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When it comes to rapier swords, finding the perfect blend of elegance, quality, and functionality can be a daunting task. The market is flooded with options, many of which are plagued by poor craftsmanship, subpar materials, and inflated prices.
Whether you’re a collector, a historical reenactor, or someone looking for a practical and stylish weapon, the challenge remains the same: how do you distinguish the best from the rest?
We have been searching through every review and feedback from people who purchased these bladed weapons, and we list some of them based on sharpness, quality, price, and other details. In this post, we will share our research to help you find some of the best practical rapiers on the market.
Real Swords
- Best Overall: Windlass – Swept Hilt Rapier
- Best for Heavy training : Sword of Combat
- Premium Choise : Sword of Hernán Cortés
- Best decorative : Espada Tyzona Española Calada
- Best for practise : 17th Century Italian Stoque
- Best Budget-Friendly : 17th Century
- Best Functional : Black Marauder
Best Rapier Swords, reviews, recommendations
Best Overall: Windlass – Swept Hilt Rapier
| Overall Length | 111 cm |
| Blade Length | 98 cm |
| Weight | 965 g |
| Blade Material | 1055 Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $ 321 |
Pros
- Fully functional
- Affordable
- Good flexibility
Cons
- The grip may not be the most comfortable.
- The hilt may not provide adequate protection against thrusts.
A good rapier is a fully functional weapon made with quality materials without flaws or defects. This swept-hilt rapier by Windlass accomplishes those tasks.
This sword features an alloy steel blade with a diamond cross section. It weighs around 965 grams without the scabbard, which is relatively light for a rapier.
This is a cut-and-thrust sword that performs well during cutting (though it is not suggested for heavy cutting) and practice. The hilt is elegant and very well made.
It offers good hand protection against cuts and slashes from cutting swords, but because of the open bars, the tip of the other blade can easily go through them. So, if training with another person, make sure to use gloves.
A very nice touch in the hilt is the polished bone handle. Overall, the sword is well made, and if you are thinking of buying a functional rapier for a nice price point, this is a really good option.
Best for Heavy training: Sword of Combat
| Overall Length | 109 cm |
| Blade Length | 92.5 cm |
| Weight | 960 g |
| Blade Material | 1095 Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Functional |
| Price | $ 252 |
Pros
- Safety features.
- Lightweight design.
- Comfortable grip.
Cons
- Limited practical use
- Not sharp
- No tip
The Windlass Sword of Combat is a training sword developed specifically for the rigors of mock combat. The blade is blunt and without a tip, making it safe for extensive use by reenactors or stage performers. This sword is intended for training and mock combat, not for actual combat.
The blade is full tang and forged from high carbon 1095 steel, fully tempered. The wooden grips are covered with leather and other authentic materials, providing a comfortable and secure hold on the rapier.
It features a swept hilt that includes a combination of a cross-guard and additional curved bars or rings that form a protective cage around the hand.
The sword is light and easy to train with.
Premium Choise: Sword of Hernán Cortés
| Overall Length | 160 cm |
| Weight | 1400 g |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $ 1703 |
Pros
- Good for heavy cutting
- Perfect for cutting and thrusting.
- Durable
Cons
- Pricey
Finding real pieces made with traditional methods is a dream for every enthusiast, but it can be expensive. For example, the best samurai swords crafted with traditional methods can cost over $10,000.
Luckily, rapiers are generally less expensive compared to katanas, but this particular sword is still quite expensive.
Sword of Hernan Cortes is a reproduction of the sword in the Royal Armoury in Madrid. It is claimed to have been used during the Conquest of Mexico by Hernán Cortés.
The reason for its high price is that the sword is completely handcrafted using old-traditional methods of making rapiers. The blade is strong enough for heavy cutting or thrusting practice. If you are a serious collector, it is a highly recommended sword.
Best decorative: Espada Tyzona Española Calada
| Overall Length | 115 cm |
| Blade Length | 94 cm |
| Weight | 1600 g |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $ 303 |
Pros
- Well-decorated and unique design.
- Ideal for decorative purposes, enhancing the ambiance of any space.
Cons
- Less suitable for practical use or combat.
The Espada Tizona Española Calada is a very well-crafted replica of the 16th-century sword used by captains of the Flanders Corps and courageous conquistadors of America. Unlike other functional rapiers, this one is primarily decorative.
You cannot use it as a functional sword, but it is perfectly fine for solo practice and training maneuvers to feel the balance and motions. In this list, it is the only cup-guard rapier which could have various finishes (etched, engraved, chiseled, damascened, etc.).
If you want a high-quality decorative rapier with maximum details, this one is the perfect choice.
Best for Practice: 17th Century Italian Rapier
| Overall Length | 117 cm |
| Blade Length | 98 cm |
| Weight | 1134 g |
| Blade Material | Carbon steel 1065 |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $ 418 |
Pros
- Modeled after 17th-century swords
- Includes a scabbard with Renaissance-era designs
- Made from tough carbon steel
Cons
- Not super sharp
- May be more flexible than it should be
This lovely weapon from Windlass Steelcrafts is designed based on the 17th Century Italian Rapier. The blade of this rapier is narrow, thin, and not very sharp. It is very flexible, much like a fencing sword.
Due to its flexibility, it is not suitable for cutting. In terms of weight, the sword is very light, allowing you to practice for extended periods. The handle is wrapped with silver-plated wire, and the pommel is perfectly designed for a rapier sword.
While it is not ideal for heavy cutting, it is perfect for light practice and training maneuvers.
Best Budget/Friendly – 17th Century
| Overall Length | 112 cm |
| Blade Length | 95 cm |
| Weight | 1.35 Kg |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Usage | Decorative, light practise |
| Price | $ 95 |
Pros
- Made from durable alloy steel.
- Attractive appearance.
- Good value for money.
Cons
- Not super sharp.
A lot of people may ask, how good can a $95 sword be? Actually, if you compare it to a functional sword, there would be noticeable differences, but for the price, I would say that it is a very good sword.
The blade of this sword is made with alloy steel but is not suitable for heavy training. It comes semi-sharp. The handle is made of wood, wrapped with steel wire, and features brass accents.
If you’re looking for a historical replica that’s not too expensive and offers a good sword concept, then you can’t go wrong with this 17th Century rapier.
Best Functional – Black Marauder
| Overall Length | 97 cm |
| Blade Length | 82 cm |
| Weight | 1100g |
| Blade Material | 1065 Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $ 220 |
Pros
- Light and nimble.
- Good balance.
- Reasonable flex for stage fighting.
Cons
- Black coating comes off easily.
- Blade does not come sharpened.
Not a solid combat blade but a good functional and light practical rapier. The Black Marauder Rapier is a replica from the Princess Bride. Compared to a normal rapier blade, this one is much shorter, maybe 6-7 inches shorter.
It looks more like a smallsword. The blade is properly tempered with medium flexibility and a diamond cross section. It has a sharp point, but the blade is not sharpened, so it is primarily a thrusting sword.
The hilt and grip are simple and minimal. The handle is made of wood, covered in black leather, and surrounded by an ornate hilt of blackened steel.
The sheath is leather with metal at both ends, featuring a skull and bones design. Overall, if you are looking for a simple, unique, good-looking sword that is functional at a fair price, this is a great choice.
Last Words
In my experience with various swords, I’ve found that their quality can sometimes be lacking. This could be due to the fact that swords are no longer used in warfare as they once were. However, owning a sword, especially one that holds historical significance, is something quite exciting.
And something even more exciting is to have a super sharp 17th-century sword, perfect for fencing matches, practical use, or even just to display as a centerpiece in your room.
But before you decide to purchase, it’s crucial to do some research about the product and the brand, and check out reviews from others who’ve bought it. It’s also important to understand why you want the sword.
