I've tried a lot of swords. Modern epees and foils are like fighting with noodles, cutlasses are better as tools than weapons (hence, machete), the claymore is heavy, bulky, and prone to countering, one-handed broadswords are only alright if you have enough armor to get in close, scimitars are cool, but the curve is unwieldy and there isn't much to follow an attack up with. Katanas are pretty awesome, but they leave the hands exposed. Rapiers, on the other hand, are beautiful, versatile, quick, and lethal. I fence medieval-style with them every Monday at SCA meetings.