade. Sure there are pro's and con's for each.

For a point weapon, the pro's would be that you are all the way on the other side of a long blade, and if the attacker isn't confident, he would be frightened by the pointy end, which could get him anywhere. But a confident (or insane) attacker would attempt to catch the point, or deflect the blade on a blunt edge. Catching the point, while it sounds stupid, would be less painful than a whole edge. Similarly, for a blunt edge, and from that point, they could push it out of the way, and you have no superior close range defence.

A blade weapon would be better in the sense that the opponent has a whole edge to contend with, and has no sensible way to block a strike. The downside is you are closer to your opponent, but give a few swipes, and even if you suck, you'll still scare the crap through them. Depending on how you hit with a blade, you have a better chance of temporarily incapacitating the attacker rather than killing or permanently incapacitating them with a point, which can lead to nasty lawsuits.

I stress though, a pistol, to the knees, is going to make sure the never come back for you. News of that will probably also discourage young misguided youths from doing bad things to your property.

WhipLash · 07-17-2005, 08:15 AM

would a taser be against gun control ethics? ok...perhaps i'm stupid...but i don't see why you have to attach a rapier blade to a fencing grip when u can take a regular epee and sharpen the point...

Ignatz · 07-17-2005, 08:55 AM

One topic that will be brought up at your trial will be that you used a weapon specificly tailored to you for killing someone as opposed to picking up one of your competition weapons and defending yourself. A gun owner can use store bought ammo but once they use "hand-loaded" ammo it brings up another topic for the other side to exploit. If you pull a gun or draw a sword, my advice is to kill. Easier said than done.