Hey, a newbie is here

[thehammer]

I just started taking fencing lessons at the university, and I wanted to know what the difference is between the saber, foil, and epee? At school we use the foil, and havent really heard about others, what do you all reccomend.


Adrian

[mrbiggs]

I just started taking fencing lessons at the university, and I wanted to know what the difference is between the saber, foil, and epee? At school we use the foil, and havent really heard about others, what do you all reccomend.


Adrian

There's a FAQ somewhere on the board for these types of questions, but I'll answer them quickly:

Foil, I assume you know about. Torso is target area. There is Right of Way. (Which will always be abbreviated RoW on this board)

Epee has the entire body as target area, and no RoW. It's much slower than the other two weapons, but sometimes much crazier. You must hit with the point. The bellguard is bigger than foil's.

Sabre has the top half of the body, including arms, as target area, and RoW similar to foil. In sabre, unlike foil and epee, you can hit with any part of the blade, not just the point. Sabre is the fastest of the weapons, with some bouts ending in seconds. The bellguard is desigened to defend against wrist cuts (hits).

Hope that answers your questions, for the most part.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Hiya!

As MrBiggs said, look around the site and esp. the FAQ. I'm sure you'll find answer to most of your 'basic' questions there.

...and welcome to the sport!

[Orangeaholic]

Welcome!!

I would reccomend EPEE!!!!!!!!!

[Coup de Grace]

Hammer welcome to sport and to the board. I hope that you get as much enjoyment from it as I do.

The most important thing to remember about all of the weapons is that Saber the most fun.

[Lefty1]

Coup de Grace just wishes he could take the right path to epee!

[thehammer]

Does anyone reccomend a good vendor.

[JackSparrow]

Does anyone reccomend a good vendor.

http://www.leonpaulusa.com/
Unless Duelist decide to sponsor me, in which case I'm jumping ship.

[mrbiggs]

Does anyone reccomend a good vendor.

Leon Paul USA is a great vendor, free shipping, high-quality site, lots of options to buy stuff.

The Fencing Post is a bit cheaper in general, and Blue Gauntlet is good if you live in the Eastern US for shipping time.

Other US vendors are Blade Fencing, and physical chess. I can't think of any more major vendors off the top of my head.

[Coup de Grace]

Remember too that if you join the USFA (you'll need to in order to compete) some vendors will ship discount coupons along with your membership. Those discount can in some cases off-set shipping costs.

Help the economy. Spend money.

[thehammer]

wow thanks everyone for the great response

[Lefty1]

Triplette is also a good vender. They're prices are probably the best for what you get. But of course, that's just me.

[BOBP]

Welcome to the board! I'm new here also. The vendor I use is PBT, but then again I'm Hungarian. Seriously, I have been real happy with their quality although it is a little pricey. Their site is www.fencepbt.com