ground down blades for sale

[Joe biebel]

I recently posted about the availability of #4 length maraging blades. I noted that Triplette now had #4 Vnity maraging blades available and I ordered three. I received them on Friday and was very surprised to find that they were ground down maraging #5 blades. See Attached photos. I initially incorrectly assumed that that Triplette had done this. While looking for other vendors that might carry #4 length blades I got an order from Absolute for some other things. In their included advertisement was a notice that they now have #4 length Vnity maraging blades. I went to the websight, found the item and downloaded the photo. Same thing, a ground down #5 blade. I find this highly questionable. While it appears that neither Absolute or Triplette are altering these maraging blades on their own, someone is and apparently thinks it is okay.

As you can see in my photos, the FIE mark is now gone, the base is smaller than normal, the factory threading is now an inch short, and the grinding is uneven, allowing one "face" of the rectangular blade to touch the guard before the others. I'm quite unpleasantly surprised. What do you think about this approach to "shortening" a blade?

[Zilverzmurfen]

What do you think about this approach to "shortening" a blade?

Bad!

Being an épéeist, of course I wouldn't buy a foil, but I particularly wouldn't buy a maraging blade without the FIE stamp!

[epeeisky]

I would send those back, it does not seem good that they dround off the FIE mark. Also I am not sure of the safety of those weapons beause of the grinding.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Reference to m.1

All methods of treating the blade between the tip and the guard by filing, grinding or other methods are forbidden. These blades are illegal under USFA regulations.

[oiuyt]

Reference to m.1

All methods of treating the blade between the tip and the guard by filing, grinding or other methods are forbidden. These blades are illegal under USFA regulations.

Note that the grinding in question does not take place between the tip and the guard. These blades ARE legal for USFA competition (although without the FIE stamp not for FIE competition) AFAICT.

-B

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Note that the grinding in question does not take place between the tip and the guard. These blades ARE legal for USFA competition (although without the FIE stamp not for FIE competition) AFAICT.

-B

They ground the FIE stamp off. The stamp is usually between the tip and the guard, is it not?

[JEC]

Note that the grinding in question does not take place between the tip and the guard. These blades ARE legal for USFA competition (although without the FIE stamp not for FIE competition) AFAICT.

-B

Sorry for being picky but technically there are a few mm of filing between the tip and the guard because the face of the blade it is not even.

... the grinding is uneven, allowing one "face" of the rectangular blade to touch the guard before the others.

[oiuyt]

They ground the FIE stamp off. The stamp is usually between the tip and the guard, is it not?

They ground it off because the base of the blade (the bell) was moved closer to the tip. The space that normally would have the FIE shield is no longer there, hence the shield is gone, unlike some blades from a decade ago that had a shallow groove ground removing a part of the shield (removing the name of the forge originally stamped there).

JEC- depending on how one cants that can be true without grinding -- or could make a poorly ground blade, such as Joe describes, potentially lie flat on the bell. I suspect that this wouldn't be desireable however. I don't see any indication that there's been grinding beyond the part of the blade that forms a shoulder intended to touch the outside surface of the guard (post grinding, obviously this shoulder has been moved about an inch towards the tip of the blade).

-B

[fencinman89]

This is perfectly legal. While in colorado Dan showed us this technique for when the Tang of the blade has been cut too short. When the blade is assembled, The grinding is no longer between the Tip and the guard, it is behind the guard.
-Tre'

[Joe biebel]

This is perfectly legal. While in colorado Dan showed us this technique for when the Tang of the blade has been cut too short. When the blade is assembled, The grinding is no longer between the Tip and the guard, it is behind the guard.
-Tre'

While it can be argued that it is "legal" from a USFA rule standpoint, I do not see how it could still be an FIE blade with the FIE mark removed. Further, I highly doubt an FIE blade that listed the grinding modification, would be as desireable as a blade "designed" to be a #4 length blade. At any rate, I think it should be incumbent upon the seller of such an item, to make it clear what you are getting. I surely would not have ordered these blades, altered in this fashion. Yes, I do intend to return them.

I have also altered broken blades where the tang was too short for a handle to keep it from being a total loss. I would not, however, order one that was shortened.

[penguin_2000]

to be fair, absolute sells their #4 Vniti's in the non-FIE section... but we now have an explanation as to why the #4's cost more than the #5's.

[Joe biebel]

to be fair, absolute sells their #4 Vniti's in the non-FIE section... but we now have an explanation as to why the #4's cost more than the #5's.

Perhaps they do sell a nonmaraging #4 blade by Vnity, I do not know their entire stock. But this (http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...2fa7723ad73550 ) is the item I was refering to. Just so you know, I think the world of the people at Triplette and of Course, Amanda, and Absolute Fencing Gear. I just don't think they have thought carrying this particular (and IMHO) product through.

[Mr Epee]

Joe,

Maraging doesn't mean FIE...

The photos you posted appear to be milled down, not ground.

I'm not sure this is a big deal... and I don't see how it could adversely effect the integrety of the blade.

[Joe biebel]

Joe,

Maraging doesn't mean FIE...

The photos you posted appear to be milled down, not ground.

I'm not sure this is a big deal... and I don't see how it could adversely effect the integrety of the blade.

I think there are blades that are not maraging that are FIE, but I don't believe there is any blade that is maraging that is not FIE. As to the integrity of the blade, I could not comment from personal knowledge. But as to it still being FIE after the stamp is milled or ground off, I highly doubt it. Perhaps milling is less likely to affect blade temper etc., again, I do not know. I can't fault any company for selling such a blade, but I think it is illadvised to do so without letting the customer know it is an altered blade that will no longer carry the FIE stamp.

[Mr Epee]

I followed the link you provided, and didn't see anyone claiming that this was an FIE-approved blade.

The new V4 Vnity foil blade! This ultra light foil blade is designed for serious youth fencer and the blade is made in Maraging. It is lighter, safer, holds better, less breakage, and more manuverable.

Maraging refers to the composition of the blade.

[fencinman89]

I dont see how these blades could be "safer, or less breakage." Possiblty becasue there are smaller possibly weaker people using them?
-Tre'

[Joe biebel]

I followed the link you provided, and didn't see anyone claiming that this was an FIE-approved blade.


Maraging refers to the composition of the blade.

As I stated before, I'm not sure about the maraging term being used for a non-FIE blade. I kind of think you are wrong on that point but don't really care. I am not taking issue with the Absolute on this product or their advertisement. I did not order from Absolute, I ordered from Triplette. When I ordered the request was specifically for FIE maraging blades. I guess my point is, that if I had wanted a ground or milled down, altered #5 five blade, then that is what I would have ordered. I do believe the blade is maraging and I also believe it was an FIE blade, but is not FIE any longer.

[Joe biebel]

I dont see how these blades could be "safer, or less breakage." Possiblty becasue there are smaller possibly weaker people using them?
-Tre'

Less breakage is not a stretch here. The safer aspect is true in that the quality of the blade and the steel is maraging. The number of bend cycles before failure should be a great deal better than a standard carbon steel blade. They are being advertised for youth fencers beacuase of the "lightness" and control they will allow to a more petite fencer. Just give a full description of the blade and let the potential buyers decide if this is really what they want.

[Gav]

Were you sold it as FIE? If not then what is the problem? Maraging just refers to the steel. Some manufacturers do make smaller blades (although they are hard to get hold of) or at least used to.

If you have been sold these as FIE then I would sending in a complaint.

[fencinman89]

I meant safer as size 5 opposed to size 4, I know FIE blades ARE safer and DO break less.
-Tre'