Need some purchasing advice

I'm at an anime convention all of this weekend, and to my great delight, they have more sword vendors than last year. I need some help choosing though. I'm putting a general description up tonight, I'll add pictures tomorrow, and then purchase on Sunday.

Right now my major choices are between a Roman gladius or a French rapier. The rapier is totally dulled, and has no edge whatsoever. It has a rather thin blade, very plain. Nothing special on the hilt or cross guard either. The gladius on the other had has acid-etched patterns on the blade, a very nice edge, and the hilt is just beautiful. Since it comes with a display sheath and stand, that's the one I'm leaning towards, and it's 10$ cheaper no less.

Now my question to you SeC, facing this choice which would you purchase?


Btw, I'll update tomorrow since there are sai and daggers and other swords galore.

go with the Gladius. the French sword will surrender when you get in a fight.

I read this topic and pretty much this is how i can sum it up:

Pariah: Hey SeC should i buy this shit blade(rapier) or this awesome blade(gladius)?

Get the glad

Gladius is more likely.

Gladius.

Get a kukri as well, they're nice.

I discovered an issue with the Gladius. It's got a rat-tail hilt. For those who don't know, that means that there's basically a giant screw welded to the end of the blade and the only thing holding the handle on is the nut. They're an incredibly cheap and breakable type of hilt, and I hate.

However, I did make a pretty sweet purchase. AC to anyone who can guess what I'm gonna be cosplaying with these.

This character?