Question about colored bell gaurds.

[Draconis]

I recently painted my bell gaurd a gold color and asked my fencing coach and a few of the assistant coaches, and I got some mixed replies. Some said that it wasn't competition legal and a considerd a distraction according to the rules. So my question to you, the gods of fencing,: is painting my bell gaurd gold against the rules? It's not a shiny gold, more of a rust tint. The pommel that came with the sword is gold. That's why I thought it was okay(I wanted the pommel and gaurd to match)

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I recently painted my bell gaurd a gold color and asked my fencing coach and a few of the assistant coaches, and I got some mixed replies. Some said that it wasn't competition legal and a considerd a distraction according to the rules. So my question to you, the gods of fencing,: is painting my bell gaurd gold against the rules? It's not a shiny gold, more of a rust tint. The pommel that came with the sword is gold. That's why I thought it was okay(I wanted the pommel and gaurd to match)

as long as it conducts electricity.

[Purple Fencer]

as long as it conducts electricity.

Correct....the guard must be able to conduct electricity...otherwise, if you opponent lands on your bell guard and it's foil, an off target light will show...if it's epee, a VALID light will show and you're scored on.

In a properly working circuit (regardless of weapon), any shot that hits the guard should go into the socket bracket and them into the C line...straight to ground.

As far as being a distraction....that's probably a judge's call.

[mrbiggs]

I recently painted my bell gaurd a gold color and asked my fencing coach and a few of the assistant coaches, and I got some mixed replies. Some said that it wasn't competition legal and a considerd a distraction according to the rules. So my question to you, the gods of fencing,: is painting my bell gaurd gold against the rules? It's not a shiny gold, more of a rust tint. The pommel that came with the sword is gold. That's why I thought it was okay(I wanted the pommel and gaurd to match)

It'd be really neat if pictures and stuff could go on it. But my epee stuff never works as it is, so it'd have to be a foil-only thing.

[neevel]

Everyone above has got it-- so long as it conducts, can catch a point, is smooth and "not too bright", it's fine. You could also have some designs on it, so long as nobody decided it was against the publicity code or in some otherway presented a distraction to other fencers. Cody Mattern, for example, had a couple of epees this last year with red and blue stars painted on the guard, and those were fine. A caricature of the FIE president with the blade coming out of his mouth and the phrase "Eat This Rene" around the edge of the guard probably wouldn't be kosher.

-Dave

[AndrewH]

Actually BG sells a dark gold epee guard, and it's competition legal. As long as your opponent can't deem it a distraction it's fine (basically just no pictures or neon colors, flashing lights, etc). I spraypainted my sabre guard black once, and it looked REALLY cool... til I took it to the club that night. Unless you shellac the hell out of that thing (and even then Im not sure) the paint will chip off and then it looks crappy. Just buy the BG guard, it won't chip and has the color you're looking for.

[Purple Fencer]

A caricature of the FIE president with the blade coming out of his mouth and the phrase "Eat This Rene" around the edge of the guard probably wouldn't be kosher.

-Dave

Funny, tho!