Unlike a broadsword, short sword, or side sword, the rapier features a thin blade that is used for thrusting rather than slashing. The rapier acts as a piercing weapon, and was as a lightweight combat alternative to other swords during the 16th and 17th centuries. The rapier features a complex hilt that covers the hand and protects it from slashing weapons, while the blade is long and thin, and can be sharpened along its entire length or just at the tip. In addition, certain variations of the rapier exist, such as the estoc, which is a rapier without a cutting edge. The estoc is quite unique in that it was like a rapier, but intended to be used with both hands (though one handed estocs exist as well). Thus the estoc functioned more like a more precise rendition of the long spear than a sword. While estocs weren’t weapons of finesse, rapier swords were. The rapier was preferred by sword masters. Rapiers were often utilized in duels, and were renowned as a blade that could provide offense and defense without requiring a companion sword or shield.
Today, most European fencers still train with rapier like swords, and the swords that most people imagine in fencing competition are thrusting swords like the rapier. Rapier fencing is in stark contrast to other fencing techniques such as Kendo, which relies on a slashing weapon.