Spanish Rapier, Tizona with Cup-Shaped Hilt – 17th Century, LK Chen Forge

Inspired by the finest Renaissance Spanish rapiers preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and in other prestigious collections, the Tizona is a remarkable recreation of a 17th-century rapier with a cup-shaped hilt. Its name pays homage to one of the legendary swords of El Cid Campeador, an iconic hero of Spanish history.

Designed by LK Chen in collaboration with experts in historical weapons, this rapier captivates with the authenticity of its details and the exceptional finesse of its craftsmanship. Its sumptuous cup-shaped guard, adorned with floral motifs, effectively protects the hand while offering a refined aesthetic worthy of the noble swordsmen of Spain’s Golden Age.

Lightweight, agile, and perfectly balanced, the Tizona is optimized for the art of thrusting. Its slender 100 cm blade offers excellent precision while maintaining the sturdiness necessary for dynamic use. The handle is adorned with an elegant steel wire braided around a sculpted core, embellished with superb decorative “Turkish head” knots, reproduced using historical techniques.

Forged from high-performance GB 60Si2MnA spring steel, comparable to and even superior in some respects to 5160 steel, the blade undergoes a complete heat treatment that gives it a hardness of 52 to 54 HRC, ensuring strength, flexibility, and durability.

The wooden sheath, covered in fine-grained black leather, perfectly complements the knife, while its stainless steel trim ensures an elegant and durable finish.

Technical Specifications

• Total length: 118.2 cm
• Blade length: 100 cm
• Handle length: 18.2 cm
• Weight: 1,120 g
• Balance point: 40 mm in front of the guard
• Blade width: 18 mm at the guard / 8 mm near the tip
• Blade thickness: 6.6 mm at the guard / 2.5 mm near the tip
• Steel: GB 60Si2MnA (high-carbon manganese spring steel)
• Hardness: 52–54 HRC
• Guard and pommel: stainless steel
• Handle: braided steel wire with decorative “Turkish knot” ties
• Sheath: wooden core covered with fine black leather
• Pommel: stainless steel