Lighter Epee

[Fencergrl]

I want to get a new Epee blade with an ortho grip. I currently use a cheap Chinese blade for practise and a BF blade for competitions. I really like the BF blade, but Leon Paul’s lightweight marging blade w/a lightweight guard intrigues me.

Any advice anyone can offer me? Also is there a difference in body wires? After a year of use, it doesn’t seem to always work properly

*****I just want to add that I'm quite new to this sport- 2 years. These are the only two blades I have ever used. I tend to parry and beat, I have a strong arm and tend to fight aggressively. I like the BF, just because it doesn't get bent out of shape like my cheap blade. Any recommendations?

[keith]

so I have never used the LP lightweight epee, but their light weight guards are indeed lightweight. Not perhaps as nice as the allstar ones but that hasn't stopped me buying and using them.

bodycords are all the same for epee. If your cord is acting up check for breaks just behind the plug (if it is a see through wire) - pull the wire gently and you may see the gap appear. Otherwise just open up the plug and check the link between wire and pin, corrosion can build up here, or they can just loosen off over time - any sign of this just snip the wire back a little and reattach (just make sure the pin to pin connections are matched between the two plugs). If you have opaque wire and the cleaning of the pin contacts doesn't work just cut the wire an inch back from where it goes into the socket and reassemble.

[DangerMouse]

If you like the BF, you probably won't like the Leon Paul blades. They are much more flexible along the entire length of the blade than the BFs. Although they are lighter, the LP also tend to feel more tip heavy than the BF. I've found the StM maraging to be a little lighter than the BF with a similar feel (the BF are better, but for the difference in price...). The lightest feeling blades I've ever used are the the Prier maraging. They are very light and very stiff, which translates into short lived. But, they feel reallly nice.

[CvilleFencer]

I switched over from the BF FIE blades to the LP non-FIE blades for the weight and the fact that the LP blades last forever and cost half as much. They also hold their shape very well and hardle ever require straightening... or maybe I am just getting better! The feel takes a bit of getting used to but a lot of people who switch over love them. Actually DangerMouse is the only person I know of who have tried them and then went back, but that is hardly indicitive since there are only about 20 people in my division other than myself that use them and they are not super well known in the us.

The Prieur PS blades are super light and have a very good feel, but as mentioned they do not last as long as others and have to be straightened a fair amoung. Still, they can be had very cheap for and FIE blade and the ones that I used lasted around 4-6 months which is about what I got with a BF blade.

[DangerMouse]

Just to give the reasons I switched away from the LP blades:

I used them exclusively for about 6 years because they significantly outlast every other blade. I broke one blade a year between 4 weapons (average blade life was around 4 years).

As I've reached a higher level of competition and decided to try a world cup, I needed to buy FIE blades. Given the cost of the LP FIE blades, I figured I'd try a number of others as long as I needed to buy a bunch of new blades.

What I found is that even the stiffest LP blade I've ever owned was far more flexible than the StM, BF, or Prieur FIE blades. What this translates into is that I have better point control and tighter ripostes with conventional blades than I do with the LP. I also found I was more tempted to flick with the LP because I couldn't hit angulated ripostes as easily. The tip took too long to stabilize after a parry, so I would end up flicking to make the riposte sooner.

Pretty much the trade off is that I've gotten to the point fencing where blade feel is more important than durability.

[CvilleFencer]

Cool! I had wondered why you switched but had never asked for some reason. Not being anywhere near you level just yet I will stick with the LP's for now, although I think I do see what you are saying. For feel I have always thought the BF blue FIE blades were tops for me, but I am not at the level yet where it makes enough of a differance to justify the price. One day though... I hope!

[Barry Paul]

Unfortunately nearly all new maraging epee blades except our which have the flexibility marked on them start by being non F.I.E. regulation stiffness. They are all too stiff to pass the Flexibility test. We can make our blades like this but what would we mark them as?

[veeco]

Actually DangerMouse is the only person I know of who have tried them and then went back, but that is hardly indicitive since there are only about 20 people in my division other than myself that use them and they are not super well known in the us.

Actually I was just discussing this with a friend of mine last saturday and he told me that he tried the LP blades for a while and then went back to BF.

I think I might by one LP blade one of these days to try it.

[glowstix]

Also is there a difference in body wires? After a year of use, it doesn’t seem to always work properly

yes there's a difference in body cords. i know!! a body cord cost me my C (yes I BLAME THE BODY CORD since it had intermittent connection with the reel plug!!).
now i'm using the cool LP body cords with the offset pin design but uhlmanns are also good. give up the $60 US to get them, its worth it.

[Fencergrl]

Love your signature line glowstix! I need it tattooed to the inside of my eyelids for when I sleep.

[fencinman89]

now i'm using the cool LP body cords with the offset pin design but uhlmanns are also good. give up the $60 US to get them, its worth it.

Im pretty sure you got ripped off if you paid 60 USD for an LP, i paid aroun 60 for 2. where did u buy from? But yes they are the best b/cs around.
-Tre'

[cameroncrazy323]

I just got a new LP blade, and I love it. I used it for the first time against an opponent last night and it felt awesome. Despite having my patella dislocated about 3 weeks ago, I was able to pull somethings off that I had been practicing. I think I was able to do well with the blade right off because I have been able to do nothing but sit around and do blade work with it (I ordered the weapon right before I got injured). It has amazing feel, and I never had to bend the blade back into shape after some weird touches that I normally would have.

[telkanuru]

The LP blades are excellent for flicking, as they are flexible when needed but keep the point on for parrys, binds, etc. However, they are so light I find it difficult to do a proper beat with them.

[glowstix]

Im pretty sure you got ripped off if you paid 60 USD for an LP, i paid aroun 60 for 2. where did u buy from? But yes they are the best b/cs around.
-Tre'

sorry, i meant $60 for two uhlmanns since you're often required to have more than one body cord at tournaments.

[glowstix]

Love your signature line glowstix! I need it tattooed to the inside of my eyelids for when I sleep.

........................

[aidyboi]

I want to get a new Epee blade with an ortho grip. I currently use a cheap Chinese blade for practise and a BF blade for competitions. I really like the BF blade, but Leon Paul’s lightweight marging blade w/a lightweight guard intrigues me.

Any advice anyone can offer me? Also is there a difference in body wires? After a year of use, it doesn’t seem to always work properly

*****I just want to add that I'm quite new to this sport- 2 years. These are the only two blades I have ever used. I tend to parry and beat, I have a strong arm and tend to fight aggressively. I like the BF, just because it doesn't get bent out of shape like my cheap blade. Any recommendations?

Hhmmm. . . I just got a LP maraging with all the lightweight stuff and its fantastic - if a little expensive. I've been fencing about the same length of time but have quite a different style to the one you described so I don't know if it would suit you or not. Is there a LP shop in america where you could try one, or do they do stalls at competitions your side of the pond?

[fencinman89]

sorry, i meant $60 for two uhlmanns since you're often required to have more than one body cord at tournaments.

That makes more sense. I was just making sure.
-Tre'