Ren fair accessories question (sword)

**ofdsean** · 17th November 12, 09:45 AM

I'm going to the Carolina ren fair tomorrow and plan on wearing my kilt along with a ren fair shirt and vest( not historically accurate but cool) and was wondering if a rapier or a bastard sword would be better with the kilt? My basket Hilted broadsword is still a few pay checks away and can't decide between the two or to go with no sword.

**Dale Seago** · 17th November 12, 11:10 AM

I'd say if you're not trying to be "period correct" anyway, wear whatever floats your boat. Were it me, I'd go with the French toad-stabber.

**Dale Seago** · 17th November 12, 11:15 AM

Okay, for those of you who didn't "get" the reference, it was to dialogue in Highlander, season 6, episode 5, dealing with rapiers among other things:

(Flashback to 1640, an inn, sharing a bed under strictly honorable circumstances)

Kyra: I've never met a Scotsman before. Tell me, are they well armed?
Duncan: Ah-hem. What exactly do you mean?
Kyra: I mean their swords, of course. What did you think I meant?
Duncan: Oh, well, your French toad stabbers, they're fine for some, but they're kind of puny.
Kyra: You think them small?
Duncan: Och! They're hardly worth your while. Now a Scotsman's weapon, that's another matter. Once it gets going there's nothing that can stop it.
Kyra: Really?
Duncan: Aye. Two hands to hold the thing. I doubt you could even hold it.
Kyra: Surely you exaggerate.
Duncan: No, not a wee bit. Come to Scotland and I'll show you.
Kyra: Scotland?
Duncan: You dinna think I could bring it in here did you? I mean the bloody thing wouldn't fit through the door.
Kyra: Oh. Oh, you mean your sword.
Duncan: A claymore, of course. What did you think I meant?

**ofdsean** · 17th November 12, 06:13 PM

French toad stabber it is then. I'm hoping to have a late 1600 to early 1700 set up that is historically accurate together by next year, but since i just got my first kilt (not for costume use) I just wanted to wear it for the sake of wearing it. Just so happens the rest of my ren fair and sca stuff does not go with a kilt.

**Sir Didymous** · 20th December 12, 10:36 PM

There have been some references to Scotts carying rapiers, or at least that's the rabble has told me. I haven't had any luck finding any art or other references to their being worn with a kilt per say, but that's what I'm intending for my Highland dye merchant kit. The idea being that since travel in the south and on into England would be part of his life, then the rapier would be considered fashionable. Of course I'm going more or less for a 1590's to 1620 look. The dye merchant thing is just an excuse to wear lots of rich colors. I found an awsome thrice dyed woad (dark blue) and black plaid for my great kilt and I wear it with a burgundy colored doublet and a white ruffled shirt. Trying to locate some historical shoes since barefoot was common in the highlands, I go that way with moggins most of the time, but shoes are a must for some situations. I read that hair on cow hides (hair side out) were used to fashion shoes by lacing them through the top. That seems a bit crude for a well off merchant, thus I'm trying to find a pair of early style ghillies in a brown leather.

**Dale Seago** · 20th December 12, 11:58 PM

You may find this useful -- scroll on down to the time-frame you're looking for:

http://www.garbtheworld.com/instock/...category=Shoes

**TheOfficialBren** · 21st December 12, 12:22 AM

If you are going for "cool" I say bastard sword.

**Zardoz** · 21st December 12, 01:05 PM

the rapier would be the lightest one, I'd go with that.

**Sir Didymous** · 22nd December 12, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

You may find this useful -- scroll on down to the time-frame you're looking for:

http://www.garbtheworld.com/instock/...category=Shoes

I like alot of these shoes, infact i'm planning on ordering the 14th C side lace ankle boots for my primary persona of English noble during the late 13- Early 14th centuries, but I was looking for something more along these lines http://www.etsy.com/listing/10271229...her-historical

**Riverkilt** · 22nd December 12, 06:49 AM

Them swords at Ren Faires get "Peace Tied" anyway and seem to constantly get in the way of fellow fair goers - particularly in the shops where they often sweep products off the shelves. Just don't see a reason to wear any sword to the Faire. You'll probably be a lot more comfortable, and at ease, and unworried about accidental events without it. Nothin' personal...just sayin'.....