Difference between BF, SM, FS foil blades

[reposte]

Is there any way other than "you just have to feel it" way of explaining what is the difference between BF, SM, FS foil blades?
Are there noticable differences in the feel of the blade that are unanimous and can be verbally described?

[Namir]

SM? Do you mean StM?

BF is Blaise fares, and are tripplet, uhalmann, and allstar blades. and can be stiffer the StM blades

StM has the S(a sword for the T) and M at the base, the are fairly light while BF are a bit heavier, StM tend to get funky bends (non-FIE).

[reposte]

No , I don't mean stm, you can chack at the Uhlmann Allstar websites to see whaich I mean.

[Wraith]

Allstar and Uhlmann call them SM or MtS blades, but they're made at the StM forge in the ukraine. I haven't used any FS blades, but StM tends to be lighter, whereas the BF blades tend towards being a tad stiff.

[Epee Scherma]

While we're on the subject of forge's abbreviations, does anyone know what ACG is? It is distributed by blue gauntlet. They make some gloves and bells.

[Namir]

Allstar and Uhlmann call them SM or MtS blades, but they're made at the StM forge in the ukraine. I haven't used any FS blades, but StM tends to be lighter, whereas the BF blades tend towards being a tad stiff.

Yes, Yes, Never dought me again

[neevel]

BF blades are generally on the stiff side. StM blades are a bit lighter, and more flexible (I've got one that's quite whippy, in fact). If found that StM blades are rather prone to taking and holding kinks (FIE blades, in my case). Once they've got a kink they're liable to break there, and even if they don't you'll probably wind up wanting to replace the blade since it will continue to re-kink at that point.

I've not use the new FS (Scaroni forge, now re-opened under Uhlmann's ownership), but if they're like the old Scaroni blades they'll also be lighter and softer than BFs.

In the final analysis I prefer BFs, but blade preference isn't something that can be given as an absolute.

[Namir]

You can always specify wow light or heavy you want the blade. StM just seem to really bend funky, and when mine broke it broke into 4 pieces

If you do decided to order a BF, try buying from Triplette, they are the same make as allstar and Uhalman but cheaper, plus I love triplettes service, I ordered my BF (FIE), gold maraging, from them and got it in days with no problems.

Note: Triplettes page dosn't actually say BF anywhere but the discription, so for those that dont like reading those thats what the "Triplette" blades are. Becouse I know Uhalman and allstar say BF in the name

[Artisan]

I have an STM that has taken a kink and another that despite pretty bad bends seems to love to straighten right out and behave as before...I really think this tendancy has more to do with how you do the damage (and restraighten it) and the slight variation from blade to blade than it does with being a characteristic of the brand overall.

As for a blade breaking into four pieces...that must have been some hit, perhaps pushing the blade into an "s" curve at the time, but that is acually a good sign, for two reasons: The blade was made well enough that the load was distributed along a large portion of its length, regardless of the change in cross section, and that as it wore out the micro-cracks that initiate a break were also well distributed along the blade rather than in one zone that became a weak spot. Plus, by falling into four pieces, the blade bcame substantially shorter, reducing the chance of the the piece remaining in your hand being long enough to potentially puncture your target.

I stand by my choice of the StM FIE epee blades as being a good blade for the money.

[neevel]

If you do decided to order a BF, try buying from Triplette, they are the same make as allstar and Uhalman but cheaper, plus I love triplettes service, I ordered my BF (FIE), gold maraging, from them and got it in days with no problems.

Note: Triplettes page dosn't actually say BF anywhere but the discription, so for those that dont like reading those thats what the "Triplette" blades are. Becouse I know Uhalman and allstar say BF in the name

FIE blades from Triplette do have the BF homolgation stamp on them. One thing to keep in mind is that Uhlmann and Allstar get first pick on runs of blades coming from the BF forge, and so you're somewhat less likely to get a dud blade in exchange for the higher price. If you can hand pick your blades at a tournament booth this isnt as much of an issue.

-Dave

[CvilleFencer]

While we're on the subject of forge's abbreviations, does anyone know what ACG is? It is distributed by blue gauntlet. They make some gloves and bells.

How about A Cheap Guard, or Another Chinese Glove?

[Namir]

I have an STM that has taken a kink and another that despite pretty bad bends seems to love to straighten right out and behave as before...I really think this tendancy has more to do with how you do the damage (and restraighten it) and the slight variation from blade to blade than it does with being a characteristic of the brand overall.

As for a blade breaking into four pieces...that must have been some hit, perhaps pushing the blade into an "s" curve at the time, but that is acually a good sign, for two reasons: The blade was made well enough that the load was distributed along a large portion of its length, regardless of the change in cross section, and that as it wore out the micro-cracks that initiate a break were also well distributed along the blade rather than in one zone that became a weak spot. Plus, by falling into four pieces, the blade bcame substantially shorter, reducing the chance of the the piece remaining in your hand being long enough to potentially puncture your target.

I stand by my choice of the StM FIE epee blades as being a good blade for the money.

I agree the blade was a favorite blade of mine and what happened was I attacked and my opponet stepped forward and countered, and my blade cought on the sleeve of his jacket, as he advanced, and the blade just bent upward and... boom... My StM exploded
oh... and it was a foil

And for good prices on StM equipment try www.Shopeli.com I have never ordered from them but they are cheap, however they dont sell fully assembled weapons.

[reposte]

I won'tbuy from triplette because I think the charges to my place will out do the low price. In my case 'll probably order a PBT.

I have a FS (rather like it) and I think it is rather stiff, I don't think I need any stiffer, however I was trying to make out some design differences from pictures on the PBT site and it seems the BF is wider at the base of the forte part and I thought it might make it more like a Golubitsky Pro in terms of balance.
Any comments?

[Namir]

My BF I have is not too stiff but more of a... comfortable medium, In My Opinion...
The center of weight is very close to the forte and allows for has great tip controll.
The blade itself is light.

I have never used a Golubitsky pro to compare it to...

[reposte]

Thanks For the responses.

[reposte]

I just looked at the mark on what I usually call "my crappy blade" and was amazed to fing out that it had a "sTm" in it...
My best loved foil is an FS.
So here's what I've figured out:
SM, very light, very flicky.
FS much stronger and heavier (although I never think weight is an issue with proper tecnique)
BF a little stronger then FS, maybe somewhat different in balance? Or is there a big difference between FS and BF?