Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

pinkandgeek · 06-14-2006, 10:24 AM

well, my coach has gone out to sea (i live in a navy town, submarines) so i can't ask him all these questions. anyway, when would you consider a foil blade worn out? in the past month i have fenced about 35 hours, because he wanted for me to get some solid instruction before he had to go out to sea. my blade has some hefty nicks and the edges of the blade aren't as square as the were when i pulled it out of its box. (i noticed this when i was sanding the rust off of it) at what point should i replace the blade?

keith · 06-14-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandgeek

.............. at what point should i replace the blade?

..........when it breaks?

which is why it's always handy to have a spare or two.

cmedalis · 06-14-2006, 10:53 AM

Is it a dry (non-electric) foil blade? They can usually handle insane amounts of abuse, the MU club gear stands as testimonial.

We usually replace ours after breakage or severe bends, which can't be worked out under-foot. I do have several which have turned into approximations of the FSM's noodly-appendage, but we keep them around anyhow, because the softer blade, while being horrible for point-control, makes for softer impacts, and some of our new fencers appreciate that.

Anyhow, if you only have light rusting, just keep the blade oiled lightly to prevent corrosion. Occasional sanding with a sponge block ( I like 180/220 grit ) will cut the rust off quick. Just make sure you don't pile your uniform on top of it, or you'll get stains

If you see pitting/cracking along the blade, not the dings from normal use, then you may have deterioration of the blade, and it's time to start shopping for a replacement.

HTH.
-CM

pinkandgeek · 06-14-2006, 10:53 AM

even if the edges become rounded? i was wondering if i go to compete in a local competion if they would deem my weapon unsafe? but if its just a matter of carrying a spare then i'll order one.

DHCJr · 06-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandgeek

even if the edges become rounded? i was wondering if i go to compete in a local competion if they would deem my weapon unsafe? but if its just a matter of carrying a spare then i'll order one.

You've got it backwards. If your blades are completely rectangular in shape with no beveled edges, than you would have a problem (M.8) and the Armorer should deem it unsafe.

I would work on the nicks. A sanding block is problably the best for that. I do like the Scotchbrite type pads, but they are not enough for nicks. Even the sanding blocks are not good enough for deep nicks.

***Craig*** · 06-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandgeek

even if the edges become rounded? i was wondering if i go to compete in a local competion if they would deem my weapon unsafe? but if its just a matter of carrying a spare then i'll order one.

It is deemed unsafe when:
It breaks

It has a 90 degree bend/kink that you can't get out

It has an S curve that won't go away.

Craig

shlepzig · 06-14-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandgeek

even if the edges become rounded? i was wondering if i go to compete in a local competion if they would deem my weapon unsafe? but if its just a matter of carrying a spare then i'll order one.

The Vniti FIE foil baldes have slightly rounded edges new from the forge. So that is no criteria for a weapons safety.

Basically if the weapon appears to be moderately straight and properly assembled, it will be deemed fine until the fencing starts.

When in the course of fencing it takes an extreme bend, you will be asked to straighten it by the director. You should keep an eye on this, and maintain the plumb of your weapon during the bout of your own accord.

When it breaks, you will discard it, and grab your spare.

Shlep.

remise · 06-14-2006, 11:11 AM

Also if you have a blade that appears to be going "soft". If your foil seems more 'noodle-like', it's a warning that it won't last long.

KD5MDK · 06-14-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shlepzig

The Vniti FIE foil baldes have slightly rounded edges new from the forge. So that is no criteria for a weapons safety.

Read Donald's post: Rounded edges are a criteria for weapon safety, in that they must be rounded.

pinkandgeek · 06-14-2006, 03:06 PM

thanks for that input

Mergs · 06-14-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Read Donald's post: Rounded edges are a criteria for weapon safety, in that they must be rounded.

Actually, I think that the edges are required to be chamfered, not rounded. The main point being that they are not square.

KD5MDK · 06-14-2006, 03:22 PM

You are correct, but that's what I interpreted them to mean.

pinkandgeek · 06-14-2006, 03:51 PM

when i said "rounded" i was intending it to mean the blade loosing ts edges completely, but its good to know that they cannot be completely squared off

DHCJr · 06-14-2006, 04:19 PM

It is interesting seeing blades by Blue Gauntlet (non-FIE) that are round. They don't even pretend to be camphered, they are an oval. Since weapons are not normally checked by Control at any tournaments in the U.S., I wonder if the USFOC has ever considering what to do if anyone ever protests.

HDG · 06-14-2006, 06:11 PM

I've purchased some Fleche foil blades recently that far from being chamfered (much less rounded off) are actually a little sharp at the edges.

twisterfencing · 06-14-2006, 11:32 PM

When you hear this really funny sound "dink" and you notice your blade is now in two pieces and one piece is dangaling downward, only being held on by a really thin wire. It's now time to replace it.

Gary Spruill

erooMynohtnA · 06-14-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDG

I've purchased some Fleche foil blades recently that far from being chamfered (much less rounded off) are actually a little sharp at the edges.

I bought a Prieur about six months ago and there was not a hint of champfering or rounding. It's pretty easy to solve with a file or some sandpaper.

KD5MDK · 06-15-2006, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHCJr

It is interesting seeing blades by Blue Gauntlet (non-FIE) that are round. They don't even pretend to be camphered, they are an oval. Since weapons are not normally checked by Control at any tournaments in the U.S., I wonder if the USFOC has ever considering what to do if anyone ever protests.

The problem is of course that the number of things that can make a weapon non-conforming is legion, and any number of them can be happening without an observer noticing without careful attention. Deciding which additional weapon rules are important to enforce would be a difficult task.

DHCJr · 06-15-2006, 11:23 AM

I agree. In fact, there is the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. I tend to go with the spirit of the law. I feel the BG blades meet the spirit of the law (no sharp edges). There are many pieces of equipment that does not meet the letter of the law. For example the Saint George Epee mode does not meet the rule that the piste and the guard must be the same(M.31). But because of their not following the rules, a weapon with a B-C or A-C short will still work.