Fencing with 2 weapons

[epeefencer74]

For many years now I've been toying with the idea that I may be able to equip an epee fencer with a main gauche, left handed blade 1/3 the length of a normal epee, that can also be used to score with the point. I've more or less figured out the electrical portion of how to setup the 2 weapons, but I'd like some comments on whether this is a good idea in the first place, and also how I can go about manufacturing the main gauche. I think this should be a fun project to do.

[attila]

Hi
Two weapon fencing will ruin ever 3 musketeer movie you have ever seen. But it is fun. I have done electric sabre with electric main gauche. We take an SCA main gauche and stick an electric socket on it then we add a second wire to the "hit" pin in the body cord at the rear plug. . Epee is much more difficult. An epee even a third the length can do some real damage. If you have the technology available. I suggest you cut off the weak of an epee ( the whippy end) and weld that sucker onto a tang. A Leon Paul foldy epee would be great for that. You like kendo? I have taken standard kendo sticks and made them electric. We use the sabre circuit. Much fun and oh so unforgiving...........

[D'Artagnan1673]

In my opinion, I do not see any reason to fence Epee with a Main Guache. After all, the Epee and its style of fighting resembles the small sword, not a rapier. In rapier fighting, it is very beneficial to use a second weapon as parry/riposte cannot be performed in the crisp 1-2 manner that we are used to with the foil or epee. However, when fencing with the epee, both offense and defence can be performed with a single weapon.

I can still imagine that it would change the nature of the weapon significantly, but in ways that even on the outset do not appeal to me personally.

[HilandDoug]

I would think you would have better luck making the dagger blade hot like a saber blade, since you could cut with the dagger.

[Chris Umbs]

That depends on the rapier… while most 16th and 17th century rapiers can only respond in single tempo and therefore need the secondary, later rapiers are quite capable of using dui tempi and providing a defense by themselves. Also smallsword and dagger was a quite common form and an incredibly quick game with a lot of triple tempo (parry with sword/pass opponent’s blade to dagger/ riposte with sword) which all takes place in the same amount of time as a stesso tempo action. I find smallsword and dagger or 19th c. rapier and dagger to be far more fun lately that the earlier styles.

Chris

[D'Artagnan1673]

Sorry, Chris. I should have clarified that I was referring to the rapier of the 16th and early to mid 17th century. Wasn't it about 1670 that the lighter rapier first came into play?

[epeefencer74]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by HilandDoug:
<strong>I would think you would have better luck making the dagger blade hot like a saber blade, since you could cut with the dagger.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">You have a point there that making a dagger blade "hot" like that of a sabre would be easier, but that would require that the fencers wear lames. I knida want to tie it into the epee electrical system.

[attila]

ep74

Just a thought here. If you use it I want credit. Why not adapt a thetre type retractable blade ( the kind where the blade goes up the tang) and do it that way. It would be child's play to rig two wires that touch and set off the machine........

Dammit! Now I know what I am doing tomorrow..; )

[epeefencer74]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by attila:
<strong>ep74

Just a thought here. If you use it I want credit. Why not adapt a thetre type retractable blade ( the kind where the blade goes up the tang) and do it that way. It would be child's play to rig two wires that touch and set off the machine........

Dammit! Now I know what I am doing tomorrow..; )</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">That's an interesting idea. There might possibly be one hinderance though. Singapore is not really alive with theater and I suspect theater props are even harder to come by , but I will try looking for something like what you've mentioned and don't worry I'll definately credit you if it works. People I've talked to all suggested adapting the foible of either a broken epee or foil such that a grip and an epee tip might be added, but so far I haven't really figured out how.