This one-of-a-kind rapier is heavily based on an original housed in the Met Museum in New York, taking the shape and structure of the original's guard and pommel, and simplifying them into a fencing-ready piece.
The sword is designed for the study of Italian rapier, primarily Alfieri, Giganti and Fabris. It is optimised for precise and powerful thrusts, with a strong central balance that helps the wielder maintain control and return to the centre line.
The original AN 14.25.1199 in NY Met Museum - Photo courtesy of the Met Museum.
The terminals of the quillons and knucklebow are a nod to the ornate decoration of the original, featuring hand-chiselled detail inspired by its complex baroque floral pattern. Without the rest of the original's gilded detailing, the stunning simplicity of the guard stands out in its own right - a protective spiral, looping around itself to form a sweeping knuckleguard.
The sword's name is inspired by this swirl of steel, meaning "maelstrom" in Italian. This references a powerful force of nature that draws victims unerringly into its deadly centre - something the wielder of this sword will hopefully be able to do to their opponents!
Please see our pricing structure for what a similar sword would cost.
∴ Specs ∴
Total length: 120.5cm
Blade length: 107cm
Blade width at shoulder: 2.7cm
Blade stock: 8mm
Quillon span: 25cm
Grip length: 7.5cm
Grip and pommel: 12.5cm
Grip to guard space: 5cm
Point of balance: 14cm
Weight: 1200g
Right-handed
∴ Notes ∴
The hand-forged and heat-treated guard and pommel are blackened to a matte finish.
The guard features straight, flat sectioned quillons, flaring to the terminals with small buttons and hand-chiselleded decorations. The closed port features a pierceswork pattern of diamonds and circles.
The pommel is a flattened oblong, and finished with a faceted steel nut.
The oak grip is wrapped in braided wire of copper and steel, finished top top and bottom with Turk's head knots.
The blade features one central fuller to half of the blade's length.
∴ Gallery ∴
∴ A Swirling Exchange∴
“Don’t watch the sword,” you tell yourself as your attacker flows toward you, a wicked smile on his lips. “Watch the man, don’t watch the sword.”
It’s no use though. You can hardly tear your eyes away from the glint of the steel blade as it makes tiny, provoking circles, nor the oppressive black whorl of a guard above it: a concentric spiral, drawing your gaze into its steely coil, like the pull of a whirlpool.
No sooner have you thought it than you are back on the riverbank: seven years old, sprawled out with the wooden stick you had been using as a sword dangling desperately over the water.
You see your playmate’s grasping hand reaching for the gnarled bough again and again, hear the mighty splashes as he paddles furiously against the swirling current. You watch the fear in his eyes as his strength begins to fail him, and recall the horror of your own helplessness in the face of that mighty churn.
Never again, you vow, coming back to yourself. Never again will you stand helplessly by and let death take its course.
With a roar you tear yourself free of the sword’s hypnotic pull. Your opponent starts at the sudden sound, making a hasty cut to your head. You grit your teeth and parry it high, stepping past him under cover. The attacker yelps as you slide your blade down his, angling the tip against his chest, and again as you slide your hand into his hilt, twisting and locking his arm.
His fingers slacken immediately, and you jerk the black-spiralled rapier out of his grasp, leaving him to crumple on the cobbles. Again you gaze at that deft, destructive spiral, but this time you smile. The power of the maelstrom is yours.