Father needs help with buying sword for daughter's b-day

[Queen_Maleah]

I want to by an electric leon paul epee for my daughter, but I do not understand the advantages of a light-weight or a heavier blade. Does a heavier blade deflect a light blade making it easier for more points? Or is it better to have a lighter- weight blade to allow less fatigue?
For a beginner which handle teaches the best technique, pistol grip or french?
I realize that there is no correct answer, but woul appreciate some advice.

Thank you for your imput.

PS. I am borrowing my daughter's account. (That explains the name hopefully.)

[oiuyt]

Talking to your daughter's coach is probably your best bet. S/he should know your daughter, her development, her style, and possibly her preferences. You'll get much better-tuned advice than we could possibly hope to offer you here.

-B

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Damn! And I was just going to suggest the 7-pound, 2-handed longsword with the power-assisted caltrop dispenser as an entry level weapon.

Now you've ruined it!

[VorpalCat]

Damn! And I was just going to suggest the 7-pound, 2-handed longsword with the power-assisted caltrop dispenser as an entry level weapon.

Now you've ruined it!

No, no, no. Trebuchets are the way to go. Always.

(And this is why my sister's kids luuuuuurve their aunt! )

[Phincer]

No, no, no. Trebuchets are the way to go. Always.

(And this is why my sister's kids luuuuuurve their aunt! )

As Mr. Burns would say "eeeegggselent".

[Mo]

Since this thread has been totally ripped I have a question. What is a father doing with the name "Queen Maleah?"

Let the kid pick out her own weapon. Take her to an NAC where there are lots of weapons vendors and let her go down the line. It will be a learning experience for her and you.

The Momster

[TheNakedSword]

What is a father doing with the name "Queen Maleah?"


The Momster

LOL...maybe Dad is very sensitive and likes to play dress up.

[Rockstar44]

I want to by an electric leon paul epee for my daughter, but I do not understand the advantages of a light-weight or a heavier blade. Does a heavier blade deflect a light blade making it easier for more points? Or is it better to have a lighter- weight blade to allow less fatigue?
For a beginner which handle teaches the best technique, pistol grip or french?
I realize that there is no correct answer, but woul appreciate some advice.

Thank you for your imput.

As OIUYT posted, her coach is really the person you should ask. That being said, my input is:

The amount of "deflection" a heavier blade will have is so minute that it wouldn't be noticable.

A lighter blade will result in less fatigue to the fencer, significant for a younger person. She will also be faster and have better point control with a lighter weapon. Even a tiny increase in speed will make a big difference (especially in epee).

Grip style is pretty much a matter of preference, although I think that there are advantages to a french style grip for epee. A french grip will teach and will allow better point control with the fingers than will any orthopaedic grip. I would recommend against the "tennis raquet" grip for a beginner.

Take the advice you find here and discuss it with her coach, though, before you decide.


By the way, I personally would recommend the LP lightweight blades.

[wahrman]

Take a beginner to a NAC? Spend several hundred dollars to pick out an epee?

It could be cheaper to just buy them all and then decide.

Let the kid pick out her own weapon. Take her to an NAC where there are lots of weapons vendors and let her go down the line. It will be a learning experience for her and you.

The Momster

[VorpalCat]

Take a beginner to a NAC? Spend several hundred dollars to pick out an epee?

It could be cheaper to just buy them all and then decide.

She said take her to a NAC, not enter her in it. You know, spectators get in free and all that?

[wahrman]

The point was, unless she's lucky and it's a short drive, that is likely to be
close to $1000 in airfare for the pair of them.

She said take her to a NAC, not enter her in it. You know, spectators get in free and all that?

[SJCFU#2]

She said take her to a NAC, not enter her in it. You know, spectators get in free and all that?

Still only a fiscally-viable option if the NAC happens to be local.

[VorpalCat]

The point was, unless she's lucky and it's a short drive, that is likely to be
close to $1000 in airfare for the pair of them.

Still only a fiscally-viable option if the NAC happens to be local.

True and true -- depending on what one considers 'short drive' and 'local.' I'm admittedly a bit of an iron-butt so my perspective may be a bit skewed on that.

[Nolano]

I have a leon paul, and I like it. I lost a little bit of opposition power with it, but I made up for it by refining my technique a bit. I'm still physically stronger than a lot of people that I fence, so it's not a big deal.