Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Mizore · 10-13-2005, 10:38 PM

I've been very interested in saber since I first saw it in the film "Sunshine" several years ago. But when I first took up fencing here there were very few saber fencers and fewer teachers. Since starting, I'm still quite novice, I've been fencing epee and love it. But I am still interested in saber. So I have a few questions.

1. I'm 41 but in decent shape. It looks much more physically intense than epee. Is 41 too old to start saber? And are there many veterans out there fencing saber?

2. I'm looking at a starter set from Absolute Fencing. Is this kit good enough for starting out? Here's the link.

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...1f443aab52fded

Also any feedback about saber would be great to hear too.

Cheers,

Mizore

mrbiggs · 10-13-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizore

1. I'm 41 but in decent shape. It looks much more physically intense than epee. Is 41 too old to start saber? And are there many veterans out there fencing saber?

a. no b. yes

You're never too old to start any weapon. You might find that you have a hard time keeping up with the younger sabereurs, but if you want to fence sabre, go for it.

Inquartata · 10-13-2005, 10:55 PM

That old saying about age and guile springs to mind.

Yes, sabre is much more physical that foil or epee, until you reach the higher levels in the latter two weapons. That's half the fun.

You can go to the USFA website and look at the list of fencers on the Veteran ( over 40 ) points lists. There are plenty of older sabre fencers out there. Some of them even give the younkers a run for their money.

Peach · 10-13-2005, 11:38 PM

I started at 43 and have been fencing sabre for eleven years, and I've had quite a run of successes. Yes, my physical condition isn't going to be what it was and every year I get a little slower, but between then and now I've won my share of medals and been able to participate in a wide variety of tournaments.

I also think sabre is the ideal veteran weapon. Your footwork can be short (unlike foil) and the bouts don't last forever (unlike epee). It's really intense but you can catch your breath in between touches

Black Jeebus · 10-14-2005, 12:01 AM

We actually have a fencer in our club who basically told me the same thing Peach said. He said he switched to fencing sabre more than the others just cause he didn't have the endurance for the other two anymore.

KD5MDK · 10-14-2005, 04:11 AM

Quote:

1. I'm 41 but in decent shape. It looks much more physically intense than epee. Is 41 too old to start saber? And are there many veterans out there fencing saber?

I am 22. There is a ~65 or 70 year old man who can whip my *** regularly in sabre nearby.

daveappr · 10-14-2005, 09:09 AM

Our club has an 83 year old who still likes to whip up on the youngsters in sabre, epee too for that matter. Peter Folgner from West Branch is also up there and he still kicks butt. You're not too old to start..

Aeric · 10-14-2005, 01:08 PM

Folgner kicks most people's @$$ quite thouroughly on a daily basis.

JackOfHearts · 10-15-2005, 03:44 AM

There's this one lady at my club that's about... 45... and she kicks my *** constantly in saber (I think I have a bruise somewhere on my side from our last bout. Haven't checked yet, but its tender). She knows a lot of good manuevers, and is a good teacher. Hopefully you'll find someone like that at your club.

A couple of questions about saber though: I know crossovers aren't legal, but what about passato sotto? Secondly, where can a guy find an old fasioned saber Jacket? The kind that stops at the waist. Not that I wish to fence in one (I know they're not legal) but I think it would be a swift item to have.

rcmatthews · 10-15-2005, 04:11 AM

Uhlmann has them.

KD5MDK · 10-15-2005, 04:19 AM

Passato soto is legal, but risky, as you're exposing a hell of a lot of target area and is very hard to parry from. Also, sabre cuts are easier to follow you down with, as opposed to point attacks.

JackOfHearts · 10-15-2005, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Passato soto is legal, but risky, as you're exposing a hell of a lot of target area and is very hard to parry from. Also, sabre cuts are easier to follow you down with, as opposed to point attacks.

I thought as much. But I like to live... <.< >.> Dangerously.

sabreur · 10-15-2005, 09:10 AM

Allstar sells sabre jackets, and they ARE legal, at least in Europe and at FIE competitions. You just have to make sure that you have the necessary overlap with your knickers when you are engarde.

I will never willingly wear a fencing jacket with a croupade--the one for the lame is bad enough.

Oh yeah, I'm 47 and prefer opens to Vet competions for the most part.

MR

edew · 10-15-2005, 02:06 PM

One of my saber fencers started at age 43 or so (maybe 46). He took third in the veterans MS this past year in the Summer Nationals. No, not too old.

I_luv_saber · 10-15-2005, 03:21 PM

or club is pretty much all young-guns, myself included. We have, in the past, had about 3 or 4 older guys fence, so we really haven' had that many. At tourneys I've been to though, I have seen a lot of older saber fencers, so I'm sure it'll be alright.

Coup de Grace · 10-15-2005, 09:17 PM

Go for it! I am fortunate that there is plenty of competition here in Texas to keep me active and fit- from teenagers that are way to fast for me to adults closer to my level. There are 7 regular Sabruers in my club and we are all in our thirties and forties.

That is the cool thing about this sport. You can start late and but finish strong.

Mizore · 10-17-2005, 11:32 PM

Thanks for the encouragement. Tonight I'm talking with a couple members who are also thinking to start saber, so looks like it will happen. But a couple other questions.

Prices are staggering in Japan so I'm looking at Absolute and a couple other shops online for saber kit since friends are visiting Japan from the US in a few weeks and are kindly willing to bring a bag of gear along. Just not sure what to look for to be sure to get gear that will last for a while as I learn.

Also is there a good book that covers both Epee and Saber? Or any recommendations for books on either topic?

JackOfHearts · 10-17-2005, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizore

Thanks for the encouragement. Tonight I'm talking with a couple members who are also thinking to start saber, so looks like it will happen. But a couple other questions.

Prices are staggering in Japan so I'm looking at Absolute and a couple other shops online for saber kit since friends are visiting Japan from the US in a few weeks and are kindly willing to bring a bag of gear along. Just not sure what to look for to be sure to get gear that will last for a while as I learn.

Good luck with saber. I got mine from American Fencers supply. My mom actually ordered it for my birthday back in April. Its a dry blade, I haven't done any electric, and odds are won't be able to for awhile. Still, look into it, though I'm sure you'll find better options browsing through this forum.

Inquartata · 10-17-2005, 11:39 PM

The Absolute starter set ought to be fine for one on a limited budget. And it's a good company. You should also be able to make substitutions, if you want, say, a better mask or lame than the one in the set. For a price, of course.

As for books, there aren't a lot of good instructional ones around. Alaux's is out of print but you may be able to find a copy on ABE Books or Ebay, etc. There's a slender volume on sabre by Evered. Both are decades out of date, unfortunately...