Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.

Jump to the home page.

Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ Del Tin blades

Updated: May 24, 2005 

You are here: Home » SCA » Rapier » Survey 1

Policy blurb

By default, authors of comments sent in response to this survey are named only by their permission. Usually, other people mentioned in a comment are named only with their permission as well. Each comment represents only what the author typed in for the survey at the time.

» This survey was conducted during August-September 2003. Things change over time. «

Some comments were edited for content. Certain harsh words have been changed for your amusement. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the surveyor.

To get YOUR name listed with YOUR comments, just give me permission. See the e-mail button and information at the bottom of the page. Let me know your SCA name and kingdom (as of Aug/Sep 2003), and I'll add the attribution to your entries.

# of Responses
by Kingdom
 
AEth.  = 34/235
Anst.  = 36/240
An Tir = 56/347
Art.   = 12/124
Aten.  = 27/460
Atl.   = 60/425
Caid   = 49/400
Drach. = 21/76
Eald.  = 12/77
East   = 46/480
Loch.  = 22/120
Mer.   = 27/140
Mid.   = 52/640
Nor.   = 25/164
Out.   = 26/214
Tri.   = 46/237
West   = 14/70
Unk.   = 2

The gist

These comments were sent in response to Question 11.

Why most people like Del Tin blades — they're closer to the real thing in feel, weight, balance, appearance, etc.

Why some people don't like 'em — too heavy, too wobbly.

The comments

 

Note: Any remarks in the comments below from Yves look like this.

Jump to: Neutral/Mixed comments, Unfavorable comments

 

For more comments and stats, see the links at the bottom of this page.

FAVORABLE

 

Æthelmearc

Φ Like my Del Tin..just need more practice with it.
Φ Closer yet to rapier simulators. Things are still improving.  ``Christian

Φ Del Tin due to it's balance and manuverability in the hand.

Φ You will have to pry my Del Tin out of my cold, dead hand (for real).  ``Michael

Φ My favorite weopen is my [spouse's] del tin. It has the weight and feel of the rapier but takes less filing and maintaince than my don's zamorano.

Φ I have handled the earlier Del Tin practice rapiers. I did not enjoy them. I found them to be wobbly in feel and to a balance that did not suite my style. Brian has worked wonders in improving this. I had the chance to handle some of the newer versions at Pennsic XXXII and was greatly impressed.  ``Corwin

Brian works at Darkwood Armory.

Read more comments on Darkwood Armory. (Q 13,14).

An Tir

Φ Del Tin. Perfect flex.
Φ Del Tin love it feel and weight.
Φ Del Tin - good weight and construction.

Φ Del Tin - like best - best handling overall.
Φ Del tins were originally too whippy. Better now.  ``Ramon
Φ Del tin, handling, availability, historical accuracy.

Φ Del Tin all the way baby, its the closest thing to a real blade.
Φ Deltin...most realistic (best "flow")...have to buy a new one...  ``Gwydion

Φ The Del Tin is a good strong flexiblr blade with an attractive cross section.

Φ My favorite is the Del Tin Bated Rapier. Second favorite Del Tin Practice Rapier.  ``Dormouse

Φ Del Tin (my current blade) has been my favorite, and also the closest in weight and balance to the actual period rapiers I have used.  ``Tomas

Ansteorra

Φ Del tin I like because it feels right.  ``Pieter
Φ I prefer the Del Tin, for weight and feel.

Φ Del Tins are the most "cool" and realistic.
Φ Del Tin, closest to what I consider to be real.

Φ I like Del Tins because they handle more like real period rapiers.  ``Doré

Φ DelTin and other such blades are better for the recreation sport we do now.  ``Claire

Φ The Del Tin is my preferered weapon because it has a better balance and feel as a weapon simulator than the others mentioned.  ``Lionardo

Φ The DelTin Practce Rapier and Bated Rapier are my preferred practice weapons. They simulate a real rapier better that any other simulator out there while still retaining enough flex to be safe.  ``Aeron

Artemisia

Φ Like the Del Tin's I have fenced with - they just have a really good "feel" to them when i use them (Balance, flecibility, etc.)

Atenveldt

Φ Bated Del Tins- best.  ``Senan

Φ Del Tin baited. Itis most like a thrust oriented rapier that is availible.

Φ The bated Del Tin blade is the closest to a real rapier blade that is available while retaining the flexibility requirements and so I now use that exclusively.  ``John Patrick

Φ Del Tins are the best simulators that we currently have. The practice rapier is good, but the bated version is a better simulator for thrust oriented rapier combat. ... All of the Del Tins seem to wear better than the other blades available.

Atlantia

Φ Love my del tin just feel so comfortable.
Φ Love the Del Tin. Big, pretty, and strong.

Φ Like - Because the resemble actual rapier blades more than their counter parts.

Caid

Φ I prefer the feel of the Del Tin blades.
Φ Like DelTin, it has a very natural feel to it.

Φ i like del tins ... they just suit my style and feel really good.

Φ Like: Del Tin, First of the heavy rapiers, MK IIs better than originals.

Φ I love my bated Del Tin, which is closer to a period weight and width.  ``Felinah

Φ I really like my Del Tins. I have several and do loan them out to my students.  ``Kelan

Φ I've always prefered using my Del Tin. For handling, control, and feel it rates the highest.  ``John James

Φ Love the Del Tin blades. They feel real, not whippy like Zams or Hanweis I've gone against.

Φ I prefer the more accurate simulators, such as the Del Tin. They are more apt to work like a rapier should and encourage period attacks and form.

Φ I have found Deltin blades to be the best so far. My style rotates around strength and binding maneuvers; the rigidity of the Deltin and the long life of the blade have made it an essential among my weapons.  ``Tora

Drachenwald

Φ Like: del tin ... superb balance and feel.  ``Gerhardt
Φ I like Del Tin best its a good balanced blade.
Φ Like: Del Tin (Expensive, admittedly, but better simulator).
Φ Like DelTin, beauitiful swords and not too heavy to handle.

Φ Del Tin - my favorite ... because it looks good and the fights are more fun.

Φ Fave is prob. the 25mm wide practice Del Tin. Looks like a rapier blade and has good flex. ``Cernac

Φ I ADORE my Del Tins. They just feel "right". Very much like the period rapiers I've handled.  ``Muirghein

Φ I really like the Del Tin, they are soft enough that I don't have to fear hurting my opponent and the shape / weight is period enough to practise historic techniques.

Ealdormere

Φ Del Tin - Love them. Pretty, nice balance, excellent quality and flexibility.

Φ Del tin, even better, the del bated blade. I like more period looking swords, less modern swords.

East

Φ Del Tin is the best ... handles most like the real thing.

Φ DelTin #1, weight and durability...makes period moves more understandable...  ``Alain

Φ Del Tin FISAS practice rapier triangular cross section. Firm on the engagement.  ``Armand

Φ I am also very fond of my DelTin. My old 40 inch schlager (one of the original ones in the EAST) was a noodle.  ``Griffith

Φ The 32" Del Tin's, because the closest resemble what a cutlass would have been and match my persona of a sailor.  ``Pascual

Φ I like the 32" DelTin practice shortsword, they are a hoot to play with. A bit wanting in the reach deaprtment, tho. :)  ``Ian

Φ I LOVE my DelTin - its length and weight make it a much better simulator of the typical weapons of the period we study.

Lochac

Φ Del Tin for preference - The blades give me the closest possible feel to a period weapon while remaining safe.  ``Dameon

Φ ... my teacher's many deltins are heavier and slower than the schlager, but are still nice. My Don's mark 2 in a spiral port hilt is amazingly light and fast, while still being fantastically real and definite in it's parrying and movement.  ``Gregory

Meridies

Φ Del Tin has a good profile and is more rigid.

Φ Deltins and heavier- like, opposite of [foils not being even remotely close to rapier combat] ...duh.

Φ I like the mark II deltins because the weight and blade feel right.  ``Leon

Midrealm

Φ Del Tin - period appearance.  ``Gilebert
Φ Del Tin - closest to a real blade.

Φ Would like to try Del Tin someday.  ``Kriemhilt
Φ Del Tin - Looks period. Handles well.  ``Maximilian

Φ Del Tin, 'cuz like, duh! It's patterned off of a real rapier.

Φ Del Tin Bated Rapier is my favorite. Its the closest approximation of a true rapier blade that I can find.

Φ Del Tins that I have played with, practice and bated, are superb swords and for the style I'm taught they work fantastically. They are a charm to use and look at.

Northshield

Φ Del Tin looks the best.

Outlands

Φ ... I tend towards a Del Tin. :)  ``Charles
Φ DEL TIN (love the feel and the response!)  ``Antoine

Φ Del tin is the bes balance, and stiffness, and durability.

Φ Del Tin I like a lot because they are closer to actual rapiers. Del Tin is the best.

Φ I prefer the Del-Tin over the other blades, it acts like how I believe a rapier should feal and it allows period rapier manuals to be studied as they were used in the past.

Trimaris

Φ I love them all. Each has its strengths. The Del Tin, however, is a step above for me.

West

Φ del din love it against sword and dagger, love sword and dagger against del tin ... funny huh. [Sounds like a good idea for an article.]

Φ I like the deltin as it replicates a true rapier even though most practice rapiers are heavier than actual rapiers I have handled.

Plus generic favorable comments from: AEthelmarc 1, Ansteorra 2, An Tir 1, Artemisia 1, Atenveldt 1, Atlantia 1, Caid 1, East 2, Meridies 3, Midrealm 2, Lochac 1, Outlands 2, and the West 1.

NEUTRAL/MIXED

Φ An Tir ~ No problems with del tin blades.  ``Argan

Φ An Tir ~ I love how the Del Tins look, but the weight does nasty things to my shoulders.  ``Gabrielle

Φ Aten. ~ Del Tin is better than schlager but still too much "wubba-wubba".  ``Egan

Φ Eald. ~ Del Tin: Nice weapons, but a bit too floppy.  ``Sebastian

Φ Mid. ~ The del tin is great overall, but longer than I prefer which affects my interest (40" vs 36").  ``Kyrstyan

Φ Mid. ~ I am very pleased with the Del Tin Bated Rapier that I have. The balance and handling characteristics are much more like a real rapier. The Del Tin Practice rapier is also better than the schlager, but is more flexible than I really like.  ``Toshikage

Φ Nor. ~ I played only once with a Del Tin, it was ok, but give me Schlager any day.  ``Gabrielle

Φ West ~ I love the Del Tin blades. I just wish that they were more consistent in stiffness from blade to blade. Some are too stiff, some are not. You don't know what you're going to get until you've got it.

UNFAVORABLE

Φ AEth. ~ I find people tend to hit rather hard with del tins.  ``Parion

Φ An Tir ~ Hate it.
Φ An Tir ~ Over ratred.

Φ Atl. ~ DelTin's I've use have all been floopy.
Φ Atl. ~ My Del Tin has so much wobble that it has a mind of its own.

Φ Atl. ~ Still a little leary of the Del Tin, as the extra weight can make it a little harder to control force.  ``Jean Claude

Φ Mid. ~ Dislike = Del Tin. Too whippy.
Φ Mid. ~ I've seen the Del Tins, they're just way heavy for me.  ``Catalin

Φ Out. ~ They suck.  ``Doring

Φ Out. ~ Didn't much care for the Del Tin. It was extremely point heavy and whippy. The 42" reach also made me uncomfortable for accurate blow calling.  ``Rivka

 

More pages of blade comments

Epée and Foil . Fiberglass . Hanwei . Schläger . Zamorano

Heavy blades . Miscellaneous comments

 

Question 9
Weapon forms
Question 12
"Anchorage"

 

 

 

Your feedback is most welcome!

 

My nifty email form stopped working ... but you can still send me email if you would like to.

Original page posted: October 18, 2004. Last tweaked: July 1, 2006.

The address for this page is [ www.therotunda.net/rapier/survey-1/q11-del_tin.shtml ]
 
Nothing on my Web site is the official publication of anyone else. Unauthorized use for profit is not permitted.