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