Van de Wiele Carbon Rapier & Rapier Head Parts
On a Van de Wiele velvet loom the weft is carried across the shed by two carbon rapiers entering from opposite sides, with a rapier head at each tip. In the trade, “carbon” usually means these rapiers; some catalogues call the body a carbon rapier bar and the head a gripper. This page gathers every part of our weft insertion range: carbon rapier sets, male and female carbon rapiers, rapier heads, rear blocks and connections, guides, shuttle connection plates, drive wheels and pressure rollers.
Our carbon rapier sets, male/female carbon rapiers and rapier heads (K1–K7) fit Van de Wiele VMM, MPS and VME velvet looms. Some surrounding parts, such as guides and pressure roller shafts, are model-specific; there is a separate table for each model below. Drive wheel and shuttle codes for Günne velvet looms are in the same range.
A carbon rapier never works alone: when a guide, block or drive wheel wears, a new rapier can soon come under strain too. We therefore suggest checking the neighbouring parts whenever you replace a rapier. We ship carbon rapier parts worldwide: send the part code or a photo on WhatsApp for a quote and shipping time.
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What makes up a carbon rapier system?
The carbon body (male and female), the rapier head at its tip and the shuttle connection plate joining them make up the rapier itself. The rear end is held by blocks and an aluminium rear connection; the rapier runs in guides and is driven back and forth by the drive wheel and pressure roller. For all the names used in the trade, see carbon rapier, rapier head and gripper terms.
Complete set or single parts?
The complete carbon rapier set (K1) includes both male and female sides. If only one side is needed you can choose a complete male/female rapier with head (K2, K3) or the bare carbon body (K4, K5); rapier heads (K6, K7) are listed separately too. Which option suits depends on the wear; we can advise once we see a photo.
Carbon rapier parts for the VMM
Carbon rapier sets, carbon bodies, rapier heads and the pressure roller shaft coded for the Van de Wiele VMM velvet loom. For every VMM part, see MPS, VMM, VME parts.
| Code | Part | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| K1 |  | VDW Carbon Rapier Set Complete | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K2 |  | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K3 |  | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K4 |  | VDW Carbon Rapier Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K5 |  | VDW Carbon Rapier Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K6 |  | VDW Rapier Head Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K7 |  | VDW Rapier Head Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K23 |  | VME - VMM Pressure Roller Shaft | VME, VMM |
Carbon rapier parts for the MPS
Besides the carbon rapier and rapier head parts, the MPS has its own male and female guides and pressure roller shaft. To check guide clearance, see MPS guide clearance.
| Code | Part | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Set Complete | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K2 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K3 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K4 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K5 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K6 | | VDW Rapier Head Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K7 | | VDW Rapier Head Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K15 |  | MPS Male Guide | MPS |
| K16 |  | MPS Female Guide | MPS |
| K22 |  | MPS Pressure Roller Shaft | MPS |
Carbon rapier parts for the VME
Carbon rapier sets, carbon bodies, rapier heads and the shared VME-VMM pressure roller shaft for the Van de Wiele VME velvet loom. For parts shared by the VME and VMM, see the shared parts list.
| Code | Part | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Set Complete | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K2 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K3 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K4 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K5 | | VDW Carbon Rapier Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K6 | | VDW Rapier Head Male | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K7 | | VDW Rapier Head Female | MPS, VME, VMM |
| K23 | | VME - VMM Pressure Roller Shaft | VME, VMM |
Günne drive wheel and shuttles
Weft insertion codes in our catalogue for Günne velvet looms. Send a photo of your part and we will match it together.
| Code | Part | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| K24 |  | Günne Drive Wheel Aluminium | Günne |
| K25 |  | Günne Shuttle Male | Günne |
| K26 |  | Günne Shuttle Female | Günne |
Part groups
Velvet Loom Parts
VDW Carbon Rapier Set Complete
VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Male
VDW Carbon Rapier Complete Female
VDW Carbon Rapier Male
VDW Carbon Rapier Female
VDW Rapier Head Male
VDW Rapier Head Female
Rapier Rear Block
Rapier Rear Block (type 2)
Rapier Block Plastic
Rapier Block Fibre
Rapier Rear Block Inner
Rapier Rear Connection Aluminium
Rapier Rear Block Outer
MPS Male Guide
MPS Female Guide
Shuttle Connection Plate Male
Shuttle Connection Plate Female
Drive Wheel Aluminium
Drive Wheel Steel
Pressure Roller
MPS Pressure Roller Shaft
VME - VMM Pressure Roller Shaft
Günne Drive Wheel Aluminium
Günne Shuttle Male
Günne Shuttle Female
Frequently asked
Do your carbon rapiers fit VMM, MPS and VME looms?
Yes. The carbon rapier sets, male/female carbon rapiers and rapier heads (K1–K7) fit Van de Wiele VMM, MPS and VME velvet looms. Guides (K15, K16) and pressure roller shafts (K22 MPS, K23 VME-VMM) are model-specific.
Is a rapier head the same as a gripper?
In our catalogue, yes: the part at the tip of the rapier that holds the weft and meets the opposite head is the rapier head, also called a gripper. Male is K6, female is K7.
What exactly is meant by “carbon” spare parts?
On velvet looms it means the carbon rapier that carries the weft. The bare body is K4/K5, the complete rapier with head K2/K3, and the set K1.
Can I download a catalogue?
Yes, the link at the top of this page downloads a PDF catalogue with codes, names and photos of parts K1–K26.
Do you ship carbon rapiers internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide. Send the part code or a photo on WhatsApp for a quote and shipping time.
Related articles
Carbon rapier, rapier head, gripper: velvet loom terms explained
Carbon rapier, rapier bar, rapier head, gripper, shuttle: the same part? Weft insertion part names on velvet looms in English and Turkish, with codes.
Carbon rapier spare parts: every part of the weft insertion system
Carbon rapier spare parts for velvet looms: rapier sets, rapier heads, blocks, guides, plates and drive wheels. A coded guide for Van de Wiele and Günne looms.
Carbon rapier care: cleaning, inspection and storage
Make carbon rapiers on Van de Wiele velvet looms last: cleaning, crack inspection and correct storage. A practical guide to male/female rapiers and heads.
Other loom pages
Send a photo of the part, we quote it
No part number needed. Send a photo and the loom model on WhatsApp.