iPirate Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I know rapiers were a bit long for using on a ship, I gather they'd easily get tangled in the lines and rigging. But... I happen to love my rapier and how it moves in my hand. Is a rapier an unreasonable weapon for a pirate to carry? Time flies when you're having rum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 well, lets start at the beginning. is this a general question or are you planning on dressing out and wearing it. In general, it could be used but not high on the practical aboard ship front. Too thin to be used against cutlass' and long enough to get fowled in the rigging. Personal use... are you going period correct (PC) or doing your own thing (hollywood, renfaire, good immagination etc..) PC- Nope. Your own thing- yup. A word of caution though, they are long and get in the way in a crowd, especially a drunk crowd. The tip, amazingly enough, sits at kids eye level no matter how tall or old the kid. Situational awareness mate. Oh, a lot of events will not allow you to carry edges without a sheath- plan ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stMate Matt Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I have heard of sailers using rapiers with shortend blades. I have also seen rapier hilts remounted with saber blades. Often you find re-mounted rapiers with all sorts of blades. I would say that is it historicaly feezable, but many would disagree with me. -1st Mate of Pirates Magazine -Bladesmith/Owner of That Works Studio http://youtube.com/thatworks thatworks.shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Oh Aye.... I've been looking fer someone to put a shortened cutless blade on my favorite bronze rapier hilt (Custom from Lundgarrd Armory) but have not found anyone I trust enough yet since my wonderful Lars is not producing at the moment. It is precious to me!... (Why does that sound familiar??) Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPirate Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 I've had passing thoughts of having my rapier shortened to more of small sword size but... it's such a beautiful thing now that I'm loathe to do anything to it. It's the "classical" rapier from Windlass which I believe is no longer produced or sold. At least Museum Replicas doesn't carry it anymore. Time flies when you're having rum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Brand Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Unreasonable? I could go several directions with this question, but I'll just say this. If you prefer a thin, long blade as a weapon of choice, I would recommend the period smallsword. If the cost of additional weaponry is outside of your budget at present, wear the rapier with pride. We sometimes delve into the semantics of kit to the point of strong, contrasting opinions of right and wrong. There were thousands of pirates. One of them may have carried a rapier. Certainly it never would have been common. Certainly a shorter blade is more practical for obvious reasons, but as you already own one, don't fret over the matter too much. Better to consider additional arms such as a good musket then to worry too much about the blade you already own. Of course if you're playing a Captain of even modest means, you could have several weapons of choice. You might even have a few modified weapons as 1stMate Matt suggests. Okay, played both sides of the fence and I'm now rambling... ...somebody stop me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 ...somebody stop me. Poke poke poke wit me cutlass.... I posted inna nother thread alla bout my re-worked hanger-to cutlass.... I like using "the Point" of a sword.... fencing, rapier work (SCA combat).... but a cutlass (well mine) is straight enough that it would work... but it has enough mass to deflect a blade..... (and I have long arms...) But the funny part of the argument, .... Hey... I never really poke people with my cutlass.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stMate Matt Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Oh Aye....I've been looking fer someone to put a shortened cutless blade on my favorite bronze rapier hilt (Custom from Lundgarrd Armory) but have not found anyone I trust enough yet since my wonderful Lars is not producing at the moment. It is precious to me!... (Why does that sound familiar??) Hey I have worked with Lars plenty in the past and I know his work well. I would be happy to remount your sword with a cutlass blade. I could even work with Lars on it if needed. -1st Mate of Pirates Magazine -Bladesmith/Owner of That Works Studio http://youtube.com/thatworks thatworks.shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Really?? Wow! Cool!... Now I'm not sure which to have adjusted... I love m'Rose and Thorne but I think this Sea Dragon may look more Pyratey... What do you think?? The grip was always a little long fer me but it's the curse of the magnificent hilt cage! Thoughts? Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stMate Matt Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Any idea on how they are mounted? Can you take them apart or are they welded to the blade? -1st Mate of Pirates Magazine -Bladesmith/Owner of That Works Studio http://youtube.com/thatworks thatworks.shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Any idea on how they are mounted? Can you take them apart or are they welded to the blade? They are both threaded tangs... Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stMate Matt Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Sweet! I can do anything you want with them then. You pick. They both should be doable. Even if I have to make a special cutlass blade to fit. -1st Mate of Pirates Magazine -Bladesmith/Owner of That Works Studio http://youtube.com/thatworks thatworks.shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stMate Matt Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 BTW I blieve in most cases Capt Hook is said to carry and Cup Hilt rapier... Just a thought. -1st Mate of Pirates Magazine -Bladesmith/Owner of That Works Studio http://youtube.com/thatworks thatworks.shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Well... I DO Love me Sea Dragon hilt... The pommel is a claw holding a labradorite. And you can post pictures of yer progress here. Sweet! Send me yer mailing address in a PM? Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPirate Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Sweet! I can do anything you want with them then. You pick. They both should be doable. Even if I have to make a special cutlass blade to fit. *nods nods* thanks for all the imput. I think I'll stick with my rapier for now, until I have a few extra copper to spend on a new blade. Time flies when you're having rum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jib Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Really??Wow! Cool!... Now I'm not sure which to have adjusted... I love m'Rose and Thorne but I think this Sea Dragon may look more Pyratey... What do you think?? The grip was always a little long fer me but it's the curse of the magnificent hilt cage! Thoughts? I think I like the weapons in the background behind the rapier. Those could disarm me anytime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I think I like the weapons in the background behind the rapier. Yer not talkin' 'bout her bodice dagger are you?..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theM.A.dDogge Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 dang...ther's a dagger in there!?!? ...ya got a better angle than i....but i'll keep a lookin..... and lookin..... ...an lookin..... .... ........an lookin..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Now, you mates are WAY too easily entertained! ROTDLMAO!!! Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPirate Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Now, you mates are WAY too easily entertained! ROTDLMAO!!! You have no idea what even the mere suggestion of a female bossom does to a male psyche. And that, right there, is quite a bit more than a mere suggestion. Time flies when you're having rum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [ You have no idea what even the mere suggestion of a female bossom does to a male psyche. HA!!!! Say's you! (They be two of me favorite weapons!) Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPirate Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 [You have no idea what even the mere suggestion of a female bossom does to a male psyche. HA!!!! Say's you! (They be two of me favorite weapons!) I woud think it's safe to say they are the favorite weapons of most of us my how this thread has evolved Time flies when you're having rum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asolfr Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Oh Aye.... I've been looking fer someone to put a shortened cutless blade on my favorite bronze rapier hilt (Custom from Lundgarrd Armory) but have not found anyone I trust enough yet since my wonderful Lars is not producing at the moment. It is precious to me!... (Why does that sound familiar??) As a rapier Fighter the sight of such a beautiful weapon send chills through me, You are a very lucky Asolfr Captain of the Blacktyde Purveyor of Asolfr's Workshoppe "If I don't have it, i'll find it If I can't find it, i'll make it If I can't make it, I'll steal it" So says Asolfr the Pirate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Bess Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 It is precious to me!... (Why does that sound familiar??) As a rapier Fighter the sight of such a beautiful weapon send chills through me, You are a very lucky Oh lad... Luck had NOTHING whatsoever to do with it! Lars is a true master and the hilt was measured and crafted to me hand like a glove. 'Twas adorned and polished and weighted for my arm and grip and it cost a Fair coin in the bargan. If someone had GIFTED it to me... then I would say you Aye, Lucky indeed! However... in point of fact that it was not I will say I earned every bit of it! But you're compliment is appreciated nonetheless... Well, you may not realize it but your looking at the remains of what was once a very handsome woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkyns Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 To resurrect an older post and return to the original topic- I think the question is not so much could they as would they. I've seen any number of mismatched blades and hilts in museums all over Europe and the US. They were generally built to a purpose and were one offs. The question that I would have is would a deckhand pirate have the skill to use a thin blade with virtually no edge beyond the first few inches? The rapier is a thrusting weapon and does not have the mass to parry a cutlass in a dead stop. It relies on deflection to keep the opponent's blade away. The skills used in rapier fighting come at a cost of both time and money, neither of which is something that your average deckhand or topman is going to spend for such a purpose. Much the same can be said for the smallsword. While captains might have the skill, and one or two officers, the rank and file generally did not come from the class of people accustomed to the rapier and smallsword. The most useful cutdowns and remounts that I have seen generally fall into the 15-18 inch range, long dirks and fighting knives. At that length, the blade still has enough stiffness to be able to parry with bending, and the mass of the arm wielding it is close enough to the point of impact to still be useful. Just my two guineas based on a quarter century of rapier fighting. Hawkyns Cannon add dignity to what otherwise would be merely an ugly brawl I do what I do for my own reasons. I do not require anyone to follow me. I do not require society's approval for my actions or beliefs. if I am to be judged, let me be judged in the pure light of history, not the harsh glare of modern trends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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