Right, I've had a few weeks with this bad boy, and I can say this is probably the best sharp rapier when you measure price vs. Quality.
As of right now, you can get this for 250 or so. (225+tax/shipping) on the Ronin Katana website. that is an insane price, not just for a Rapier, but a decent sword in general.
At 2 pounds, it's not a super light sword, but it IS light for a rapier. and damn if it doesn’t feel good when you move and poke. The cup hilt I suspect is why it's light for a rapier. Swept hilts are a bunch of thick steel bars, while the cup on this is fairly thin.
The scabbard being leather covered wood is also ludicrous. When you buy a sword, more often than not the scabbard is half the cost. So you almost never get a wood cored one at this price. Mine at least has a good friction fit. Another crazy perk. The tip of the scabbard having a hood leather reinforcement to cushion the wood in case it bumps into something (it will, if you actually carry this) is another example of good design.
It was also a very nice extra that the scabbard comes with a fitted hanger. Another rare thing at this price. The fittings are Chicago bolts so it's not historical. But they still look like rivets at a distance, and it makes repairing the hanger easy if it has to be done in the future. A modern concession for a better sword.
It carries well, rapier by nature have to carry low and loosish because of the big complex hilts. The hanger allows for movement. Not the best, but more than good.
I do not do destructive testing with my swords like I do with my knives. Knives can take abuse easily. Swords, even good ones, do not necessarily. But after honing the edge, I can cut bottles well if i have a good swing. (a feat for a rapier like this) and the blade is stiff enough to pierce things, even thin wood. But flexes enough to prove a good spring temper.
Ultimately, the takeaway is that at 250, this is one of the best value swords on the market. Especially if you want a rapier. And even at a non-discount price of 350ish I'd still say it's one of the better rapier options.
As for historical accuracy, it compares well enough to originals that it doesn't scream "flea market skewer" on first look. I haven't seen an exact sword like it, but enough rapiers have the individual part shapes to say it's plausible.
