SOP for new foil blades

[fleshbroiler]

Got thinking about this after discussing blade impact potential on another thread.

My coach told me whenever you get a new blade, to "train" a slight downward curve into it to. I assumed this was to insure that the blade deflected on impact, an action that would limit the peak stresses on the blade and the target.

Is this supposed to be common practice for everyone? Is this the same for epee?

[mrbiggs]

All correct. It's to ensure that the blade bends correctly when it hits target, everyone does (or should do) it, and it's true for epee as well as foil.

It used to be that foil would generally have fairly distinct blade bends because bends are more permissible, but since the 1 cm rule foilists have been bending their blades a bit less. Some would say that this rule makes blades last less long and hits hurt more while causing ridiculous cards and doing nothing about the flick.

[Hauptman]

I've always done it. My understanding is that this also helps the blade consistantly bend in the same direction, as having it bend back and forth from touch to touch would weaken the blade more quickly.