Academy of Historical Fencing

I have noticed that the people at AHF have a lot of experience with using Hanwei rapiers. I just acquired a Hanwei 'nail head' rapier blade to replace an old schlager blade. However the 'nail head' tip is HUGE.

I am accustomed to using blades with bird blunts on the tips, but this doesn't seem to be an option without grinding off a lot of the 'nail head'. Anybody here using a 'nail head' Hanwei blade? And if so, what do you do to the tip?

Cheers,
Bob

Hi there, we do indeed use a lot of the practical 43" rapiers, probably have at least 20 of them. So far we have always used them simply as is, as the priority has always simply been to stop the penetration of the thin blade, which is does perfectly. We always wear fencing jackets when fencing however.

We have never found them particularly large. Although a few of our members have now fitted archery blunts on as they reduce impacts slightly, especially to the hands, thoygh I haven't done this myself. If you wear fencing jackets I have never seen the need to tip them, and the jackets are important in the case of blade breaks anyway.

Personally I mostly use Darkwood rapiers and tip them with bullet casings, .44 magnum is a good fit.you can then put a rubber archery blunt on top if desired, but again, I have not seen the need with the kit we wear.

The head of the nail is 15 mm by 8 mm - bit of a stretch for an archery blunt. I think I'll try a rawhide wrap first; bound in place. I have done the brass cartridge casing as well - for a schlager blade that was a bit narrow at the tip - worked well.

Thanks for the prompt response!