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Foil Blade Review: StM Foil Blades |
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Written by James Faine
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Thursday, 15 February 2007 |
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James Faine provides a brief review of the StM foil blades. This is one of a five part series on FIE foil blades. Their are three, arguably five, of the most common "high level" foil blades on the market. Only a couple of which are really well known in the US. They all have certain strengths and attributes.
StM foil blades are made in the Ukraine (former USSR), and most of us have probably used them rather we know it or not. They are the most commonly private labeled of any blade out there and are sold under Uhlmann/Allstar, Fleche, PBT, Negrinni, Triplette and Duelist labels, among others.
They tend to be a bit heavier than BF blades and are thicker blades. They have a decent lifespan, but as they are used they become more and more flexible. This can be seen as bad for the obvious reasons or as good as it gives you and indicator of when the blade needs to be replaced before you skewer somebody.
Depending on where you get them, they are some of the most affordable FIE foil blades and offer decent overall performance. I think they are a top by for club use, but if you want an FIE blade I think there are better options.
James Faine is the Director and Coach of the Charlottesville Fencing Alliance, Head Coach of the Buford and Grymes Middle School fencing clubs and Vice Chair of the VA Division, USFA. Coach Faine fences competitively in Division 1/Open USFA events and is also a Referee and Armouer. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 May 2007 )
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