A question for Bebop and other Italian Fencers

[D'Artagnan1673]

Bebop,

How have your France Lames Italin blades held up? I'd really like to give the school a try, but I am leary about spending so much money on blades if they are made by a company that is synonomous with poor quality.

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

My blades are simply fine. Maybe the problem only exists with french blades, or practice ones. Just remember, electric italian foils only come with bayonet sockets, I think.

[slosher]

I have two electric italian blades, one with a false ricasso with a TCA french blade and one with FL blades. Although they are both bayonet plugs, you can also get them in two prong from american fencing supply. So far I haven't found them to be any worse than my old pistol electrics. The italian blade with the false ricasso does work well (and being a heck of a lot cheaper as well) but I am constantly experimenting with different ricassos (copper tubing). As long as there is siginificant contact between the tang and the false ricasso you do get some sensation from the blade.

[It]

I fence Itatlian and have for years!( thus my name "It" ) The Lame' France blades that I own are two prong. I had three for about two years and they held up pretty well! The only Problem is if you want them FIE rated it costs a heck of alot more, If your able to find them . The blades from triplette are not true Italians by the way. The blades they use are french blades that are just rigged with the rings that are very uncomfortable and a small pipe covering the tang to seperate the bell from the grip. A true Italian fencer fences with the feel of the tang on the index, middle finger, and thumb. A little sensation of the tang isn't worth it. You might as well use a french with a martingale. I would go into detail but it would take to long.