GeoffreytheSinged
Novice
Posts:7
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| 07/30/2006 6:16 AM |
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Greetings to the community. As I look to upgrade my kit a bit, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on specific weapons/armories that are reasonably priced? Personally I'm looking for something in a spanish cut hilt, but any suggestions would help. Thanks.
Geoffrey the Singed
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SimonFencer
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Posts:132
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| 07/30/2006 8:56 AM |
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Define "reasonably priced".
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Paul Franklin
in the SCA: Simon Valdez, AoA, cadet to Mouse
Around the triple W: Simonfencer |
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Alvarro
Too many posts...
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| 07/30/2006 10:06 AM |
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The new hanwei "practical" cup hilt rapier is beautiful, and the same price as the other rapiers in the line. It features a new blade which really addresses all the issues with the previous hanwei practical blades. It's thicker, stiffer, and looks more like a real blade. Handles beautifully.
Personally I dislike cup-hilts, but I'll be buying one of these.
Note that the blade hasn't been officially approved yet, as far as I can tell. You'll have to take a chance that it will be...
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Prudence. Temperance. Fortitude. Justice. |
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GeoffreytheSinged
Novice
Posts:7
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| 07/30/2006 1:31 PM |
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As in, "Won't have to refinance the house". >$300 is a good starting place.
Geoffrey
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SimonFencer
Provost
Posts:132
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| 07/30/2006 2:51 PM |
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Are you sure you mean > and not
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Paul Franklin
in the SCA: Simon Valdez, AoA, cadet to Mouse
Around the triple W: Simonfencer |
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SimonFencer
Provost
Posts:132
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| 07/30/2006 2:54 PM |
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To continue my post that got eaten by cyberspace.
What I meant to type was: Are you sure you mean > and not
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Paul Franklin
in the SCA: Simon Valdez, AoA, cadet to Mouse
Around the triple W: Simonfencer |
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GeoffreytheSinged
Novice
Posts:7
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| 07/30/2006 6:04 PM |
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Let's try.. around $300.
Sorry for the confusion.
Geoffrey the Singed
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Dormouse
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Posts:113
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| 07/30/2006 7:20 PM |
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Always check out Darkwood Armory.
Scott has reasonable prices and for my money has the best bang for the buck.
He stands behind his work and stays pretty close to his lead time. Unless what you're after happens to be in stock (But he doesn't usually have much in stock.).
I can't say enough good things about Darkwood.
And no unfortunately I don't get a commission for recommending Darkwood (Darn it...)
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I humble myself before God, and there the list ends.
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juan_guthrie
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Posts:102
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| 07/30/2006 7:37 PM |
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| I'd second what Dormouse said. I got my rapier from Darkwood when I went to Pennsic a few years back and it has been great. I replaced the hilt, but that is all I have wanted to do to it. |
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SimonFencer
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Posts:132
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| 07/31/2006 7:26 AM |
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I tried to enter basically what Craig said, but 3 attempts got what you see above...oh well.
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Paul Franklin
in the SCA: Simon Valdez, AoA, cadet to Mouse
Around the triple W: Simonfencer |
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Mat
Provost
Posts:123
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| 07/31/2006 1:14 PM |
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While I don't own anything from darkwood, his work is amazing. http://www.darkwoodarmory.com/
If you're looking for a starter rapier, you might try his economy line! All his guards are pretty much interchangable with hanwei's, del tins and darkwood blades, so if your blade ever does gives out or you decide to upgrade blades, with the exception of an angus trim blade, you shouldn't have to get a new guard. Likewise, should you decide to upgrade guards, it should fit your new blade.
The cheapest route, and the most annoying, is if you buy a bare blade and can find somebody to make you a guard for it. Additionally, if you've got the skills to make a guard, all the better!
The thing to remember is, you get what you pay for. 
Another popular alternative is James The Just, http://jamesthejust.tripod.com/
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Git-r-dun! |
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Mughain
The Meepiest!
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| 07/31/2006 2:22 PM |
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Actually, Angus (Gus) Trim had been (and I believe still is) making a narrower profile tang available, specifically to work with at least Darkwood Armory's opening specs.
www.angustrimdirect.com
You would want to email Gus directly for clarification, though I will ask him tonight if he comes into OWMA for his usual visit.
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HL Mughain inghean Donnghaille
Cheryl Glover
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jgreywolf
Hai Gioco?
Posts:685
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| 07/31/2006 3:48 PM |
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| I do not believe that Gus is making these... |
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Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega)
Director
Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest |
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Guillemin
Provost
Posts:120
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| 07/31/2006 9:32 PM |
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| Here's my suggestion. Go to Pennsic. Find people who have spent all their money on booze and nice things. Buy their cool blades for gas money so they can get home. Course, most trips to Pennsic cost more than $300, which just makes my suggestion stupid, but I've learned to be comfortable with that. |
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Guillemin de Rouen
Cadet to Raoul Delaroche
Rapier Champion of Avacal |
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GeoffreytheSinged
Novice
Posts:7
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| 07/31/2006 11:42 PM |
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Thank you for the wonderful suggestions. I've been talking with a local smith who's willing to work with me on guards. I think I'll just end up picking up some new blades for now. Hopefully I'll have everything ready to show off for 12th Night.
Geoffrey the Singed
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Mat
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Posts:123
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| 08/01/2006 1:32 AM |
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Awesome! Lookin forward too seeing it when it's done!
Just some tips I've learned through trial and error for the different parts!
On the guard, try and get the blade countersunk into the quillions, or use a block to keep the blade in line with the quillions. Trust me when I say this: there's nothing more annoying than having your blade spin or twist out of line with your guard! Plus, aesthetically it looks better.
Handles are easy enough to make, sledge hammer or axe handles make for a good starting point; they carve easy enough. Just drill a hole through it, then widen as needed to fit the tang and carve the outside to size!
I still haven't got pommel making down to an art though. I'm waiting on an inch and a half stainless ball bearing (that was fun to track down!) to convert into a pommel. I don't know how to tap threads, but I know someone that does know how too measure threads and tap holes. I've been wanting to learn how to tap a hole, so this'll be a first! I've seen it done, but never looked into it before. |
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Git-r-dun! |
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Samauel
Free Scholar
Posts:58
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| 08/08/2006 11:51 PM |
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| Gus was at practice, and he has a batch of blades that he is working on now, but they are all spoken for. If you get a new Gus blade, Scott can hilt it for you, as he has the standard pattern for them. I asked Gus about new blades and he said it may be 8 weeks out.
FYI. Start saving now. 200+ range, but you'll need ask Gus. |
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