Rags,
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rags:
A quick find-on-page search for "rapier fencing" shows that it's only appeared in your posts; it's understandable that you would be confused where rapier fencing fits in.[/QUOTE]
Excuse me?
YOU are the one who started this thread, which was apparently about "foil and saber fencing".
YOU are the one who then muddled the issue, when you brought up the use of "rapiers".
YOU also echoed Ben86's incorrect notion regarding the foil being a practice weapon for the rapier.
YOU are the one who offered an overly simplistic and inaccurate appraisal regarding the relationship between the rapier and smallsword.
So tell me now, who's really "confused"?
You have been remarkably unclear and/or elusive in your posts. I'm simply trying to find out what you do, fencing-wise. Do you train in the modern weapons, a reconstruction of rapier fencing, or perhaps a combination of both?
It's not a difficult question.
[QUOTE]Correct, the other members of the club have almost no experience. There are two more experienced people who can defend the thrusts, but they were not included in my count because they're not active. Neither are members, nor have they shown up more than once.[/QUOTE]
Fair enough.
Milk those low-line attacks against the neophyte escrimeurs for all they're worth, but keep in mind that you'll ultimately have to bout against more experienced folks too, so you'll have to vary your tactical approach.
[QUOTE]The smallsword and rapier are closely related.[/QUOTE]
They are related, but they are not the same. Considerable differences in their respective designs and use exist. You're also ignoring the FACT that the modern foil is NOT meant to "simulate the rapier". Any fencing historian will tell you that.
[QUOTE]The smallsword is lighter and slightly shorter, and was used as the basic weapon of the French schools.[/QUOTE]
It also typically lacks any real cutting edge--it is a pure thrusting weapon. Rapiers, on the other hand, usually retain a functional edge.
[QUOTE]The rapier was used as the basis of the Itallian schools.[/QUOTE]
No offense meant, but here's yet another example of where you betray your comparative lack of knowledge on the subject of fencing and fencing history.
It is true that the smallsword was a French development, but it was also adopted throughout much of Europe. It was, in fact, widely used by the Italians too, especially in the North (in the South, the Neopolitans and Sicilians--doubtlessly due to longtime Spanish influence--retained the use of the long cup-hilt rapier).
[QUOTE]Not that it makes much of a difference, but I train with a cup-hilt rapier.[/QUOTE]
It can actually make a considerable difference.
Swept-hilts were most prominent in the 16th century, and often featured rather substantial blades that were still capable of very damaging cuts. The rappir used in the German school of the late 16th and early 17th centuries was a stout cut-and-thrust weapon. In Jakob Sutor's manual of 1612, this type of rapier is shown as being capable of severing a hand at the wrist.
Later, thinner cup-hilt rapiers could not cut with such severity, and there was thus an even greater emphasis on the use of the point.
In conclusion, I'm sorry if my posts on this thread have in any way offended you, but you were the person who initially posted questionable material here--I simply asked for clarification on what exactly you do, in terms of fencing.
And I'm still waiting for an answer regarding your work with rapiers--is it a reconstruction taught to you by your maestro and/or coach?
Peace,
A_M_P
[This message has been edited by Armed_Man_Piker (edited 01-04-2005).]
Previous Topic
Index
