3 ringed Rapier

by Doug Capener
(Seattle, Wa)

I just received my 1st online sword today. (3-3-08)

It is the 3 ringed rapier with bone handle from Windlass Steelcrafts. Had I known about the "issues" with Windlass, I wouldn't have bought this particular sword. Although it looks really nice and feels really nice in your hand, it definately has that overly whippy problem once you start to use it in a fencing manner. I mean it is almost ridiculously whippy. I seriously doubt if an actual rapier from the old days was anything close to this. Of course I'm not sure about that...(being somewhat of a newbie), maybe rapiers are supposed to be so whippy?....naah, I doubt it. The other thing was that the very tip was bent to a right angle. It was about 1/16th of an inch. I took some needle nose and re-bent it back to straight and then filed it to perfection, but it shouldn't have arrived like that (imo). It was shipped in the scabbard so it must have been that way before it was shipped, since there was no markings or damage to the scabbard. Lemme sum up....too whippy to actually use in fencing, don't waste your $$ unless you just want a wall hanger. It does look extremely good on the wall, I have to say that.

Next 2 swords are by Gen 2, so I can't wait for the "REAL DEAL"!