Yet another foil question

[jimdesu]

I haven't fenced since I was in school, but have decided to return to the strip, and need to get a bunch of equipment. (Actually, I've got six months of footwork and point-control drill w/ my old dead foil to return to my prior incompetance first. )

Well, I'm seeing what people are fencing with nowadays, and wow are people's blades whippy! Some of the blades I'm seeing seem more apt for fly fishing than fencing, I presume for "flicking"? Our foil springs would hold an epee weight, and we never had to stop to straighten a blade(!). So my question is: what is the stiffest foil blade out there that'll hold up in competition, and where do I go to buy it?

thanks in advance

James

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I haven't fenced since I was in school, but have decided to return to the strip, and need to get a bunch of equipment. (Actually, I've got six months of footwork and point-control drill w/ my old dead foil to return to my prior incompetance first. )

Well, I'm seeing what people are fencing with nowadays, and wow are people's blades whippy! Some of the blades I'm seeing seem more apt for fly fishing than fencing, I presume for "flicking"? Our foil springs would hold an epee weight, and we never had to stop to straighten a blade(!). So my question is: what is the stiffest foil blade out there that'll hold up in competition, and where do I go to buy it?

thanks in advance

James

I've heard good reviews about the golubitsky pro from leon paul. Its supposed to be rather stiff. The fleche blades from physical chess are semi stiff. If you can get to a national event, check out the vniti foil blades, and see for yourself for flexibility. They are supposedly of different flexibility's, and you could get a stiff one. When ordering from a vendor, specify the stiffest blade.

[Pancakes]

EDIT: I suck and should read people's posts before posting.

[neevel]

The stiffest thing on the market I know of is the Lammet FIE blade- rather point heavy, though (that's related to the stiffness, since it doesn't have as much taper as most other blades). The usual recommendation for stiff blades is BF, available from Uhlmann, Allstar, Cartel, Absolute Fencing, Blue Gauntlet, Triplette, and others. They have a much better balance and livelier feel than the Lammets. BFs are pricier than other blades, though, and usually only of average durability (depending a lot on how you hit). The Leon Paul G-pros are also stiff, but they have some flexibility in the foible. Like other LP blades, they're very durable but also have a tendency to take and hold kinks.

-Dave

[jimdesu]

I've read through the armory section here and the discussions are a total alphabet soup -- thanks for the advice. Stiff & point-heavy is exactly what I'm looking for.