| Associated images can be found at | | | | the end result being the small sword or |
| I've just received a Hanwei bone handled | | | | court sword. I'm not saying that this |
| rapier and main gauche for review and | | | | blade shape is in any way unauthentic, I |
| I'm quite impressed. Model numbers | | | | just prefer a wider blade from an |
| SH1092 and SH2197. The guard is nicely | | | | earlier period. |
| formed - functional and yet elegant, as | | | | I did not test the blade for performance |
| befitting a gentleman's weapon. There | | | | but I expect it would perform quite well |
| are a couple of slight wobbles in the | | | | against a period blade. Modern blade |
| guard branches but they don't detract | | | | steel is completely different than that |
| from the overall look and feel of the | | | | of the 16th century, both in its |
| piece. As you can see from the photos | | | | manufacture and chemical composition. |
| there are a number of embellishments to | | | | Because of these differences in |
| the guard that really make it quite | | | | materials it isn't easy to compare |
| attractive. It's not over-done so the | | | | modern blades with old. An exact |
| total appearance suggests a weapon an | | | | comparison of blade thicknesses and |
| officer might have carried. | | | | hardness doesn't really tell us much, |
| The pommel is quite massive but balances | | | | because the materials have such |
| the long blade well, and the balance | | | | different specifications. I think it's |
| point is just a fingers width in front | | | | safe to say that modern steels are |
| of the pas d'âne. The blade is just | | | | tougher, more chemically consistent and |
| over 36in long which is about right for | | | | hold an edge better (using modern |
| the period. This weapon feels very quick | | | | tempering techniques) than steels of |
| in hand, somewhat due to its light | | | | several hundred years ago. Tempering |
| weight (just over 2lbs) but also its | | | | methods can also be quite different but |
| balance. The grip is generous and will | | | | modern steels can be tempered using |
| easily accommodate a gloved hand. The | | | | older differential tempering methods as |
| pas d'âne has ample space for gloved | | | | well as modern cryogenic techniques. |
| fingers and the écusson is nicely | | | | After all of this waffling I believe |
| shaped to give a good grip yet not cut | | | | this blade to be excellent steel with a |
| into your fingers. Now whether the grip | | | | good temper. |
| is historically accurate is a different | | | | The main gauche is a perfect companion |
| question. Many grips on antique swords | | | | to this rapier. The bone grip is done in |
| were large like this but some were not. | | | | the same fashion and the guard and |
| I suspect it would depend on the | | | | quillon match. The blade is nicely |
| swordsman and his preferences. I don't | | | | shaped and comes to a fine point. |
| think we can say with certainty that all | | | | Scabbards for both blades are of a |
| swordsmen used gloves. The grip on this | | | | composite material covered with leather. |
| particular model feels good with, or | | | | They are done quite nicely and match the |
| without, a glove. | | | | blades well. |
| The bone handle is very attractive. This | | | | Blades for both weapons come unsharpened |
| is not my first choice for a handle | | | | but could easily be with a few strokes |
| material because I've seen a number of | | | | of a stone. Sharpening isn't something I |
| old knives and swords with very loose | | | | recommend since a sharp sword is much |
| bone or antler handles, but this grip is | | | | more dangerous than most people think. |
| a little different. You can see in some | | | | I've heard of a number of accidents with |
| of the photos a small bone spacer on | | | | sharp blades. When most people pick up a |
| either end of the bone grip. I presume | | | | sword they expect it to be the garden |
| this acts to strengthen the ends of the | | | | variety you would find at the mall, and |
| bone. This is an excellent feature and | | | | they handle it with very little respect. |
| says a lot about Hanwei's commitment to | | | | Remember also that rapiers weren't |
| producing 'the real thing' rather than | | | | designed as cutting weapons. They |
| wall hangers. This sword can be ordered | | | | depended on a lethal thrust. A sharpened |
| with a practical fencing blade so they | | | | blade was meant to discourage grabbing |
| have thought about its use in practice. | | | | and trapping of the blade. |
| The blade is nicely done but I would | | | | In conclusion Hanwei's bone handled |
| have liked to see it wider and a little | | | | rapier and main gauche are a good pair |
| stiffer. Rapiers came with a wide | | | | and excellent value. These are |
| assortment of blade shapes, the single | | | | functional weapons and I believe that a |
| similar factor being their longer | | | | period gentleman would have been proud |
| length. Earlier rapiers had wider blades | | | | to own and use them. |
| and over time they became thinner with | | | | |