Epee Bell and Blade Combination

[SpyderLily]

In the next couple weeks, I plan to buy my first epee. I've look around and checked things out and pretty much decided that I want a Chevalier/PS FIE blade. However, I've noticed that the weight of the bell seems to make a lot of difference in how the weapon feels. Since Chevalier/PS blades a light in relation to some other blades, I'm concerned that a really heavy bell might work out poorly. However, I don't want a bell that's going to get a huge dent in it when my soon-to-be coach breaks it in for me. Suggestions, comments, etc.?

[larkmaj]

French or Pistol?

[SpyderLily]

Originally Posted by larkmaj

French or Pistol?

Pistol. Uhlmann medium Visconti is my plan.

[epeeisky]

I would either go with the Vniti one piece epee gaurd or the ACG light gaurd sold by BG.

[noodle]

vniti

[HDG]

LP lightweight + LP lightweight socket.

[larkmaj]

Originally Posted by SpyderLily

Pistol. Uhlmann medium Visconti is my plan.

I ask because the weight of the guard is not as important in pistols as french. Though the whole discussion of blade balance is in another thread.

[Joe biebel]

Since this is your first epee, can assume it is for training? If so, getting the lightest components is not necessarily in your best interest. My practice gear is massive compared to my tournament gear. This serves well in two ways. One, my practice gear can really take the daily beating it needs to. Two, by comparison my tournament gear feels feather light. The Vniti, while not massively heavy, will do nicely.

[SpyderLily]

Both. I'm a college student who can't afford to buy multiple weapons at the moment. I've been using club weapons. This will be the first one that's really mine.

The Vniti guard sounds like a good plan. I'd looked at those but just didn't know how heavy they were. Thanks for the help everyone.

[shlepzig]

The Vniti guard is almost as light as the "lightweight" guards out there, but it is also tough as nails. Since this weapon will be seeing a lot of use (training and competition), you want something with some durability.

I have a couple of Vniti guards that have seen a year of heavy use and sport little wear to show for it.

One thing, you will need two weapons if you are going to start competing.

Shlep.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by Joe biebel

Since this is your first epee, can assume it is for training? If so, getting the lightest components is not necessarily in your best interest. My practice gear is massive compared to my tournament gear. This serves well in two ways. One, my practice gear can really take the daily beating it needs to. Two, by comparison my tournament gear feels feather light. The Vniti, while not massively heavy, will do nicely.

Ditto what Joe said...

Get something solid that you can use.

I don't get this fascination with light and ultra light guards (something seriously wrong with those folks). There's something to be said for having a nice solid weapon... especially if it's your only one.

What made you decide on the PS FIE?

[SpyderLily]

Originally Posted by shlepzig

One thing, you will need two weapons if you are going to start competing.

Shlep.

I can use a club blade as my back-up and will until I can afford another weapon of my own.

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

What made you decide on the PS FIE?

I learned on a club Vniti, and I tried my boyfriend's BF Blue, but something just wasn't exactly what I wanted, and I knew I didn't want anything terribly stiff like an STM or a BF white. However, the Vniti was way too bendy. Anyways, I wanted something not terribly heavy but with a little bend to it. I asked for help on here, and CvilleFencer was very helpful. Also, one of the guys at my club has one and seems to be pleased with it. I've been meaning to ask to hold it and make absolutely sure it's what I want, but haven't gotten around to it yet. However, I did check out a blade this weekend at USACFC club nationals and it seemed okay... granted, that's from what I know... which isn't too terribly much. The color's a cool bonus though.

[MyraTrue]

SpyderLily,

please don't take this as a negative reply, because it isn't meant as one. But why are you specifically interested in an FIE blade on a limited budget? I've owned a few FIE blades, and truthfully, I never felt like the blade made any major difference in my fencing. (I've been fencing epee for 4 years). On the other hand, I do know some fencers who would go with an FIE blade every single time, and that's what suits them.

I get the impression that you've been fencing a while, but I know that the first couple of blades most fencers have tend to be abused no matter what blade quality they buy. If you're worried about the differences between practice and electric, buy two non-FIE blades, and use one as practice. If you are not particularly rough on blades, they will last you a while, and if you do at some time add that FIE blade, they can act as the backup weapon.

As to weight: I've also noted in another thread, I have had wrist problems, and by pure luck of the draw, ended up with a Fleche blade with an ultra light guard. It was what was available. The only reason I bring this up is that I fence with ligher weapons, and I never noticed it to negatively impact my preformance. I CAN fence with a heavier blade, but I never found an advantage of fencing with a heavier blade at one time, and a lighter blade at another. (Then again, I also don't own a practice blade anymore, but fence with my electric... nothing like being your own armorer.)

Running on no sleep... hope that made sense.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Get the titanium-aluminium alloy guards. They're very lightweight and do not dent. They also do not have any 'rivets' that will pop out over time.

Some have suggested they're manufactured by Vniti. I buy mine from Allstar GER, they're not stamped Vniti but apart from that looks exactly identical.

[little_old_me]

I wouldn't recommend the Uhlmann Titanium "Ultra-light" guard. I had mine for about 3 weeks before it started to dent. I don't know how the regular Uhlmann Titanium allow guard stands up, but stay away from the one specifically labled "Ultra-Light".

[achilleus]

I'll add to the myriad number of voices of here...

It's your only weapon, get something durable.

I have some BF FIE epees that weigh lighter than foils. I love 'em. I wouldn't think of using anything else. I didn't start off that way. I still have the first uhlmann bellguard I bought. It's heavy, beat up, but far more usable than the ultralight bellguard I used for 5 months.

It's a trade off, and if you ever have the desire to replace your equipment often, I suggest getting something durable.

That said, FIE is usually more durable than non-FIE. I go through non-FIE weapons so quick that it's cheaper for me to buy FIE. That said the PS blades are not my favorite. They're a good price and feel great intially, but one awkward hit, and they never recover. Sometimes they would last me a tournament until they were just ugly practice blades, other times a bout.

And what Myra points out is very good adivce, you could buy two non-FIE weapons and really cut down on a lot of problems. I can't tell you how much it sucks to have one weapon that is yours, and then, that weapon needs to be rewired or adjusted.

[howtobrew]

Let's see:
Requirements:
college budget
durable
lightweight
stiff, but FIE stiff (which means it's not)

Recommendation:
two non-FIE complete electric epee (probably Vniti or equiv)
or
1 LP non-FIE complete electric epee

Discussion:
LP non-FIE don't break. They are a good comprimise between durability, flickability, and stiffness for point control.
I have gone thru 3 Vniti non-FIE blades in the last 2 years of recreational fencing and local comps, but still have all my LPs. I like the initial feel of the Vniti, but they work for a couple months and then they start going downhill before they finally break.

If you want to invest in a good blade to use in comp, that will last you for a couple years, get an LP.
My honest to God opinion,
HtB

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by little_old_me

I wouldn't recommend the Uhlmann Titanium "Ultra-light" guard. I had mine for about 3 weeks before it started to dent. I don't know how the regular Uhlmann Titanium allow guard stands up, but stay away from the one specifically labled "Ultra-Light".

The 'Ultra Light' guard is not a titanium one -- it's aluminium. (Or some light weight steel.)

Seriously, get the titanium alloy guards. They do not dent.