In watching several SCA rapier fencers lately I have noticed that their
fencing doesn’t really look like historical rapier, but more like a modified
form of foil fencing. The fencers I am referring to are tall/strong fencers
who use the shorter 35 " schlager bladed weapons. They are so light that
they can and do make foil-like parries with them in not only the high
outside line, but also in the high inside line and the low inside line\ and
rarely if ever use the off hand to parry.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the original rapiers incapable of
foil-like parries due to their length and weight?
Which is why the off hand, or a dagger or buckler was needed to parry with.

And When the rapier was used to parry, wasn’t it only used to cover the high
outside line and then as more of an attack with opposition than a foil-like
parry? And never used to parry the inside line?

In light if the lightness of 35" rapiers how do you handle these
discrepancies in rapier fencing in your organizations?
When using weapons which are so light they can be used like foils do you
allow these unhistorical moves or do you prohibit them? or do you require
everyone to use the longer 40" blades?

Thanks.

Blessings,
Rez Johnson

"Standing guard on old, forgotten roads, that no one travels anymore."
THE FENCING MASTER
by Arturo Perez

Rez Johnson, M d'A
Headmaster: Mississippi Academy of Arms (Mississippi Fencing Academy)
President: United States Traditional Fencing Association
Certified Fencing Instructor: (USTFA, TFI, AAI, USFCA)
Certified Fencing Master Apprentice: (USTFA, USFCA)
Teaching Classical Fencing and Historical Swordsmanship since 1980
Modern Sport Fencing Coach 1980 - 2002

Mississippi Academy of Arms
P.O. Box 955
Pelahatchie, MS 39145-0955

E-Mail: 1@...
Academy Website: http://MSFencing.org
USTFA Website: http://traditionalfencing.org
"Eala Earendel engla beorhtast
ofer middangeard monnum sended."
Crist of Cynewulf



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Mondschein [mailto:editor@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 10:48 AM
> To: classicalfencing@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CFML] Rapier blades.
>
>
>
> You got you about three choices, the way I sees it:
>
> Del Tin practice rapier blade: Diamond-shaped, kinda heavy.
> Del Tin FISAS rapier blade: Lighter, triangular Triplette 40"
> double-wide epee: Even lighter, a 40" epee blade with no ricasso.
>
> A number of other firms, such as Alchem, also make blades.
>
> > I know that someone has asked this in the past, but I'm about to
> > purchase and I need an update.
> >
> > Who makes the best rapier blade for use in actual bouting? I'm 6'4"
> > and need a 40" blade. The schlagers I've used in the past
> left a lot
> > to be desired, and in a 40" length are absurdly whippy. I'd like
> > something stiffer with a better balance (lighter would be
> nice as well).
> >
> > Robert Pridgen
> > Mississippi Academy of Arms
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying
> > rapier blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Ken Mondschein
> www.corporatemofo.com
>
> "O for the wings
> of any bird
> other than a battery hen"
> -Hawkwind
>
>
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> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ------~->
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now
> carrying rapier blunts and leather gorgets.
> http://www.woodenswords.com
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
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