One of the defining characteristics of rapiers is their slender blades, which are far thinner than that of other typical sword designs. The thin blades ensure a finely keen point but at the cost of a powerful edge. As a result, the rapier is ideal for thrusting but less so for slashing, and the art of wielding a rapier is typified by swift, nimble, piercing strikes. Despite this, rapiers are not wholly bereft of the ability to cut, but its specialty lies in stabbing.[1]
Aside from their thin blades, rapiers also typically have sophisticated hilts consisting of either protective cups or elaborate twisting rings.[1][2]
History
General Marcourt brandishing his rapier
Rapiers were developed as early as the 12th century; the Templar twins Shalim and Shahar each favored a pair of Sicilian Rapiers. They passed on their art to their henchmen, duelists who exploited their expertise to terrorize the people of Cyprus during the Templar occupation in 1192.[3]
In spite of this, rapiers did not truly become prominent until the 16th century starting with the Renaissance.[4][5] A wide variety of rapiers were produced in the early 18th century at the time of the Golden Age of Piracy and were supplied throughout the West Indies.[2] By the time of the French Revolution, rapiers were still sold in markets in Paris and used by certain officers famed for their swordsmanship, such as the general Marcourt, a member of the Parisian Rite of the Templar Order.[1] Even so, European militaries at the end of the 18th century by and far preferred to service their soldiers with sabers instead.[6][1]
