Strange flamboyant blade rapier on ebay

fearn · 13th November 2008, 05:37 PM

Gentlemen,

I really have to question whether it was functional. If you go back and look at the first picture posted, several things become apparent.

1. It's currently blunt

2. More importantly, the tip, because of the undulations, is not in line with the hilt or blade.

3. It's narrow,

4. It undulates widely,

5. It's thickest at the base, and thins towards the tip.

Now, basically a sword can chop, slice, or stab.

Can this one chop? Very badly. it's narrow, and it becomes smaller towards the tip. A good chopper would be wide and get wider towards the tip.

Can this one slice? A bit, but those waves are so big they'd probably decrease blade contact with the target (unlike, say, a saw). A good cutter would have a shape that brought a lot of edge into contact with the target.

Can it stab? Not well, because the tip's blunt, and even if the tip was sharp, it's not in a great line with the rest of the blade, Also, if you did stab someone, you'd have to push all those undulations (backed by air, not steel) into the wound. And pull them back out again.

Also, it's 51.5 inches in length, with a 41 inch blade, and it appears to be designed for single-handed use.

No, I can't agree that this was designed as a functional weapon. It's for display. Granted, it is sharp, but I'd hate to go into any fight with this thing.

F

13th November 2008, 05:37 PM	#22
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Gentlemen, I really have to question whether it was functional. If you go back and look at the first picture posted, several things become apparent. 1. It's currently blunt 2. More importantly, the tip, because of the undulations, is not in line with the hilt or blade. 3. It's narrow, 4. It undulates widely, 5. It's thickest at the base, and thins towards the tip. Now, basically a sword can chop, slice, or stab. Can this one chop? Very badly. it's narrow, and it becomes smaller towards the tip. A good chopper would be wide and get wider towards the tip. Can this one slice? A bit, but those waves are so big they'd probably decrease blade contact with the target (unlike, say, a saw). A good cutter would have a shape that brought a lot of edge into contact with the target. Can it stab? Not well, because the tip's blunt, and even if the tip was sharp, it's not in a great line with the rest of the blade, Also, if you did stab someone, you'd have to push all those undulations (backed by air, not steel) into the wound. And pull them back out again. Also, it's 51.5 inches in length, with a 41 inch blade, and it appears to be designed for single-handed use. No, I can't agree that this was designed as a functional weapon. It's for display. Granted, it is sharp, but I'd hate to go into any fight with this thing. F