wat is the difference between blade #s

[vincikai]

wat is the difference between blade #2 #4 and # 5

[rtran]

They basically represent the size of the blade.
2 are for kids and 5's are for adults and 4's are something else

[ShadowHuntr]

the size of the blade is how long it is. 2 is 32" 5 is 35" etc. if memory serves me correctly i believe in u-12 events a size 2 blade is required

[Aeric]

You want a #5.

My coach used a #4 for a while because of the increased point control, but he lost a good amount of blade length to compensate.

[akaiyuki]

My friend brought a #4 for fun a long while back, he didn't like it since he was too used to #5s and he has to adjust distances with the #4.
#4 does give you better tip control, and it is a little bit lighter since it's shorter, but with distance being an important aspect of fencing, I find no reason to go with a #4.

[Purple Fencer]

the size of the blade is how long it is. 2 is 32"

Donald....this one's yours, man!!

[edew]

A #5 is approximately 35 inches. Each number less than that is approximately an inch shorter, give or take about 1cm.

I use #4s exclusively in foil and found that any lack of distance can be easily compensated (it's not as though I hit just with the tippy tip-tip when using a #5). I recommend #4s for anyone who like to have more control. The change in reach is minimal, but the control is significant.

I wouldn't recommend a #4 for epee (don't think they make any).

#2 or #0 sized blades are required for Y10 events.

[klauver]

I used to fence with a guy with bad knees who used to use a #2 (32") blade and always closed distance to use the shorter blade for in fighting.

[FoilyGeezer]

I use #4s exclusively in foil and found that any lack of distance can be easily compensated (it's not as though I hit just with the tippy tip-tip when using a #5). I recommend #4s for anyone who like to have more control. The change in reach is minimal, but the control is significant.
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Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. Or always thought "longer is better". I've got the kid's No. 2's laying around. I'll have to conduct some empirical experiments.

[Tireur]

I use #4s exclusively in foil and found that any lack of distance can be easily compensated (it's not as though I hit just with the tippy tip-tip when using a #5). I recommend #4s for anyone who like to have more control. The change in reach is minimal, but the control is significant.

I do the same. Always had other fencers asking, "doesn't the shorter length put you at a disadvantage?"

No, I depend on my skills, not the length of my blade.

Some of you may use this in other aspects of life as well................

[edew]

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. Or always thought "longer is better". I've got the kid's No. 2's laying around. I'll have to conduct some empirical experiments.

A #2 blade is not necessarily good either, for control. It's so light that you might move it all over the place, not being able to control the blade, yet again.

[Bonehead]

I like a 5

I agree that you have more control with a 4, and that for most touches you don't really hit with the absolute tip, but lets face it, 1 inch is a lot. I definatly make touches on a regular basis where I would not have landed them with a shorter blade. Either they just beat the parry, or I am at a fully extended lunge.

As far as making tighter disengagements I am still trying to make my disenagements more in the fingers, and make the tip more alive, so I use a 5 just to give me the hand strength I need (also thinking about getting an epee blade to practice with just to strengthen my hand).

As far as I can tell instead of using a 4 I would just train a little more handwork so that you don't sacrafice control too much, and still have the benifit of a full length blade. (though I'm thinking of bringing a 4 around with me just in case there is someone who just parries to fast, or I want to play an infighting game with).

The other good use for a 4 is giving lessons. Its nice to give a complex riposte exchange knowing that your hand won't get tired and you can still push your student.

just my 2 cents

[FoilyGeezer]

A #2 blade is not necessarily good either, for control. It's so light that you might move it all over the place, not being able to control the blade, yet again.

I drilled with both blades (#5 and #2) last night, just to see if there was a noticeable difference, and there was. However I agree that the 2 may be a little too short to be practical. I tend to have a light touch, and found that I was having trouble making comfortable distance touches. I'll give using a No.4 a try when I build my next dry foil and then really try it out in a bout setting.

[Chris]

I used to fence with a guy with bad knees who used to use a #2 (32") blade and always closed distance to use the shorter blade for in fighting.

Sounds like Manny!
Except I thought he used to use a '0'

But I am sure there's more than one old guy in Orlando!

Have Fun!

[FoilyGeezer]

I did some bouting with a #2 last night and here's the result.

Pros-Point control and in-fighting were better controlled during attacks.

Cons-Weapon had no "heft" to it. Threw off the feel of where your weapon is (particularly during parries). I found myself having to look at my hand to see whether I'd parried adequately so I was blowing a lot of riposte opportunities. When I didn't look at my hand I was tending to over-parry (also lost riposte opportunities). Also the 2 inch difference in blade length made a noticeable difference when attacking at distance, so I found myself only commiting to full lunge attacks when I had a wide open target timed right. Timing is a lot more crucial with the shorter blade. There was little or no noticeable speed advantage.

I can see the advantage of using a #4, but the #2 would mean adjusting my style way too much.

[DHCJr]

Donald....this one's yours, man!!

I was gone on a cruise for my parents 50th wedding anniversary, so I haven't been able to answer this.

Here's the answer. The # on the blade means whatever the person who stamps the blade wants it to mean. Ask the lady in your life about the numbers on their clothes. Each brand, has their own sizes.

This to Eric and anyone else who run the youth tournament. If someone used a weapon with a blade with a #2 on their 90cm blade, could they use it? If you say no, then I would ask show me the rules.

A full length blade is NOT 35", it is 90cm which is OVER 35.4". If the organizers were to state that blades had to be less than 32", there would be no competition as I would expect at least 95% would be too long.

I have even asked Barry to check with the head of his forge if a #2 blade when it is assembled would be no more than 32" and it came back as no. Leon Paul tries to make their #2 bare blades around 32", but once it is assembled it will be over 32". But that is how one manufacturers makes their blades. Others have different a differenent status and some don't stamp their blades before.

Until the USFA, puts into writing what a #2 and #0 blade is, a competitor can take any blade and stamp a 2 on the blade and they should be able to use it.

Eric, I have tried getting some action from the Youth Committee through the chairman for over 2 years, now I am going to try going through you.

My suggestion is to use a maximum length of 84 or 83 cm.

[Purple Fencer]

Eric, I have tried getting some action from the Youth Committee through the chairman for over 2 years, now I am going to try going through you.

My suggestion is to use a maximum length of 84 or 83 cm.

But then you'd lose your best trick question!!!