Totally new, lots of questions

[Blanchette]

Hey all,

I am totally new to fencing, I am a student at the University of Rhode Island, and I have always been interested in fencing but have never until now had the opportunity to do anything about it. I am a big guy, and I was wondering which weapon would best suit me? Athletically, prior to fencing I have been a track and field weightman, throwing the hammer and discus, and been a wrestler. I would consider myself mildly athletic, but with a determination to become more so. If you could help me out at all with your knowledge, it would be greatly appreciated.

sincerely,
J. Blanchette

[CvilleFencer]

Which weapon would suit you best? The one you enjoy and have the most fun with! Seriously, there are some stereotypes:

Foil: Thin, fast and a bit arrogant.
Saber: Short, stout and angry.
Epee: Tall, thin and patient/aloof.

Those are jus that however, stereotypes. Plenty of exceptions. I know lots of large, not overly fast foilists, tall thin saberist's and short, stocky epeeist's that do very well. In fencing, for every physical benefit there is a way to beat it. Advantages in height, reach and strength can all be defeated with bladework, distance and timing. In all three weapons the metal agility of the fencer almost as important as physical skills. That is part of the fun. Find the right weapon for you buy giving all three a chance as much as possible and go with what you love.

Welcome to fencing and to the forum. Feel free to post any of your questions. The vast majority of us are happy to help!

[kmak_577]

If i were you i would try each on out and then see which one you find the best . good luck hope you do well

kmak_577

[SuzanneC]

At my fencing school, they encourage everyone to start with foil, since the basics you learn with foil will carry through to the other weapons. Since foil was initially developed as a means to practice swordfighting (for real fights), that seems to make sense. Once you get started with foil, you can get advice from your coach on whether your style, physical characteristics, etc., would lend themselves to another weapon. (I've been fencing for a year, with foil, although my coach has suggested that I try epee at some point)

[fezziwig]

All of the posted messages are literally 'on-target' - there are broad stereotypes which seem to to have an acknowledged validity (high pain tolerance? try saber!) but there's no replacement for hands-on experimentation. One of my friends is a petite young woman who bruises in a slight breeze, but put an epee or a saber in her hand and the carnivore comes out.

[fezziwig]

All of the posted messages are literally 'on-target' - there are broad stereotypes which seem to to have an acknowledged validity (high pain tolerance? try saber!) but there's no replacement for hands-on experimentation. One of my friends is a petite young woman who bruises in a slight breeze, but put an epee or a saber in her hand and the carnivore comes out.

[fezziwig]

All of the posted messages are literally 'on-target' - there are broad stereotypes which seem to to have an acknowledged validity (high pain tolerance? try saber!) but there's no replacement for hands-on experimentation. One of my friends is a petite young woman who bruises in a slight breeze, but put an epee or a saber in her hand and the carnivore comes out.

[Inquartata]

And as is my wont I come now to pooh-pooh that "foil first" business ( sorry, SuzanneC ).

You can learn the basics in any of the three weapons. Foil has no inherent advantage apart from the fact that many coaches learned it first, so they teach it first themselves. Hence they teach it most, and are most comfortable teaching it. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Some of the things you will learn in foil will have to be unlearned for sabre or epee, and the same applies to learning epee or sabre first and then switching later. Plus if you put a good deal of time, effort and money into foil you may feel disinclined to start all over in another weapon later, just when you're beginning to "get good" at foil.

If you sense in yourself a genuine affinity for foil, if you truly feel no tug from any of the three weapons and one is as good as another, or if your coach just won't teach you anything else without that foil apprentieship and you can't find another coach, go ahead and start in foil. Otherwise, try all three and then "follow your bliss", as Campbell said.