Can a RAPIER Actually CUT?! The results were SHOCKING!

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#rapier #sword

[SergioLeonardoCornejo]

People tend to underestimate and misunderstand rapiers.

[FortuneFavoursTheBold]

Shad, you are bang on when you figured out the reason the cuts on light targets like pool noodles went well is because of the tip speed of a long blade (lots of rapiers can have even 43"-50" blades). One thing the caused this particular rapier to be difficult to control is that almost all Windlass swords (except for the Royal Armouries Collection line) have minimal (therefore incorrect) distal taper. This rapier's blade starts at 4.7mm (you can measure yours) and ends at 3.3mm near the tip. That is very little distal taper and the thickness is completely wrong, which cause the blade to flex in the wrong way, and rotates in a vastly different way than historical rapiers.

I have detailed measurements of rapiers made from the 16th century all the way to the 19th century and they all have very strong thickness at the base, at least 7-8mm and tapers down to 3-4mm. The majority of them have 9-11mm at the base, and that's twice the amount of the rapier you have here. Think of the difference in terms of mass distribution here. This style of rapier doesn't have a ton of profile taper like medieval arming swords, so distal taper is everything it needs to make the blade fast and maneuverable.

This Windlass model doesn't do the blade right, so it has to increase the hilt weight to balance it out, so even though the point of balance is in the roughly right place, the blade doesn't behave anywhere near the way historical rapiers do. To experience historical accurate rapiers' handling, other than purchasing antiques, the best option is to get the several new rapier models by LK Chen, who has their liaisons measure the dimensions on 16-18th century originals an accurately reproduces them. The difference with Windlass models would be literal Night and Day.

In addition, Windlass made their swords with edges 2mm thick, when someone sharpen that thick "edge" from a narrow blade, they naturally create a "lenticular" geometry with very big angles and a shoulder between the primary and secondary bevel. This impedes the cutting performance a lot. Let's not start mentioning the hot spots on the hilt. Odds are stacked against you to performance well with this inadequate model.

[gattzflappa]

I think the people who think a rapier can't cut are confusing it with the Estoc, which looks a bit like a rapier but has no edge, and is strictly a piercing weapon.

[Kal_g]

I've always loved the handle/hilt designs on a rapier. It just looks so different.

[kurtixwarlord]

Spanish rapier fencing, the "Destreza" (Dexterity) usses a lot of cuts compared to itallian or french fencing, and its very fun to see people who are not particulary used to that getting to know how much of a real threat it can be.

[colvyre]

yup, Nate's the rogue. He figured out that rapier pretty quickly.

[straightjacket]

The rapier is starting to look like the Chad of the sword world! I think I know what my next purchase is! Tyranth is looking ELEGANT with that demonstration!!!

[JECRAWFH]

....could a longsword _ever_ beat a Rapier? ...or is it simply the next evolution of sword??

[JeremyCulbreath]

Been fighting with rapiers for almost 2 decades. People vastly underestimate what they can do, especially in the hands of a trained swordsperson. That being said, that particular rapier is honestly a marginal (though functional) example. There are craftspeople who do phenomenal work for surprisingly low cost. I would be happy to loan you a few (if you pay insurance and shipping) or put you in contact with some amazing weaponsmiths that I'm sure would love to be featured in future videos.

[Treadhead]

A rapier was the first and so far only blade I got (a gift from my dad, we used to do sparring in the garden). I love that thing. It's interesting to see you guys mention the "pistol grip". As that is the method of holding that I just went with when I started and that felt comfortable and controllable. Makes my amateur little beehind feel kinda clever. Can't wait to see more rapier content.

[jegsdinogod]

Rapier is a very whip like sword if you think about it, the tip has leverage greater than the hand using it. It's basically RPM in sword form.

[ThatCapnGeech]

I’ve always thought that rapiers require a bit of a wrist flick on cuts to really speed up that blade tip through whatever material you’re trying to cut. 7:37

[kamchatmonk]

That baffled look that Shad gave the rapier at 8:12 is absolutely priceless, I genuinely laughed out loud)

[kidxpacpac]

Tyranth is so excitable and cute when he figures it out. Excited to see how far they can push this

[LairdErnst]

Love seeing you guys nerd out over a new sword! Glad y’all had fun with this one!

[ShikiRen]

I still find it hilarious that in some games, not to name any (*cough*Elden Ring*cough*) the Rapier has a pure thrusting moveset... but then an estoc has a heavy attack that is a cut. Like... what? (I do love me some rapiers and estocs, they're neat.)

[diononeofyourbusiness]

People think of the rapier as the sleek and elegant weapon of a refined time, when in reality it is a brutally savage instrument of gore and murder.

[OffToBattle]

Between this and your later video which I ended up watching to completion first, I hugely appreciate your taking the time and opening the proverbial horse's mouth and giving us a real look at this sword. It's so useful to know about, for instance, the blade's thickness, because the first thing people think (and spread) is that the blade is thin. Narrow and thin aren't the same thing obviously. Now I see how the rapier fits in the evolution of thrusting swords... though it's nice to be able to cut in a pinch too!

[UndoubtablySo]

Fighters were discouraged from cutting with thin rapiers to prevent bends and breaks, aside from that any sharpened piece of steel at velocity will deliver severe lacerations

[Merisu_Sheep]

This video is really great for me cause I have one character from my book series that will use this blade. So the better I know about it is awesome.