Getting back into Fencing...

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I am working the old body into shape to get back into fencing after being absent for most of the last ten years. I used to use FL maraging (foil) blades and wide French-type points. I Heard that FL is now defunct. I liked the consistency from blade-to-blade with the FL, and I liked the fact that I didn't have to keep bending it back into shape after each hit. What should I use now for a maraging blade? a point? who is the best supplier for each? Thanks for your advice!

[noodle]

maraging BF blue or white blades with german points.
they're the more resillient of the blades on the market now.
french tips break apart like crackers.

[Linkthealmighty]

I was in the same boat about a year ago. I was out of fencing for about seven years and when I got back into it everyone marveled at my 7 year old FL foil blade. I put up a post on this board about it and ended up getting a Viniti blade. It's kind of whippy, which is ok by me because I still try to flick on occasion, but I think they come in less whippy makes. I've been really happy with it so far, havn't had to un-bend it at all (knocks on wood). Oh and I got it from this site by the way.

[Greg]

When I came back after years, I had a very old Super Prieur blade. It was completely brown in color with the square forte that I really liked and won a lot of bouts with. I got it from American Fencers. The first time I used it again in a bout, it snapped like a twig. So much for the magic of old blades.

[rory]

Either BF (fairly stiff) or Vniti (less tiff, but still good point control, still resilient).
With Leon Paul GT points.
Don't use German points - the barrels deeform and split, and the grubscrews get mashed up too easily.

[The Rose Knight]

Welcome back to fencing! I'm in the same boat, though in my case its a twenty year absence. Went from fencing to TKD to kendo; long story. Anyway, I'm purchassing new gear, so I'm taking into consideration all that has been said by the posters above.

Good luck!!
RK

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I appreciate the information. I'm also glad not to be the only one with this dilemma. Now, I was leaning toward German points, but now I'm hearing they're not all that durable??? Zoiks. 'Cuz I'm determined to rid myself of the 30 or so spare French points in my toolbox....

[mifencer]

You ever run the Beloit Bi-athalon? I have a good friend who fenced at Beloit, who I ran with at this year's bi-athalon. Which my old body was barely able to do... barely.

I personally use German tips, but you might want to consider using the Leon Paul ones. I hear that very good -- you get the benefits of the German tip and not the problem with the screws sticking out.

As for foils, I'd go with the BF blades (no color needed) -- but they're expensive. STM blades are cheaper and pretty good. They're both much stiffer than your FL blades, but with these new boxes, it helps. Vniti blades are made from old Soviet tanks -- ok, not true but sometimes it sure feels like it.