Lightweight vs Regular Sabre guards

[AGLkenshi]

how much more durable is Leon Paul's light guard compared to the regular one? I like the lightness of the weapon, but if its gonna be made of some cheap sheetmetal and will tear to shreds after a few parries then i don't think its worth the $40 tag. Can someone tell me the general usage for lightweight guards? i.e. is it for more advanced saberists who don't rely on as much blade contact/parries? because right now I'm just starting out (but regularly compete at a college level)

[AGLkenshi]

hmmm i meant, "how much less durable is the light guard than the regular"

[CvilleFencer]

If it is made by LP it IS NOT going to tear to shreds after a few parries. They do not last as long, and your milege may vary but I would say they last about 60-75% as long as thier normal guards, but it really depends on your style. If you are mostly a distance parry guy who takes things on the blade it will last a good long while, and for that matter a cheap lightweight guard will last a few months. If you have poor distance and find yourself banging guards and taking powerful hits on the guard repeatedly you will have a shorter life out of almost anything you use.

I am only a recreational saberist as epee is my primary weapon, but I have had a lightweight guard on a weapon I use for lessons, drills and such for about 6 months now and it is doing fine, but I am one of those distance parry/ take hits on the blade kind of guys. I am sure some of the better saberists who get some heavy use out of them can give you a more complete answer.

[Welted 24/7]

Take care of it the same way you'd take care of a normal sabre guard- don't smash guards, don't bellpunch anyone unless they deserve it, and don't get the forte on the guard too much. It should stay just fine like that, as long as it doesn't get too much abuse.

[whtouche]

Not worth it. Lasted maybe a year or so of regular, proper use.
You could not accurately say that it lasts 65-75% as long as regular guards as I have never had a guard deform and crack and bend like this one did.
It was great while it lasted, but it got severely beat out of shape it's not legal any more. In addition to the dings there's a crack/cut halfway up to the center where the blade is.
I definitely recommend their regular guards, I love them.
But the lightweight ones are just not worth it.

[Illini5596]

The following is an obligatory epeeist remark.

What!?!?!?!? People who fence Sabre actually parry!?!?!?!? I thought all you did was scream and jump at your opponent smacking about wildly with your blade!?!?!?!?

Note: In case it wasn't clear I know the above is blatently untrue, it's just fun to say it

[Inquartata]

Of all the weapons, I thought epeeists parried the least! Bounce and jab, bounce and counter, bounce and stop-thrust. Get the guard in the way of an opponent's point. Esquive. But parry?

[sabreur]

To return this thread to its original topic, after the obligatory epee kibitzing (ever notice how people who have no concept are the ones with opinions?) and Quart response (some people suffer from logorrhea).

I have several bells from the late 70s, early 80s, which are as light as the new ones, but much, much more durable--no deformation, no cracks....

So the question is: why are sabre bells in general so shoddy these days?






The answer, of course, is that no one would make money selling you a bell that lasted ten years.....

MR