Sword and rapier. The difference is one tool from another. Sword, rapier and saber: what are the differences?

In the old days, his honor and life depended on the mastery of the fencer. Today, weapons are used only for sports fights and even sometimes for fitness. To properly apply it, you should familiarize yourself with the distinctive features of each of them. Prick is the only way to attack for such species as the sword and rapier. The difference between a saber is the ability to strike another blow. This implies a significant difference in the technique of fencing. Each person has his own weapon. Therefore, before you start attending classes, you should familiarize yourself with the principles of using each type of duel in a duel.

Weapon History

A prototype, different from today's sword and rapier, is considered to be a stick in the Stone Age, which the primitive man took for his protection. It took a very long time until the first type of weapons transformed into something more similar to its modern varieties.

The sword appeared first. This happened in the II century BC. E. It was a heavy and sharp weapon from all sides, which could be stabbed, cut and cut. He used in the foot fight. But for the battle on horseback he was very uncomfortable.

Three centuries later, asians were invented sabers, which were successfully used for both equestrian and pedestrian combat. In the 15th century, a sword and rapier appeared in Europe. Their difference from the saber was the great fineness of the blade. This allowed him to penetrate into the unprotected armor of armor. In Italy, this weapon was called "sword", and in Spain - "rapier". The wounds inflicted by them were fatal in the case of a thrust and less dangerous in case of cuts.

The Sword of History

Sword (from Italian spada) - a derivative of the sword is a cold piercing-cutting weapon. Its length was from 1 m or more. It consists of a one- or two-blade blade and a handle that has an arch and a guard. The handle is called the hilt. The complex shape of the guard protects your fingers from bumps.

Among the varieties of such weapons, it should be noted that the subsequently appeared "court" sword. She had a light weight. Such a sword was an indispensable attribute of the clothes of the courtiers.

The French fencing school shortened the blade of the weapon and turned into a faceted blade. The rapier and the sword, the differences which were significant in the later period, also had an unprotected blade and a very sharp top. Cavalry version of the sword was in the range from 1 to 1.5 kg.

Armory swords and rapiers also became civilian and were an attribute of noblemen and rich people in Europe.

Sports sword

Modern sword, rapier, saber, the differences which are important for the style of fencing, are considered only as a sports weapon.

The sword has a length of 110 cm. Its weight is 770 g and above. The steel blade is quite flexible and has a trihedral section. The sword of the swordsman is protected by a round guard with a diameter of 13.5 cm. The main feature of the sports sword is the trihedral section of the blade, refined to the top. The maximum width of the faces is 24 mm.

In sport, the use of swords, rapiers or sabers suggests excellent tournaments for men and women. The tip of the sword is supplied with a sensor that responds to a pressure of 550 g. This registers an injection that can be applied to all parts of the athlete's body, except the occiput. The device does not fix it, if the pressure on the tip occurred later than the other by 0.25 s. Therefore, in fencing on swords there is no priority of actions. At the same time, injections are awarded to both participants.

Historical Rapier

The rapier and sword, the differences of which were determined in the 16th century, were significantly different from modern sport weapons.

A rapier (from a ropera) means literally a "sword for clothes". It was more often used for wearing with civilian clothes, since it was a light version of the weapon. For felling the rapier fits less than the sword. However, in the classical version, the unsportsmanlike version had blades.

Rapiers were popular in the 16th century. In the 17th century they were replaced by short swords, which because of this began to weigh less.

The length of the historical rapier was up to 130 cm. Less than a meter was a blade that characterized a variety of weapons. Swords and rapiers weighed more than sports.

Sports foil

Sport rapiers from the sword differ in their parameters. Thus, the cross-section of the rapier is tetrahedral. The length of the blade is 90-110 cm, and the mass of the weapon does not exceed 500 g. The brush is protected by a metal guard with a diameter of 12 cm.

The blade proportionately decreases in section to the apex, which is equipped with a tip with a diameter of 6 mm.

At the weapon used at competitions, the tip represents a mobile electrocontact device. It reacts to a prick inflicted on the enemy. When the circuit is closed, the signal is fed through a wire that goes along the deepening of the face from the tip to the guard. Under the guard is the connector to which the wire is glued.

In addition to the basic parameters, there is another difference between the rapier and the sword. Sport allows you to use different tactics and techniques of combat. It is the rapier that sometimes allows the replacement of a straight handle with a curly handle. This form is called a "gun" and makes it possible not to bend your wrist while grasping the handle.

Combat on rapiers

Fencing on rapiers, sabers and swords involves organizing separate competitions for men and women. The pressure of the rapier to react to the tip should be 500 g. The injections are counted only if they were applied to a metallized jacket.

I - saber;

II - the rapier;

III - the sword.

Such weapons as rapier, sword, saber, the differences in the sport of which is significant enough, requires a separate consideration. The modern rule of fencing on rapiers determines that the enemy's attack must be reflected before the beginning of the response. Therefore, priority for action is important for this weapon. The advantage is determined by the arbiter, who stops the fight when the device registered the inflicted shot.

It is also forbidden to clash fighters with bodies. Also, the fight stops, if one of the participants is behind the back of another fighter. With the use of modern video fencing, it became possible to avoid mistakes made by the arbitrator when making a decision.

Historical saber

The sword, rapier, saber, the differences which were formed due to the historical technique of combat, are also applicable today in sports competitions, taking into account their ancient features.

The sword is a cutting weapon that has a curved blade. In order to inflict and thrust, warriors honed the top of the blade by 10 cm on both sides.

Saber appeared in the East and was widely spread in the 7-8 centuries. During this period it was a cutting-and-stabbing type of weapon. By the 14th century it was already a predominantly choppy variety, with a relatively small weight and considerable curvature of the blade. The displacement of the center of gravity from the hilt increased the force of impact and the area of damage.

In the 16th century, swords were used by dragoons, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, a modified type of this weapon was used by hussars.

Sports Saber

Fencing on swords, rapiers, sabers takes into account today also those features of combat, for which in the old days each kind was used. Therefore, the sports saber is a cutting-piercing weapon, a blade with a trapezoidal section.

The length of the steel blade is 105 cm. The saber weight is 500 g. The garda has a special shape that protects the fighter's wrist from the front and from the top, if he directs the blade upwards.

The blows are allowed to be applied only to the upper part of the fencer's body, including the hands (to the wrist) and the mask. The impact and the prick are fixed by the apparatus. The affected surface of protective clothing has silver shavings, and the mask contacts the jacket.

The combat on sabers is similar to fencing on rapiers with the right of priority in the attack. The difference is only in the type of impact. They are not stitching, but cutting. The battle becomes more dynamic.

Varieties of fencing

Today, depending on the type of fencing used saber, sword or rapier. The battle can be historical, artistic and athletic. Therefore, the type of weapon should be selected, based on the purpose of its conduct.

Historical fencing is conducted to reconstruct a duel between two people or a whole group in the style of the chosen era with the appropriate weapon. Outwardly, this may not be the most beautiful spectacle, but they help restore historical authenticity of events.

Artistic fencing also recreates the historical concepts of combat. However, this species is more spectacular. This staging show and the enemy here, in fact, a partner. Here, light weapons are more often used.

Sports fencing is conducted on special swords, rapiers and sabers according to certain rules. Versions of weapons are also used here light.

How to choose a weapon

Having decided to tackle fencing, it is necessary to determine which weapon is more acceptable for a person. It can be a saber, a sword and a rapier. The difference between the technique of combat with the help of each species is studied by the newcomer during the first 3-4 months.

Each coach is sure that the kind of fencing that he teaches is the best, technical and beautiful. Therefore, the chosen type of weapon must be loved. Every master of fencing will learn this from the first lessons.

You can not try yourself in sparring or training. Therefore, one should try various techniques of fencing and only after a few months make a conclusion about the most suitable type of weapon for themselves.

It should also be noted that training swords, rapiers and sabers are somewhat different from electronic ones. Although, if you master the technique of fencing and learn all the tactical and physical subtleties of this sport, such details will not prevent you from manifesting yourself in the competition.

The weapon of the sword, sword and rapier, the difference which was formed under the influence of historical factors of combat, allows each novice fencer to choose for himself the best of his type. So, we can conclude: each type of weapon has its unique capabilities and entertainment.