"Slicing Through Controversy – Can The Rapier Cut?" Topic

"For centuries in arguments between fencing theorists, the debate about whether to cut or thrust has been a heated one. A subset of that debate within the rapier community comprises perhaps one of the oldest and most prolific controversies, a hot-button of a question: can rapiers cut in the first place?

To explore this debate, we must first establish what we consider a rapier. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. The general time of the rapier's dominance as a sidearm spans close to two centuries, from Camillo Agrippa's 1553 treatise to, arguably, the early 1700s. The number of rapiers produced in that time varies widely in every possible dimension: blade length, cross-sectional width, thickness, taper, etc. Some designs would clearly be better suited for cutting than others. Thus, our focus should be on single hand swords from the mid-16th to late 17th centuries which were capable of possessing a sharp edge but optimized for thrusting.

The origins of this controversy stretch back several centuries. It does not appear to have originated with the original users of rapiers, with the possible exception of the 16th century English fencing author George Silver and his noted disdain of the rapier in all its forms. The controversy most likely began in the Victorian era, a time when many sword-based myths first appeared and were promoted by fencing enthusiasts attempting to understand historical weaponry through the context of their own contemporary styles, such as the predominance of the exclusively thrust-oriented smallsword and foil fencing styles…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Rapiers had edges for centuries before the edge-less small sword evolved. It seems inconceivable all that labor went into forging, grinding, and honing those edges if no one ever cut with them.

While emphasis on the thrust grew most period rapiers, and good quality copies I've handled, were quite capable of cutting. That said, the thrust was considered more deadly.

Yes a Rapier can cut, but as per above, not the best way to use the weapon.

Along the lines of, can a katana thrust, yes but not the best way to use the weapon.