So my group is playing Warhammer Fantasy (2e?) and I am creating an Estalian Diestro ( think Inigo Montoya). I was looking at the foil or rapier weapon and it sparked me thinking: what was the most deadly fencing weapon historically? The epee, small sword, saber, estoc, rapier, or something else? Most search results focus on fencing as a sport not actual combat. The situation would be single duel/ small group combat not actual war. I would love to hear some opinions!
I agree with the other poster, but I think there’s a reason that sabers survived in military use up until the early modern era, while most other swords died out. The saber is simply quite a versatile design, with a cutting edge and enough weight to make use of it and to parry heavier weapons without breaking, a point for thrusting, a hand guard so you don’t lose fingers, but not a bug clunky one like some of those cup hilt swashbuckler era things.
The saber was also good for use on horseback and on foot, on the battle field and in a duel. At least as far as European (and American) swords go, it saw the most universal use because it was so versatile and good at it’s job.
There are certainly East Asian, Indian, African and Middle Eastern swords that saw use up through the modern era (the Japanese were still using katanas in WWII), but as far as European fencing / swashbuckling styles of arms went, the saber was the most popular and persisted the longest in real use for some fairly solid reasons.
I think sabers stuck around the longest because they were used by cavalry(-adjacent) units. That’s because the curved edge makes it easy to slash a lightly armored enemy while you’re riding past. Cavalry was used up to WW2 in some armies, when infantry had long replaced melee weapons with gunpowder weapons.
For dueling against an unarmored opponent, I think rapier-like swords would be best because they have range and speed. Against armor, you need a heavier weapon, like a medieval longsword.
Edit: personally, when doing medieval re-enactment battles, I prefer spears over swords because it’s hard to beat an extra meter in length. The heavier weight isn’t much of an issue if you’re used to it.
Historically, many people used staffs and spears for self defence because they’re more readily available than swords, easier to use and more effective outside of rather specific circumstances.
I deleted my tangent on spears a few times! Everybody in history has used the spear and in massive numbers. Cheap, easily made and repaired, and lower initial training required. If we count bayonets as spears, they’re still used today.