1 mm shim test on foils

[zhenqing]

How is the 1 mm shim used to check a foil and what is the purpose of this test?

[Moonitic]

Never heard of a shim being used to check a foil...only epee. Since I'm a foilist, I can't answer why they use the shim in the first place.

[neevel]

This is a test for the maximum travel of the point, which must be no more than 1 mm (look at sec. m.11 in the rules). Basically, if you can insert the shim and depress the point, it's out of spec.

-Dave Neevel

[latenight]

I've never seen it done for foil, not even at the greensboro NAC

[edew]

The rule is that the separation between the tip and the barrel must be LESS than 1mm. But no one ever tests for that. Because foil tips only require an infinitesimal travel, it's conceivable for someone to create a tip which may be several inches from the barrel, thereby adding that several inches to the length of the tip. Thus the requirement for the regular distance to be less than 1mm.

However, since no one ever makes his or her own tip and barrel, and all commercial tips do meet the 1mm requirement, it's almost a pointless (ha, ha) test to do, so that's why it's never done.

[neevel]

Actually, if you _really_ wanted to play Rules Lawyer with an opponent who was using Prieur points, you could ask the ref to check that out-- when the Prieur tips start to come unpeened, they may exceed this limit. Of course, you'd end up being considered a ridiculous shyster by all other parties involved.

-Dave

[This message has been edited by neevel (edited 01-15-2001).]

[zhenqing]

Thanks guys, you REALLY know this stuff!
EDEW, I guess the only point in creating a tip that was several inches long, if that were possible, would be to have an advantage over one's opponent in terms of reach (since the overall length of the weapon would increase), is that correct?

Thanks again!

[Foil Girl]

Then again, you could get that same effect with longer limbs.

------------------
-Foil Girl
"If you don't have fun, you've already lost"

[EnoYls]

so I should go ahead and get those arm extensions I've been meaning to get? The doc is going to lengthen my arm by a good 3 inches!

[introspective]

sometimes i think tests like that are developed by paranoid schizophrenics, or just someone a tad anal-retentive-or just a little N~e~r~v~o~u~s about your fencing?, there are tests and then there are tests!

[edew]

There are tests and there are tests. I don't think anyone tests for the 1mm rule, probably even at the Olympics (gotta check with our local armorer who was there). It's certainly not tested on the strips when fencing, and the shims sold by Uhlmann doesn't even have a 1mm component (as they used to have). You have the 1.5mm and the 0.5mm for epee, and there is a notch thingee for the sabre. I don't recall seeing a 1mm shim.

[mangofever]

then what is zhenqing talking about, was someone mis-informing him? if so, that's violent.

edew, nice bout against that little girl, i was rooting for you.

[edew]

Yeah, I really beat her up, eh? Actually, the second bout was pretty tough. She got the idea of what to do against me, and I was kinda tired. Oh well. Still persevered.

[mangofever]

don't feel bad edew, you have to stuggle!