what is the best foil blade out there??

[french grip foilist]

i am currently using a stm color blade its stiff and i like stiffer foil blades but i was looking into buying some new blades and i need to know if the golubitsky is worth it, but i am open to ideas i want to know whats a good blade for me

[erooMynohtnA]

I have a G-Pro, and it's definitely my favorite blade. I've had it for a little more than 6 months, and it hasn't kinked yet. At first it was very stiff, but it has loosened a little in the foible, so it's now just fairly stiff. It's the lightest FIE blade I've used except the Absolute blade, which is too whippy for me.

The closest blade in feel that I've used is a stiff non-FIE BF. I've had the BF for a shorter amount of time, and I use it less, but it shows a little more wear. It also flexes along its length rather than in the foible. It probably won't last as long, but it was less than half the price.

Do you like a stiff and light blade? A stiff and heavy blade? Weighted toward the hand or the tip? Flexes along the length or the foible?

[CvilleFencer]

It really depends on what you define as the "best". Which is more important, feel or durability? How much does weight come into play? How about price/value?

For me and many people I know, the Vniti is the "best" blade. It is a bit heavy, but well nigh unbreakable (not quite, but close), has a consistent feel, comes in a large range of whippy to stiff and is good deal for an FIE blade. Speaking specifically of the LP blades, I have several fencers who really like the G-pros. More durable than the BF and a little lighter, but with a very similiar feel to it. I think the Flickmasters are the best foil blades made for me, but since I am only an occasional foilist and given that while they hold up well, the don't last as long as the Vniti, I can't justify the price.

However if you take out the price equation, I think that LP makes some of the better blades on the market. If you like the feel of the BF over the Vniti though, go with the Gpro. The feels are much closer.

[HerrKleinerFencer]

I second Vniti's as a favorite. In addition to being really durable, I've found that they don't retain the same kinks as BF or StM FIE blades do.

[rocky]

My favorite are BF FIE blades because I find that their balance and weight allows me to have better point control than I had with either Vniti, Stm, or LM.

[CvilleFencer]

Originally Posted by rocky

My favorite are BF FIE blades because I find that their balance and weight allows me to have better point control than I had with either Vniti, Stm, or LM.

I would agree with you 100% in regard to their epee's as far as feel and point control. However in their epees, the radical difference in durability/lifespan from batch to batch make a more durable blade a better idea for budget. I have not noticed as much variation in the FIE foil blades from BF however so those concerns are not as pressing. Of course, I have not noticed a great deal of difference in accuracy between them and the other foil blades out there either, but that may be more a reflection on my (lack of) skill as a foilist than the blades themselves...

[twisterfencing]

The "best" blade out there is: the one you like the most.
They are all good, they are all going to serve a purpose and they are all going to break sooner or later.

Find something that feels good to you and stick with it.

Gary Spruill