Damascus Rapier with Amboyna Burl and Bronze
(Best Sword - KGSA 2024)

Product Description for Damascus Rapier with Amboyna Burl and Bronze
(Best Sword - KGSA 2024)

Maker: Rucus Coetzee (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 111610
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 28.00 in.
Cutting edge length: 26.60 in.
Total length: 35.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.18 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.18 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 32.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 42 oz.
Blade: Damascus hand forged from carbon steels by Mastersmith Kevin Harvey
Bolster: Blackened mild steel guard
Handle: Stabilized presentation grade amboyna burl, hand fluted and inlaid with twisted bronze wire
Sheath: Leather sheath with stingray leather inlay
Description: Rucus Coetzee began making knives in 2010 when he started working at Heavin Forge under ABS Mastersmiths Kevin Harvey and Heather Harvey. He began forging blades immediately and joined the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern African in September of 2011 (making him -- at the age of 20 -- the youngest member -- an honor previously held by Kevin Harvey). In 2013, he started his own workshop and began creating many different styles of knives and blades from hunting knives to kitchen knives, though Rucus' interest in bladesmithing comes from his love for history and historical weapons. He spends a lot of time researching these weapons, then creates one of his own. They are never 100% copies of originals. Instead, he tries to introduce his own style into the historically inspired piece. Given the exceptional level of work, it is no surprise that it won Best Sword
at the 2024 Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa Show.
A rapier is a type of sword originally used in Spain and Italy. The name designates a sword with a straight, slender and sharply pointed two-edged long blade wielded in one hand. It was widely popular in Western Europe throughout the 16th and 17th centuries as a symbol of nobility or gentleman status. It was typically fashioned as a weapon for dueling, self-defense and as a military sidearm.
The 28-inch damascus blade was hand forged from carbon steels by Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. The symmetrical damascus pattern nicely complements the symmetry in the blade. The blade is flat ground and fully sharpened on both sides with a fuller traveling up the center of the blade. Because the blade is forged from carbon steels, we recommend using camellia oil to protect the blade and wood handle.
The handle is presentation grade amboyna burl, fluted and inlaid with twisted bronze wire. A bronze escutcheon with Coetzee's touchmark is overlaid onto the mild steel blade guard. The guard, designed to protect the user's hand in a duel, is forged from blackened mild steel. The handle is finished with bronze pommel and finial. The pommel can be twisted to disassemble the sword if cleaning and maintenance are needed. Take-down construction requires tighter tolerances and shows Coetzee's focus on the details.
A hand stitched leather sheath made by Coetzee is included to protect the sword. The center of the sheath features red stingray leather inlay.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available