Next Level Foil blade?

[EdGardner]

So, its about time for me to upgrade my weapons.

I am still a n00b, so I still think I need a blade that has some stiffness to it, I cna see myself bending the crap out of and quickly breaking some uber light/expensive blade, but I think I can stand something other than the FdN and AF beginner foil blades, which have been good so far. I had my first real malfunction last night from use, so my first one has lasted me 6 months of moderate use.

I am still struggling with the grip question, I tried a visconti, but it set my fingers on fire, so either I am doing something wrong or my carpal tunnel syndrome is working that badly against me, so it will take some more time for me to make that transition.

So the question is: Whats a modest step up, blade wise, from your basic beginner foil blade, preferably available from fencing.net?

[HDG]

Fleche (dinamo).

[Craig]

So the question is: Whats a modest step up, blade wise, from your basic beginner foil blade, preferably available from fencing.net?

The next steps up would be:
StM Non-FIE: Medium flex, decent blade.
Dinamo (These are sent out by StM now also - none in stock at the moment.)
Leon Paul Etoile: A bit whippy. Lighter than the StM
Leon Paul France: Springier than the Etoile. Slightly stiffer.

After that, it's FIE blades.

Craig

[CvilleFencer]

As mentioned, StM/Dynamo is probably your best bet. The LP non-FIE blades are nice, but they run flexible and get more so with use. On the plus side, they are super light weight. Still, at my club I generally start with StM blades for foil and graduate fencers up from there into Vniti FIE blades. From there it depends on the fencer but if they want something with a different feel/attributes I recommend either LP G Pro, LP Flickmaster or BF foil blades.

[EdGardner]

Exactly the info I needed, thanks folks!

So I am clear, we're talking about this, right?
http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fdn-44106.htm

[SJCFU#2]

Unless you need a complete weapon then you might consider simply getting a new blade like this one.

However at this stage I would suggest buying it already wired, and maybe even asking Craig to cant the tang for you in advance. That way all you'll have to do is mate it with your existing guard, socket, grip and pommel.

[EdGardner]

Trying to ease into it, and I only have a couple foils at the moment, figure it can't hurt to have additional complete weapons.

[lanyingjie]

Ouch. I have been hanging around entry level China-made blades for the past six months, but I just coughed up cash to buy an FIE blade, since it'd have made economic sense for me.

A China-made blade is SGD 30 for each. An FIE blade is SGD 130 or so. In the past six month, I've broken 5, so I figured the FIE blade would be better, since my coach told me it should last at LEAST 6 months with the way I fence.

Can't deny that it feels oh so good though.

[jkdjeff]

I went straight to a FIE Vniti blade, and I don't regret it one bit.

[CvilleFencer]

Vniti blades are pretty incredible for their durability. IMHO if you are starting to compete and/or train hard they will pay for themselves in that you will go through several StM or other non-FIE blades before you kill your first Vniti. They really are an awesome blade and probably the #2 choice for FIE blades in the US for mid to high level FIE foil after the BF FIE's. Not quoting any official statistics mind you, but certainly true in my area and from what I have seen at NACs.

[rudd]

Vniti blades are pretty incredible for their durability. IMHO if you are starting to compete and/or train hard they will pay for themselves in that you will go through several StM or other non-FIE blades before you kill your first Vniti. They really are an awesome blade and probably the #2 choice for FIE blades in the US for mid to high level FIE foil after the BF FIE's. Not quoting any official statistics mind you, but certainly true in my area and from what I have seen at NACs.

I used to think the same but I'm not so sure now. I went through about 4 Vniti's last year. Most were about 6-9 months old. I've only got one remaining. I've since moved to BF's as I prefer the feel.

That said may have been a bad batch and they are still a steal for an FIE blade. I would certainly suggest going FIE. Not just for blade longevity but also for performance durability. I've found that standard blades can become so soft and/or distorted that they are useless long before they break.