Talk:Myrtenaster/@comment-96.8.204.173-20150719053619/@comment-25195920-20150720070045

I'll agree with you on most points but i did some digging and rapiers were used in actual combat in the 1500s though admittedly not in battle against armored opponants. The general idea was for a weapon to be available that was less obviously menacing than a traditional sword that was also effective against unarmored foes. And most of them did have at least 1 decent edge specifically to prevent anyone from trying to grab the rapier by the blade. Your point about dealing damage is fair though blood loss and a well placed thrust to the sword arm would be dangerous, though i bet my katana could break a rapier without too much trouble. I will agree with your point about general strength due to the weight of the weapon though thrusts generally are harder to block than slashes (try positioning to outright block a thrust, its not easy).

Really though, rapiers were a more elegent dueling weapon used by nobility who considered themselves above the common swordsman. In a situation where armor isn't readily available, rapiers are excellent but i'll take my katana and ninjatos over them any day.