In einer eMail vom 9/27/2005 8:58:58 PM W. Europe Daylight Time schreibt
jfarmer@goldsword.com:

many male sport fencers aren't wearing the protectors to allow the
tip to slide off (which really only works if the protectors is worn outside
of the jacket), but rather to stop bruising and potential sternum fractures.




I heard about the chest protector tactic last week on a visit to the States,
in conversation with my old sport fencing coach. But what happened to a
good plastron? Apparently safety issues have evolved into a tactic: "It's
worth at least five touches," I was told one coach had bragged. I do not,
honestly, know what the devices used are but clearly the hardened surface does have
a tendency to work against the new foil tip. It certainly would do so
underneath my way-too-expensive Allstar FIE jacket! The fabric's already
designed to deflect less than perfect arm and wrist hits. And--this was in
Florida--awareness of it apparently is spreading. I can certainly inquire for more
details.

I'm not sure about the relevance of historical precedent. Certainly in the
days of very sharp weapons, both chest plates and mail were not uncommon, as
were padded garments. If, though, you look at the surviving visual material
on the 19th and early 20th century century duel, it was not uncommon for
duelists to fight bare-chested or with shirts unbuttoned!

Bill Leckie
_flanconade@aol.com_ (mailto:flanconade@aol.com)
_soestfechten@aol.com_ (mailto:soestfechten@aol.com)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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