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m0r72010 · 02-05-2006, 05:34 PM

Yesterday, after going through 3 (hastily asembled) blades I got to fence my coaches all-Uhlmann epee. It features a blue BF blade, Uhlmann sockets and a titanium bell guard. It was asemled by a USFA master armorer. In short: the weapon is AWESOME.
Needless to say, I want one of my own now. However, after doing some research I ran accross some opinions that say the BF blades are subject to breaking alot... What's the good word? Any of you have exp. with BF's?

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-05-2006, 07:17 PM

BF blades have a reputation for lasting ages or minutes. Its all about getting a good batch. When you find a good batch, buy up as many as you can afford.

JEC · 02-06-2006, 12:09 AM

I agree with D+F+P ... I had very good luck with the 02-02 batch, and not so good one with 05-04 (2/8 broke in less than two weeks at about 10 cm from the tip). I still have one 02-02 and about six of 05-04. I started using a 06-05 and seems OK (have 3 of them).

CvilleFencer · 02-06-2006, 12:21 AM

As others have said BF blades tend to be really hit or miss. When they are good they are almost worth the price... I don't prefer them myself even though they have a great feel. At $100 plus I think they should be consistant and durable and they just are not. I suggest Prieur (cheap and feel very similiar), Vniti (indestructable) or LP (lightest blades around and also pretty much indestructable). I don't care much for the StM FIE epees but I think the non-FIE is a good cheap blade as are the Prieur non-FIE's. There have been a lot of threads about this so check in the archives for more detailed info. You could also check out this thread where foils and epee blades are talked about a bit: http://forum.va-usfa.org/forum.cgi?b...num=1135789912

epeeisky · 02-06-2006, 12:32 AM

My Uhlman non-FIE blade has lasted about a year and a half of moderate to heavy use depending on the time of year. It seems that this blade has lasted longer than most of the FIE blades.

KD5MDK · 02-06-2006, 01:31 AM

Uhlmann non-FIE is a rebadged StM, isn't it?

My suspiscion is the weapon assembly has a lot to do with the feel.

CvilleFencer · 02-06-2006, 02:53 AM

Uhlmann has two different lines for their non-FIE blades and three for their FIE. For the non-FIE blade it is either a BF or an StM. As mentioned the way a weapon feels often has a lot to do with the parts used and the cant of the tang.

Zilverzmurfen · 02-06-2006, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0r72010

Any of you have exp. with BF's?

I have two blue ones, but have only assembled one yet. It broke in very nicely and I like it lots, lots.

Durando · 02-06-2006, 07:11 AM

Just bought a second Allstar BF blue. It is absolutely fantastic. Weapon came together perfectly. And...what a boring post. Erm, what I can add is that, in the past month I've broken two BF whites. They were far too rigid. One of them kinked irremediably right away and the other broke off at the tip. A bit shocked by this because I don't often break blades and certainly not ones that are so frigging expensive.

Aside from durability, I would say the BF blues feel alive. They also flick well, which is what most people identify as the difference between white/blue--but really it is that the blues aid actions that depend on sentiment du fer such as presses and takes. The BF whites are flickable as well but feel really dead to my hand.

Fechter1 · 02-06-2006, 01:01 PM

Something I've noticed... at some point (I think early '03), they must have changed something in their manufacturing process, because after the 12/02 batch (next blades were 06/03 batch), their blades just aren't as durable anymore. More prone to serious kinks, thus more prone to breaking. And has anyone else noticed the slight s-curve sideways when the blade is bent?

Note I use the whites.

epeeisky · 02-08-2006, 07:40 PM

This thread seemed to curse my blade. My UH snapped at a kink 10-11cm from the tip.

JEC · 02-08-2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fechter1

Something I've noticed... at some point (I think early '03), they must have changed something in their manufacturing process, because after the 12/02 batch (next blades were 06/03 batch), their blades just aren't as durable anymore. More prone to serious kinks, thus more prone to breaking. And has anyone else noticed the slight s-curve sideways when the blade is bent?

Note I use the whites.

Yes, I have a couple of 0505 with that problem.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-09-2006, 02:26 AM

Interesting. I have an 0407 and an 0505, and I havent noticed any kinks yet. The 407 is definitely softer though.

Mr Epee · 02-09-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0r72010

Yesterday, after going through 3 (hastily asembled) blades I got to fence my coaches all-Uhlmann epee. It features a blue BF blade, Uhlmann sockets and a titanium bell guard. It was asemled by a USFA master armorer. In short: the weapon is AWESOME.?

Your coach sounds like a pimp.

Keep your eyes peeled, and be very very careful.

m0r72010 · 03-05-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

I suggest Prieur (cheap and feel very similiar), Vniti (indestructable) or LP (lightest blades around and also pretty much indestructable).

I actually have a Vniti as an alternate. It's from a ??04 batch; I hate it. It's way too wobbly for my taste since I'm not really big on flicks and like a stiff feel to my weapons.

As far as the BF is concerned I must sadly report that a kid on my team destroyed it when he ran into my lunge; it was bent upward like a halfmoon so I bent it back upon which the wire came loose so that I had to reglue it; now it is intermitten

the kid who ran into it is a moron *lol*
Ohh well, I guess ill just have to rewire it from scratch.

mrbiggs · 03-05-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

Prieur (cheap and feel very similiar)

Personal experience says that Prieur is cheap, long lasting, and not too good in any other category. They kink alot and are a bit too flexible. A good budget FIE blade, but if you can afford BF blades, I'd go for them over Prieur by far.

twisterfencing · 03-05-2006, 11:33 PM

The BF blades are the blade of choice in my camp. Yes, there are some really good ones, and,,,,,some really poopey ones. In my opinion, the bad ones are few and far between. Yes, If you speak to the rocket scientist of fencing, they will all tell you the story of the stress fracture 6" from the tip. Well, I am sure they are right, but have you ever noticed or watched the olympics, or gone to a world cup event in Euro? Look at what the majority of the fencers are using. BF's! Somthing said for that.

Yes, they have a very classic feel to they're blades. From other post listed, I liked the blues from the batch 11-01. This batch of blades (epee) was really a sweet group. Super quick, really light and super balanced.

To answer your question, do they break alot, the answer is Yes! They all do no matter what anyone tells you. I feel you get your moneys worth with the BF's though!