Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

freerider258 · 12-11-2007, 10:50 PM

I recently broke my epee at a meet, and am wondering what one I shoud get next. THe one that broke was a $70 StM, (kinda cheap). I now want a really good durable long lasting blade. So, my question is which one should I get? (Complete FIE Electrical Epee) - Prieur, Vniti, Chevalier (BF is too much $$) or any others! thanks!

freerider

freerider258 · 12-11-2007, 10:56 PM

hey, its freerider, Im looking for a medium stiff blade, not toooo flicky, but a little-im practicing them, but good for point control, but not too stiff. like a well rounded epee. i do alot of take 6's and 4's - alot of blade on blade action, so a controlling epee would suit me, one that I can feel my opp. blade with.

CvilleFencer · 12-11-2007, 11:01 PM

Well, it would help to know more of what you are looking for. Prieur and Chevalier are the exact same blade. They feel a bit like a BF but are on average heavier and with a slightly shorter life. The Vniti is a arguably (along with LP) the most durable blades around. They tend to have a lot of flex and are a bit on the heavy side, although for most it is well balanced weight and gives good power and actions. LP non-FIE blades are cheap (comparably) and are the most long lasting non-FIE blade on the market. They are super light though and have a very unique feel so they fall into the love them or hate them category. LP FIE are just like the non-FIE but a lot more bucks for the FIE stamp so unless you are an international fencer, the regular LP blades would serve you well.

From what you describe of your fencing style, I would say go with the Vniti but be sure to order from a vendor that will take the time to send you a medium stiff blade. Some Vniti blades are very whippy but they come in a wide range from whippy to stiff. I have had good luck with Fencing.net and Absolute in picking out blades online.

CvilleFencer · 12-11-2007, 11:03 PM

Oh yeah, and a quick use of the search function will yield you more info and opinions on blades that you would probably ever want. Usually the best place to start before asking a "what is best" sort of gear question. Also the Armory is a good place for this sort of question...

Miglin · 12-12-2007, 02:47 AM

Go with the Chevalier. You'll love it.

DangerMouse · 12-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

Well, it would help to know more of what you are looking for. Prieur and Chevalier are the exact same blade. They feel a bit like a BF but are on average heavier and with a slightly shorter life.

It looks like you haven't bought a Chevalier recently. They went from super stiff to light a flexible. You are right that they don't last long.

I'm a fan of the StM. The recent batches I've ordered have felt almost identical to BF blades and range from similar flexibility to the stiff side (depending on what I request from Absolute).

epeemike81 · 12-12-2007, 12:21 PM

For durability, you can't beat Vniti in my experience. Personally, I like the feel and flexibility (or lack thereof) of the BF better, but Vnitis just last longer.

-m

Nolano · 12-12-2007, 04:01 PM

Well, my $70~ STM also broke recently, and I replaced it with a LP Non-FIE blade. Like CVille said, it is much different, and I've had to modify my strategy to include more finesse and flicks and less oppositions and binds.... But I still love it.

If I had to pick a heavier blade, I would probably want one like my coach's PBT epee. It's heavier and a little stiffer, so you have good opposition strength, yet still flexible enough to work for flicking. He also got it for $80, and for how nice it is, I would have paid the extra over my STM any day. However, he got it at a national tournament, and after looking through many many blades to find one with the right feel for him, so I dunno how much luck you would have.

CvilleFencer · 12-13-2007, 12:16 AM

Just FYI PBT blades are private labels of BF and StM non and FIE blades along with LM FIE blades. At least in the US. IIRC overseas they also sell Prieur and Vniti blades.

Miglin · 12-13-2007, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse

It looks like you haven't bought a Chevalier recently. They went from super stiff to light a flexible. You are right that they don't last long.

I'm a fan of the StM. The recent batches I've ordered have felt almost identical to BF blades and range from similar flexibility to the stiff side (depending on what I request from Absolute).

Since when? My Chevalier FIE blade is only a few months old, and it is heavy and stiff.

seven6ty · 12-13-2007, 01:17 PM

Are you both talking epee, or foil Chevaliers? I just got an FIE Chevalier epee blade, and it is certainly light, and just the tiniest tiniest bit more flexible/flicky than my BF's. I actually love the feel of it a lot. Not sure what the durability will be like though.

freerider258 · 12-13-2007, 02:09 PM

I am talking just epee. at practice I used my friends Prieur blade, purple color, and it was like liquid in my hand! awesome! It was pretty flicky, very light and great on point control. does prieur just make one kind of epee blade b/c im prob going to buy the complete prieur FIE epee. the vniti i tryed was a bit to skinny for me since im a blade on blade action fencer

CvilleFencer · 12-13-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerider258

the vniti i tryed was a bit to skinny for me since im a blade on blade action fencer

Eh? I don't get that last part.

The problem I have found with PS/Chevalier blades is that they vary from batch to batch. Like a lot. Like they make BF look consistent and cookie cutter. Some are light, well balanced and flexible or medium stiff. Some of them feel a lot like a BF. Others more like an StM. Some are heavy (around 200 grams, much more than the average Vniti!) and some early ones kink rather badly. Some last a long time and have a lot of flex and spring.

I have some regular customers that use them, or at least did until recently. One customer pommeled a French and was the classic epee sniper. He liked light and fast. Another does a lot of blade actions and some flicks. He went with the heavier ones in medium. Another is kind of a mix. He likes mid weight and stiff. Sorting through a pile of PS/Chevalier blades from different batches I could find blades that made them all happy!

Moral of the story. If you are going to buy them, either know the batches you like the feel, order from a vendor that will pick out what you like or pick them out by hand in person.