[Deer Hunter]

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-91791456840515_2011_10240588

I've always wanted a functional rapier I could use to practice with. It's exactly what I have been looking for. I can't wait until it gets here. :)

[JShirley]

I don't think you'll know that until you handle it.

But it looks pretty good.

John

[hso]

If you have a fencing background you'll find this sword to be very heavy. That said, I have a few of them and with proper practice (where are you going to get the training?) you'll find them to be well balanced weapons.

[Deer Hunter]

I've been fencing for about a year. I've handled rapiers a bit heavier than this one. This rapier only weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces and is 43" blade. It will most likely be a little slower than a foil, I know that, but I have always wanted something like this. This was the best deal I found.

[hso]

I think you'll be happy with it.

[owen]

its going to be much much slower than a foil. you're going to find circular parries and disengages ery difficult.

[mr.trooper]

Hanwei makes decent blades. It should serve you well.

Ditto on speed. Rapiers are swords, not foils.

[Deer Hunter]

I know the speed differences. Foils are extremely fast. When fencing, I can thrust and change the direction of the blade two or three times, but I wanted something heavier to play around with.

[GunTech]

There's always the smallsword, which replaced the rapier. It's very compatible with epee technique and the weight is similar to an epee with heavy pommel and a steel bell. If you're like me, and have a titanium bell and carbon fiber grip, any reproduction weapon will seem heavy.

But I've been thinking about one of the Cold Steel smallswords myself.

http://www.trueswords.com/images/prod/c/TS-TCS88SMS_540.jpg

Get what you like and enjoy it.

[Deer Hunter]

I was looking at the cold steel stuff as well. I've owned one of their kukri's for years.

[Skofnung]

Practicing with a heavy (real) weapon will make you better at the game.

I'm into FMA. I practice with a 36" hickory stick, and when I pick up a regular rattan escrima stick it feels like nothing.

The same can be said of a real rapier and a foil. You will be stronger in the long run for picking up the heavier weapon.