Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.

	Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ “Heavy” blades
	Updated: May 24, 2005

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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.

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# 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 the heavier blades for SCA rapier — they're more authentic than the lighter blades.

Why some people, mainly in kingdoms that still use epee, don't — too heavy.

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

Several people said they like the "heavier" blades.
 

Æthelmearc

Φ I prefer heavy rapier to light simply because it is a more authentic rapier simulator.  ``Miguel

An Tir

Φ Schlager & DelTins are fun, but I prefer the balance of a schlager.  ``Laurin

Φ Like the heavier blades as they permit a more period looking form of combat.

Φ Most of the steel ones that recreate a close approximation of the weight and feel of the rapier.

Φ My next purchase is likely to be either a Hanwei or Zamorano, or Del Tin, depending on cost and availability.  ``Allyne

Φ The new heavy rapiers (Angus Trim, TCA, del tin) are very nice. Especially the angus trims. But they also cost the most money..  ``Ramon

Read more comments on Angus Trim, Del Tin. (Q 13,14).

Read more comments on TCA. (Q 13,14).

Ansteorra

Φ I like the realism of Heavy Rapier.  ``Jacques

Φ Schlaggers and other heavy rapiers I LOVE!  ``Henri

Φ I prefer the heavy blades, I think the game is more graceful and sensual played with the heavy blades. Perhaps it makes it more of a thinking person's game rather than a quick draw game.

Artemisia

Φ The new Del Tin and Zamorano seem to be even closer to period swords than even schalgers, and I am sure I will like them more when I have a chance to get one and use it more.

Atlantia

Φ I enjoy sclagers and Del Tins because of the visible, palpable edge.  ``Constanza

Φ Like Del Tin and Zamorano because the resemble actual rapier blades more than their counter parts.

Φ Like schlager, del tin, zamarano, tca rapier(not in your list) because they are close to historic performance of real swords.  ``Rufus

I didn't know about the TCA rapier before the survey. Oops.

Φ I tend to not like longer weapons (> 35 inches) anyway since they are more easily beaten out of line, etc. Frankly, they are too damn heavy for me to fight with for an extended period too :).  ``Gunther

Caid

Φ I looovve using heavy blades.  ``Dalen

Φ Prefer Schlager/Del Tin as they more closely approximate period blades and styles.

Φ While Schlager blades are fine, I really prefer my 40" Hanwei for the way it moves, responds and (of course) looks.  ``Colwyn

Φ I like the heavier type blades better because they have some weight behind them to get good parries/beats/binds/whatever going that an epee just doesn't have. They can be used to more tactical ends than an epee (ie luring someone's blade over) which is a much more speed-oriented weapon. Also, prettier hilts.  ``Leonarda

Ealdormere

Φ The Del Tins, Zamaranos, Triplette Rapiers, Han Wei and other heavy rapier blades are a big step in the right direction. It with these kind of blades that you can really start to see how period technique works.  ``Albrecht

East

Φ As time has progressed I have moved more to Del Tin then Schlager only because the Del Tin's I have used are heavy enough to simulate period moves, but not destroy my wrist, since I have a carpal instability in my wrists.  ``Ronan

Meridies

Φ I like schlager and the heavier blades for their period feel.

Φ Del Tin for feel (40 inch) .. Schlager (37 inch) for control, both of my blade and opponents.

Φ I prefer Del Tin, then Schlager (I haven't used Zamorano/Hanwei) because they give a truer feel of actual rapier combat. Additionally, this verisimilitude permits the use and experimentation with period styles of combat and deemphasizes modern fencing techniques.

Midrealm

Φ I like the Schlagers Del Tins and Zamoranos. Schlagers are nice to start, but I prefer the heavier blades for historical accuracy.  ``Zygmunt

Φ I like Del Tin, Scotty, and other schlagers. I have handled Zamoranos and Hanwei blades but I don't like them as well as the above blades.  ``Alexander

Φ I refuse to use anything lighter than a schlager - stage combat training included a 'what happens when swords break' lesson that I took to heart.  ``Kyrstyan

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

Northshield

Φ I like both the Schlager and the Hanwei but I perfer the Hanwei.

Φ I like schlager and my long blade. I don't like facing long blades in melees because people forget the blade in their hand is longer than average and start hitting too hard.  ``Luisa

Outlands

Φ I like schlager and other "heav" blades - more realistic, better suited to period technique.  ``Ildiko

Trimaris

Φ I like the Hanweii over a normal Schlager or an epee. However would rather use Del Tin.

NEUTRAL/MIXED

Φ AEth. ~ Schlager/del tins cause me some concern over hard hits although I do enjoy them on occasion with people I trust.

Φ Anst. ~ I like all heavy rapiers but think the extra long ones are too point heavy for my tortured wrists.

Φ Atl. ~ I have hefted a few Zamoranos that friends had, but have not had much chance to play with them. I saw the new Hanwei blades at Pennsic this year and they look like they will be pretty comparable to the Del Tins.  ``Nikolai

Φ Caid ~ I still wind up sometimes for shots and find that I hit too hard with a Del Tin or Zamorano. Am finally starting to break this bad habit, and hope to switch soon.

Φ Mer. ~ Like 40" = Del Tin .. Dislike 40" = Schlager .. 35" = no preference.

Φ Nor. ~ I don't like Schlager blades due to their rigidness. My lack of experience leads to unwanted hard hits. For the same reason, I like Hanwei blades for their greater flexibility and balance.

Φ Out. ~ Schläger (and Del Tin) are reasonably safe with a lot of training, but, unlike the others, could be used effectively to kill an unarmored person, and at least break bones in an armored person (broken or not, but especially if broken). I feel that these heavy blades are dangerous for newbies (who, by definition, have no training). "Heavy blades are safe with training" doesn't cover accidents, and even multi-million dollar sports stars have accidents. That said, I am willing to accept the risk - but will (and frequently do) argue with anyone who says there is no risk (and many do say this, since the heavy blades "can't break"). Besides, safety is an important consideration, but it does not outweigh everything else - if it did, we could not do any combat at all, and could not even go to events (except by walking on good sidewalks, staying off roads, in good weather - if your doctor says its OK). I think everything up to Del Tin is safe enough for SCA use (and I haven't used the others, so won't offer an opinion on them) - that's why safety is not a factor in my blade preference.  ``Guillaume

Φ Tri. ~ I prefer the schlager over epee. The schlager is easier for the spectaters to see and it just feels "right" to me. I have tried the Del Tin and Zamorano and find them to be a bit tip heavy for my taste.

UNFAVORABLE

Φ AEth. ~ Heavy rapiers due to cost. heavy rapiers due to injury which makes them more difficult to use, i.e. carpel tunnel (sp?).  ``Ivan

Φ Anst. ~ The Zamorano and Hanwei are 2nd class knock offs that do not handle as well [as a Del Tin blade].  ``Doré

Φ Atl. ~ I hate the long Del Tins. I like to fight close and fast. Daggers are my specialty. I find it awkward to awkward to fight with a heavier, longer weapon that slows me down.  ``Belphoebe

Φ East ~ Schlaegers are okay, but I find that I'm hampered by the extra weight, plus it is usually tip heavy. I consider Del Tins & etc. to be the same as Schlaeger. I find that price to be the most dicouraging factor in buying a new Schlaeger & etc.

Φ Nor. ~ Excessively large blades as they are simply too slow and too heavy.

Φ Tri. ~ I hate all very heavy, tip heavy blades.  ``Francis

More pages of blade comments

Del Tin . Epée and Foil . Fiberglass . Hanwei . Schläger . Zamorano

Miscellaneous comments

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

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