[CFML] smallsword

Hello,

I'm an 18th c reenactor, did sport fencing in
university, and for the past 2 years I've been
fencing smallsword.

Can someone explain why the smallsword replaced the
rapier? Given a choice, I'd rather carry a bit of
extra weight in order to have the length, the use of
the edge and the better hand protection of the rapier.
Are there practical reasons or is it possible that its
just "fashion"?

Fil Walker

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Well, it's half the weight, short enough that is not always catching on the
drapes, funiture or tripping small children, and with the smaller hilt it
let's you sit down without unbuckling. Considering you carry a hundred, a
thousand days for every day you fight, these are not small considerations.

But, in combat, the smallsword is faster and handy enough to do dui tempi
beat parry/riposts where the rapier only does parries with opposition and
stop attacks well. This also encourages attacks in combination with beats
and binds as well as the rapier's cavatone(sp)/feint. Its light weight
allows you to fight longer without fatigue and (most) have enough of an edge
for nuissance cuts.

Of course, thats just of the top of my head.

Bob Lyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Fil Walker [mailto:fil_walker@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 7:20 AM
To: classicalfencing@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CFML] smallsword


Hello,

I'm an 18th c reenactor, did sport fencing in
university, and for the past 2 years I've been
fencing smallsword.

Can someone explain why the smallsword replaced the
rapier? Given a choice, I'd rather carry a bit of
extra weight in order to have the length, the use of
the edge and the better hand protection of the rapier.
Are there practical reasons or is it possible that its
just "fashion"?

Fil Walker

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Everything you'll ever need on one web page
from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts
http://uk.my.yahoo.com


----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier
blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/




----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

At 10:09 AM 11/7/2002 -0600, "Bob Lyle" <blyle@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>Well, it's half the weight, short enough that is not always catching on the
>drapes, funiture or tripping small children, and with the smaller hilt it
>let's you sit down without unbuckling. Considering you carry a hundred, a
>thousand days for every day you fight, these are not small considerations.
>
>But, in combat, the smallsword is faster and handy enough to do dui tempi
>beat parry/riposts where the rapier only does parries with opposition and
>stop attacks well. This also encourages attacks in combination with beats
>and binds as well as the rapier's cavatone(sp)/feint. Its light weight
>allows you to fight longer without fatigue and (most) have enough of an edge
>for nuissance cuts.

You forgot the most important thing: a smallsword is SO much more
fashionable than a rapier. No French nobleman should be caught without one.

--K


----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------


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Ah but I, like Hope and McBane, am a practical Scot. Ah dinna fash misself
wi'hae it looks if it's guid at killin'.

Bob Lyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Moser [mailto:kmoser@kmoser.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 8:51 PM
To: Classical Fencing
Subject: RE: [CFML] smallsword

You forgot the most important thing: a smallsword is SO much more
fashionable than a rapier. No French nobleman should be caught without one.

--K



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----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------


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