Rapier

In Historical European Martial Arts, the rapier is a long, one-handed thrusting sword studied through surviving fencing manuals from the Renaissance and early modern periods. HEMA rapier practice emphasizes precise point control, distance, timing, footwork, blade engagement, and the protection offered by the weapon’s complex hilt. Depending on the tradition, training may focus on Italian systems such as those of Capo Ferro and Fabris, Spanish La Verdadera Destreza, or other regional schools. Modern HEMA rapiers are blunt training weapons designed for controlled drills, technical study, sparring, and competition.