SolarCross wrote:It is not a battlefield weapon though. It is optimal only for one on one duels between unarmoured opponents who are not taking anything longer than a rapier which is a pretty special case. You are over selling it a bit.
Thats fair,
but the OP is about dueling, not a return to medieval warfare.
SolarCross wrote:Armour also changes the dynamics of reach a bit because the more armoured up you are the more hits you can tank without damage while closing the distance, once distance is closed then reach advantages become disadvantages.
Well, part of the reason armored conflict ended, besides the long-bow, was because the methodology of using the point instead of the blade-edge came to make armor superfluous.
Hell, even the method of using long-swords evolved into rapier-like point-use emphasis.
It was inevitable, for cutting strikes, especially with two-handed weapons, almost always allow for exposure and any armor that allows for movement MUST have areas of vulnerability for a pointed thrust.
As an aside; I would also encourage anyone to check out rapiers vs. sabres, and even rapiers or sabres v. kitanas on youtube.
Besides the Rapier being the better performer in general (assuming a skilled swordsman), Japanese swordsmanship was never that impressive to Europeans, its all WEEBO hype, their craftsmanship was respected and there is record of some good reviews by British officers, but
generally europeans were far more intrigued by Japanese hand-to-hand techniques, not so much with their sword-fighting.
I think the
Schola Gladitoria video is spot-on and I also say this from my experience of sparring against long-swords and sabres with my rapier.
SolarCross wrote:Very nice, very nice indeed.
This rapier is a battle-ready functional replica of an actual English Rapier that is housed in the Royal Armouries (formerly the Tower of London).