BF FIE Epee blades... WTH?

[Lemberg]

Is it just me or are the newer BF FIE blades (plain white ones) are breaking like toothpicks these days? I broke two this week that were less than two months old an dthey were picked out from a couple of hundred blades by two very experienced fencers (one of them was Laurie Shong) at a warehouse in Europe!!!! All of the BFs that I picked out myself over the last 2 years had similar fates - break within 3-4 months pretty well in the same spot - where the weak part of teh blade is starting to turn into the middle... Is it just me or is someone else having similar problems? is it possible that it's just a problem with teh way I thrust? Any opinions?
Thanks

[JEC]

I have broken two in the last 2 months (Uhlmann white BF FIE stamped 5-05) at about 3-4 inches from the tip. Another two blades (of the 5-05) bent fairly easily in upward manner in that location. This is also very unusual.

My son broke three similar blades (stamped 12-02) that I had used fairly frequently in a matter of 3 weeks in March-April. He was going through a growth spur. I still have two 12-02 blades and six 5-05 blades.

I think is a batch problem. The 12-02 were pretty good.

[Lemberg]

Hm.. maybe.. But the place and upward bending you are describing are exactly what happened to me.. except I had similar luck with 03s and 04s I had.... I love their balance and sturdyness, but buying one of the most expenisve blades and having it last for two months... I don't think it's woth it.... Hopefully the other two brand new ones I have will last a bit longer....

[Durando]

Yep. Broke one yesterday....

[fencinman89]

Sounds like a batch problem.
-Tre'

[KD5MDK]

So, what date range are we looking at on the batch?

[Fencergrl]

Lemberg, do a search on this site. I remember someone mentioning a few months ago that manufacturers will test the broken blade. If it is a manufacturing defect, they will replace it. Might be worth looking into.

[fencinman89]

That sounds very professional of the company.
-Tre'

[noodle]

Lemberg, do a search on this site. I remember someone mentioning a few months ago that manufacturers will test the broken blade. If it is a manufacturing defect, they will replace it. Might be worth looking into.

this is true.
but you pay shipping on the broken ones.

[great bowyer]

this is true.
but you pay shipping on the broken ones.

this is true, but if they do find a defect, it would be cheaper than buying a new blade. on the other hand, if it is not a defect, then you will know it must be something on your end that you could fix. as a result you will break less blades and still save money by going through fewer blades.