The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

[AR-Trvlr]

"The katana! It's the ultimate sword!*

(*In feudal Japan)


The rapier.

Long and fast. I think it's the ultimate evolution of the sword. The only good way to realistically survive a sword fight against an opponent with a rapier is to also have a rapier.

Or a Glock

"Oh, if I were going against somebody with a rapier I would bring XYZ sword, it's so big he would not be able to parry it"

If your sword is heavy enough that a rapier can't stop it, it's heavy enough he can simply step out of the way but he will stab you in the brain, poke out both your eyes, and slit your throat before you ever got close to him regardless and you can't really effectively dodge a thrust from a rapier.

I know, before you fencing enthusiasts can say it, I am aware that there are better tools for combat sport. But, I think in real combat, going up against a real rapier with anything other than a rapier is suicidal.

Depends on the armor in use. Absolutely correct if no armor but I would argue the point for periods with heavier armor.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Depends on the armor in use. Absolutely correct if no armor but I would argue the point for periods with heavier armor.

Yeah

 

[toker]

The rapier.

Isn't this on the list of things you want to make?

 

[XtianAus]

Hey Nathan will you use AEBL again anytime soon?

 

[bluemax_1]

"The katana! It's the ultimate sword!*

(*In feudal Japan)


The rapier.

Long and fast. I think it's the ultimate evolution of the sword. The only good way to realistically survive a sword fight against an opponent with a rapier is to also have a rapier.

Or a Glock

"Oh, if I were going against somebody with a rapier I would bring XYZ sword, it's so big he would not be able to parry it"

If your sword is heavy enough that a rapier can't stop it, it's heavy enough he can simply step out of the way but he will stab you in the brain, poke out both your eyes, and slit your throat before you ever got close to him regardless and you can't really effectively dodge a thrust from a rapier.

I know, before you fencing enthusiasts can say it, I am aware that there are better tools for combat sport. But, I think in real combat, going up against a real rapier with anything other than a rapier is suicidal.

Yup.

Did kendo, as well as Chinese sword styles, Filipino, as well as HEMA.

Sword vs sword, without armor, the rapier is absolutely my pick. It evolved into what it is, BECAUSE of its effectiveness in duels between unarmored opponents.

For the folks who’ve never trained in sword arts, there are a few “katana vs rapier” videos on YT. I’ll just say that every one I’ve seen is BS. The rapier wielder is always trying to stab the katana wielder through and through.

In a REAL duel/sword fight, a SMART rapier wielder isn’t going to risk a dual fatality, stabbing the katana wielder through, AS they get cut in half. The rapier wielder will simply aim to cut ANY body part within reach. Hands/wrists, forearms, knees, thighs… and rapiers tended to average blade lengths around 35” - 45”, with 40-42” being quite common.

Katanas should be sized to the wielder, so historical ones are shorter than ideal for the average Westerner, due to short average heights of samurai of the era (5’3” to 5’5”), but a 42” rapier has quite a reach advantage over a 30” katana blade sized for a Western swordsman.

Unlike the movies, ANY cut inhibits mobility and reduces your effectiveness as a fighter. Blood loss exacerbates that.

The final fight in the movie Rob Roy, is actually a decent depiction of someone with a light, fast sword (small sword, shorter, lighter and even faster than a rapier), vs a broadsword.

 

[Burke]

Here’s the thing though. There’s no way any modern machinist could make something as beautiful and elegant as a rapier, even out of a super steel like 3v, and offer it for preorder when my bonus hits in January.

 

[Blues]

Or a folder...for that matter.

 

[bluemax_1]

Here’s the thing though. There’s no way any modern machinist could make something as beautiful and elegant as a rapier, even out of a super steel like 3v, and offer it for preorder when my bonus hits in January.

For a preorder, probably not. For a $100,000 custom order? Possibly

 

[jlauffer]

"The katana! It's the ultimate sword!*

(*In feudal Japan)


The rapier.

Long and fast. I think it's the ultimate evolution of the sword. The only good way to realistically survive a sword fight against an opponent with a rapier is to also have a rapier.

Or a Glock

"Oh, if I were going against somebody with a rapier I would bring XYZ sword, it's so big he would not be able to parry it"

If your sword is heavy enough that a rapier can't stop it, it's heavy enough he can simply step out of the way but he will stab you in the brain, poke out both your eyes, and slit your throat before you ever got close to him regardless and you can't really effectively dodge a thrust from a rapier.

I know, before you fencing enthusiasts can say it, I am aware that there are better tools for combat sport. But, I think in real combat, going up against a real rapier with anything other than a rapier is suicidal.

Death of a thousand pokes!

Always loved rapiers too, but also wondered if they might be too fragile for real "work".

 

[bluemax_1]

Death of a thousand pokes!

Always loved rapiers too, but also wondered if they might be too fragile for real "work".

Folks who don’t do HEMA tend to think of rapiers when they see anything that looks close.

Here’s a decent video talking about rapiers vs smallswords.