Prieur/Leon Paul/Blaise-Frere

[The Crazy Wacker]

What are the pros and cons of each?
Which do you recomend?
Which is the most durable?

[neevel]

I believe Prieur is now buying their blades from Blaise, eliminating that distinction.

Leon Pauls are light, and usually are fairly flexible (for some of their FIE blades, they actually test the flexibility and mark the result on the blade, so you can readily specify the degree of flexibility).

BF blades are generally on the stiffer side (a batch of BF white epee blades from this last year had a number that were actually too stiff for the rules). They're heavier than LP blades, but towards the middle of the overall spectrum on weight. While they don't put a stiffness number on
blades like Leon Paul, BF white are in general a bit stiffer than BF blue, and BF blue a bit stiffer than BF gold (there's always going to be a noticeable degree of variation from blade to blade).

I will say that, so far as non-maraging foil blades are concerned, LP Etoiles will likely stay in one piece the longest of the lower-end blades. They'll get very mushy and prone to holding bends as they get old, however, so you may well end up replacing the blade before it breaks.
If you can afford the initial purchase price, FIE blades will save you money in the long run due to their much greater durability. Vniti FIE blades are probably superior to either BF or LP in durability-- you have to consider what kind of weight, stiffness, and balance you prefer as well as longevity.

-Dave

[The Crazy Wacker]

[quote]Originally posted by neevel:
<strong>I believe Prieur is now buying their blades from Blaise, eliminating that distinction.

Leon Pauls are light, and usually are fairly flexible (for some of their FIE blades, they actually test the flexibility and mark the result on the blade, so you can readily specify the degree of flexibility).

BF blades are generally on the stiffer side (a batch of BF white epee blades from this last year had a number that were actually too stiff for the rules). They're heavier than LP blades, but towards the middle of the overall spectrum on weight. While they don't put a stiffness number on
blades like Leon Paul, BF white are in general a bit stiffer than BF blue, and BF blue a bit stiffer than BF gold (there's always going to be a noticeable degree of variation from blade to blade).

I will say that, so far as non-maraging foil blades are concerned, LP Etoiles will likely stay in one piece the longest of the lower-end blades. They'll get very mushy and prone to holding bends as they get old, however, so you may well end up replacing the blade before it breaks.
If you can afford the initial purchase price, FIE blades will save you money in the long run due to their much greater durability. Vniti FIE blades are probably superior to either BF or LP in durability-- you have to consider what kind of weight, stiffness, and balance you prefer as well as longevity.

-Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks Dave... So I think I'll try a Golden BF, or a Leon Paul, whichevers cheaper

[ 05-10-2002: Message edited by: The Crazy Wacker ]</p>

[edew]

Rather than asking various people here on the board, why don't you go to a shop that has some of each (best to go to a large NAC, like the upcoming Summer Nationals) and try them out yourself. There is enough variations even among the same brand that you should be choosing based on the feel of the blade.

When I buy blades, I go to the vendor and actually try the bend and such of each blade before I purchase them. I find the ones I like and buy them. I don't buy based solely on manufacturer's name. Indeed, it's often the last item on my list.

[The Crazy Wacker]

[quote]Originally posted by edew:
<strong>Rather than asking various people here on the board, why don't you go to a shop that has some of each (best to go to a large NAC, like the upcoming Summer Nationals) and try them out yourself. There is enough variations even among the same brand that you should be choosing based on the feel of the blade.

When I buy blades, I go to the vendor and actually try the bend and such of each blade before I purchase them. I find the ones I like and buy them. I don't buy based solely on manufacturer's name. Indeed, it's often the last item on my list.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Theres a slight problem with that... The closest place I know of is Triplette in North Carolina (I live in middle tennessee), about a 6 hour drive away. I don't think I'd be going to that shop for a long time, Exspecialy since I can't drive till 16 (currently 14), then theres that goofy law about only being able to drive to school and back till your 17 or something.

[Gav]

It depends on what you're looking for Whacker. I can only offer advice about Epee blades (I'm out of the Foil loop nowadays).

As Neevel mentions BF blades are stiffer. They also tend to take a bend (if they do) in the forte. Can't think of anything else that's remarkable about BF except they're quality is always high.

Personally I prefer the LP blaes. They are lighter (and with the ultralight guard make for a very light Epee) and due to their construction (in a V out of a sheet of metal) they don't move laterally only vertically - useful if you flick in any way at all. Yes the FIE's are graded but I find it best to try them out as personally I find the grading meaningless. LP's also lose integrity as they get older so they will flick better and take bends worse.

I like the LP's (not that I flick much) because they tend to get a nice even bend throughout their length (as opposed to a bend at the forte). Also they're light and in my case easy to get. I also have a nice Prieur BF blade that I will use for those French grip moments. A nice stiff blade would be better as I tend to pommel and therefore DEFINITELY can't flick! ha ha

This sort of thing is highly personal. Once you've decided on what you're going to use try and stick with it as much as possible otherwise you may find that you're technique suffers slightly. Standardisation is always best. IMHO.

[The Crazy Wacker]

So, BF is stiffer? I think I'd rather take the LP then, because i've had to face some younger kids before, and i was afraid i was going to hurt some people.

Wheres the best place to buy LP??


P.S. Those kids were around 8-9

[Gav]

<a href="http://www.leonpaul.com" target="_blank">www.leonpaul.com</a>

I don't know what their shipping costs to the US might be but I'm sure they'll recommend an American supplier to you.

[ 05-13-2002: Message edited by: Gav ]</p>

[neevel]

[quote]Originally posted by Gav:
<strong><a href="http://www.leonpaul.com" target="_blank">www.leonpaul.com</a>

I don't know what their shipping costs to the US might be but I'm sure they'll recommend an American supplier to you.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

American Fencers Supply and Santelli are the main U.S. vendors for Leon Paul. If the order is large enough, buying direct from LP (like Langenkamp, LP's new online store is set up to do international orders) will certainly save money. If you're only going to get one or two blades, AFS or Santelli are probably the better choice.

BTW, not hurting kids is more about controlling your distance than using a soft blade. If you were to bruise someone with a BF blade, chances are you also would've done so with an LP blade. Just keep a decent distance, and if you're worried that a touch to the front will be too forceful, making a gentle flick to the top of the shoulder is very easy against the munchkins. Also be aware that ones up at the top of the Y12 and Y14 points list may be perfectly capable of cleaning you out 5-0 in a pool bout, especially if you refer to them as "munchkins" to their face .

-Dave

[The Crazy Wacker]

[quote]Originally posted by neevel:
<strong>

American Fencers Supply and Santelli are the main U.S. vendors for Leon Paul. If the order is large enough, buying direct from LP (like Langenkamp, LP's new online store is set up to do international orders) will certainly save money. If you're only going to get one or two blades, AFS or Santelli are probably the better choice.

BTW, not hurting kids is more about controlling your distance than using a soft blade. If you were to bruise someone with a BF blade, chances are you also would've done so with an LP blade. Just keep a decent distance, and if you're worried that a touch to the front will be too forceful, making a gentle flick to the top of the shoulder is very easy against the munchkins. Also be aware that ones up at the top of the Y12 and Y14 points list may be perfectly capable of cleaning you out 5-0 in a pool bout, especially if you refer to them as "munchkins" to their face .

-Dave</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ohhhh yeah I know what you mean. I've had to fence this girl (I think she's 8 or 9) named heaven, and boy shes TOUGH!! She's not scared of anything!! she'll use a really small foil and get in way close and try to force you off the strip and everything!! And then theres Eric the Viking (8-9), I think you get the idea from his name.