Rapier Combat

Deputy for Rapier

Rules and Policies:

Rapier Combat Handbook

revised July 2006, includes appendices 1-4

Rapier Combat Handbook, Appendix 5 - see below

Blade Types and Conventions; revised July 2006

Rapier Experiment Proposal Form

To be submitted to the Society Rapier Marshal by Kingdom Rapier Marshals

 

Updates:

June 2012

PROTECTIVE GEAR

1. TERMS

. . .

C. Puncture-resistant material . . .

four-ounce (1.60 mm) leather

. . .

D. Rigid Material . . .

. . .

one layer of hardened heavy leather (8 ounce, 3.18 mm)

changes to match the standard international equivalence.

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Oct 2011

Using very stretchy materials as armour

UnderArmour, Spandex, and very stretchy materials are NOT suitable as rapier armour and should not be included in the material tested with a drop tester to determine puncture resistance. Feel free to wear them beneath your puncture resistant material.

Feb 2012

WEAPONS AND PARRYING DEVICES
Section 2. Blades

A. In order to be acceptable for use in rapier combat, it must meet certain criteria. If a blade does not meet the criteria established below, it may not be used for any form of rapier combat in the Society, unless it is first approved by the Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier Combat and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If a blade meets the criteria below, it is considered acceptable for use by default unless specifically banned. A list of approved exceptions and banned blades may be found at: http://sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/rapier/bladetypes.pdf.

i. For light rapier: Foil, epee, double-wide epee, and musketeer blades from established commercial manufacturers are acceptable for use.

ii. For heavy rapier, and cut and thrust rapier:

a. Blades must be made of steel

b. Blades must be no longer than 48" as measured from the tip to the top of the tang (i.e. where the tang and forte meet)

c. Blades must be reasonably flexible. Heavy rapier blades must flex at least 1 inch (25 mm) when tested per the procedures in the Appendix, section 1.B. Dagger blades (those under 18 inches), and cut and thrust blades must flex at least 1/2 inch (12.5 mm). Any blade 18 inches or longer, being used in melee combat, must flex at least 1 inch (25 mm).

Part B continues as before

Based on test data, this will effect very few of the blades currently in use, but allow additional blades to be used.

Update to Appendix 1B

B. BLADE FLEXIBILITY TESTING

To determine if a weapon meets the standard of being "reasonably flexible": Hold weapon parallel to the ground, supporting the handle against table or bench if necessary. Hang a 6-ounce weight (170 grams) one inch (25 mm) distance from the tip. If the blade of a dagger (out to 18 inches blade length) flexes at least 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) the blade is reasonably flexible. For a heavy rapier blade (18" or longer), the blade must flex at least 1 inch (25 mm). For use in cut and thrust rapier, the blade must flex at least 1/2 inch (12.5 mm). Any blade 18 inches or longer, being used in melee combat, must flex at least 1 inch (25 mm).

Replacement of Appendix 5 – Permitted and Restricted Blade Types

Section 2 of the Rapier Combat Handbook lists criteria under which a blade may be used in Society rapier combat without further review. This appendix lists blade types that have been reviewed by the Society Rapier Marshal's office, and either found to be acceptable for use in the Society, or that may not be used in the Society. Note that while individual Kingdom rules may not allow a blade that is not specifically approved by the Society, Kingdoms may restrict the use of certain types of blades that have been approved by Society. Consult the rules for your Kingdom to determine if a particular blade is approved for use.

Any blade listed here must still pass the flexibility testing described in section 1.B of the appendix to the Rapier Combat Handbook.

Acceptable Blades

Unacceptable Blades