Rapiers

These were civilian weapons popular from the late1400’s to the early 1700’s.  Designed originally as personal cut and thrust swords,  they achieved a high level of complexity in hilt design  with regional and fashion styles coming in and out of popularity over nearly 300 years.  They were long bladed and relatively unwieldy weapons with bad…

Parts of a Rapier

Communication is the name of the game- so it is important to make sure we are talking about the same thing when you say, “I really want a knuckle bow that looks like a leaf…” or ” I wish the headblock was rounded where it meets the blade.” And so without further ado, here is…

Price

Price depends totally on the choice of blade and the complexity of hilt design and materials. Ball park figures are as follows:  Swept hilted rapiers start at $375 and up, smallswords  $325 and up,  daggers $135 and up,  broadswords $350 and up.  These prices are subject to change at my whim.  I take all major…

The lay of the land- my shop

The workshop is very small, basically a corner of the prop shop.   I am only using the tools that a regional theater prop shop would have in their possession.  No machine shop here!!!   Sword construction is essentially additive and subtractive  sculpture in metal.  I purchase my blades, do research and design my hilts, then purchase…

Making a Sword

Sword Furbisher. I am technically a sword furbisher or cutler.  This is an artisan who takes a finished blade and designs and constructs a hilt for it.  (a hilt is the quillons/crossguard,  handle and the pommel /counterweight) I specialize in historically accurate weapons, built to withstand the rigors of stage combat.  My niche in this…