About Rapier's Delight

Rapier's Delight is a meeting point for anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of historical swords and arms!

Born as a YouTube channel to talk about the swords in my collection, it soon evolved into a place to discuss hoplology in all its facets, from academic research to reenactment and historical fencing. While the main focus remains on swords, I am interested in all facets of the world of historical arms and armour.

Behind Rapier's Delight (a play on the legendary Sugarhill Gang song), is me, Gabriele Culot. I'm a sword collector and historian, based in the Netherlands and Italy, where I'm originally from.

When I'm not shooting videos, buying (and occasionally selling) swords, or reading about them, you will often find me in museums and cultural institutions, measuring and documenting historical weapons.

I communicate my thoughts and work mostly on my YouTube channel, where you will find:

In Depth Examinations of remarkable historical swords, sharing their unique features and stories.
Discussions and comparisons of different types of blades, hilts, and periods to understand their evolution.
Thoughts and reflections on the historical context behind the manufacturing and use of these fascinating pieces of history.
Live interviews and talks HEMA, sword making, and academic research with some of the most notable people in the community.

Grab your sword, or just your curiosity, and let's explore the sharp side of history together!

FAQ

What is Rapier's Delight?

How can I support Rapier's Delight?

Your support helps Gabriele continue to research and showcase the antique swords and historical arms featured on the channel. There are several ways you can help!

You can directly contribute to the channel and its projects through dedicated platforms:

Patreon: By becoming a patron, you can provide recurring support and often gain access to exclusive benefits, such as behind-the-scenes content and direct interaction with Gabriele.
Buy Me a Coffee: You can also choose Buy Me a Coffee for one-time donations.

If you cannot offer financial support, your engagement is just as important in helping the channel grow and reach new enthusiasts.

Subscribe: Make sure you are subscribed to the Rapier's Delight YouTube Channel.
Like & Comment: Liking the videos and leaving thoughtful comments or questions helps the videos rank higher and reach new viewers.
Share: Share your favorite videos with friends, on social media, or in relevant history/sword communities.
Watch Time: Watching the videos all the way through signals to YouTube that the content is valuable, which helps boost the channel's visibility.

Where can I watch Rapier's Delight videos?

All official Rapier's Delight videos are hosted on the dedicated YouTube channel.

You can find all of Gabriele's videos, deep dives, and discussions on antique swords and historical arms by visiting the channel here:

Rapier's Delight YouTube Channel

In addition, short videos are available on TikTok, and there are plans for videos without advertisement to be uploaded to Patreon.

Audio versions of The Armoury Roundtable interviews can be found on all major podcast services.

What topics are covered by Rapier's Delight?

The content on Rapier's Delight revolves around antique swords and historical arms, focusing on a detailed and academic exploration of the artifacts.

Gabriele uses his historical and collector expertise to analyze and showcase specific pieces. Topics include:

Weapon Types: Detailed presentations of specific swords, such as rapiers, smallswords, sabres (cavalry and infantry), spadroons, and various Eastern and African blades (tulwars, nimchas, koras).
Historical Context: Placing a sword in its time, discussing the military history, combat style, and society that produced and used it.
Identification: Decoding maker's marks, inscriptions, and heraldry to determine a sword's origin, date, and provenance.
Design and Features: Close-up examinations of hilt construction, blade geometry, and decorative elements to understand craftsmanship.

A significant portion of the content is dedicated to the practical aspects of owning and preserving antique weapons, catering to the collector community:

Cleaning and Maintenance: Demonstrations on how to safely clean and oil blades, remove rust, and protect different materials (steel, brass, wood, leather).
Restoration Techniques: Shows the process of repairing and conserving antiques, often involving disassembly and reassembly of hilts.
Collector's Tips: Advice on long-term preservation using conservation-grade products like Renaissance Wax, and how to avoid common mistakes that can damage historical value.

The channel also serves as a guide and resource for those interested in the hobby:

Buying & Selling: Tips for beginners on where to buy antique swords (auctions, dealers, marketplaces) and how to research before making a purchase.
Community Navigation: Discussions on the different facets of the wider sword community, including academics, collectors, and practitioners of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).

The focus of the channel is always on preservation, authenticity, and historical respect for the artifacts.

Is there a community?

Yes! Community is a vital part of Rapier's Delight. The entire project is built on sharing knowledge and engaging with fellow enthusiasts and collectors.

While the primary hub is the YouTube channel, where viewers actively discuss the content in the comments, you can also connect with Gabriele and the community through several other platforms like Instagram, Patreon, Facebook, and TikTok.

Gabriele also frequently engages with the wider historical arms and swords community on platforms like Reddit (r/SWORDS) and Discord, making the Rapier's Delight audience a key part of the overall sword-collecting community.

How often are videos posted on Rapier's Delight?

Generally, new videos are posted weekly on YouTube.

Rapier's Delight is primarily a YouTube channel and community dedicated to antique swords, historical arms and armor, and hoplology.

It is hosted by Gabriele Culot, historian and antique sword collector.

The content covers a wide range of topics, including:

Detailed examinations of antique rapiers, smallswords, and various other historical swords and weapons.
Historical context and research into the use and design of these arms.
Restoration, care, and preservation tips for collectors.
Identification of the date, origin, and significance of historical pieces.
Interviews with key figures in the world of hoplology, HEMA, and sword making.