STM Blades vs. Leon Paul

[Cgriml3y]

my coach just sold me a new blade and I have been using it for a few days. Last time I bought a new blade was 3 years ago... This new one just seems so heavy to me... that's the problem. Even after balancing it and everything, it shouldn't have to be balanced up, right? They always say balance it down and to the left.

I have never bought any Leon Paul equipment, (I have about 4 years of fencing) and am considering maybe buying a blade from them just to try it out. My previous blades felt lighter (although they wern't Leon Paul)

Somebody at fencing told me that maybe a Leon Paul blade would be better for me and lighter. Would that be a good choice?

Should I experiment with Leon Paul blades?
(Any of you who have bought one, are they very whippy? Basically what I want is not too whippy but with a lighter feel.)

Now if I do go through the trouble of ordering a Leon Paul blade..... which to order? http://www.leonpaulusa.com/fencing/a...lades__27.html

EDIT: http://www.allstar-uhlmann.co.uk/aca...re_Blades.html What about those ones?

[bballchick77]

in my fencing experience, i have found that the STM blades break very easily - i went through about 3 every two months. now that just be my style of fencing, but i would opt for the leon paul blades. they definitly won't break for a while

[DRed]

Our uni club has Paul Maraging and Budget Maraging from 1994! They survive, and they seem in good shape too.

[Cgriml3y]

I'm more worried about the weight... if leon paul blades seem lighter to you?

[ShadyLane]

I'm more worried about the weight... if leon paul blades seem lighter to you?

I have a STM and LP foil weapon. STM's are much heavier than LP blades (note that I am talking about non-FIE ones).

I find the STM a bit heavier and stiffer than LP ones. LP Paul France blades are a bit whippy overtime but they seem to last a long time, depending on your style of fencing. For me, my LP weapons have been around for at least 3-4 years and they are still in good condition. Again, it depends on your style of fencing - I notice some people break blades more frequently than others. Hope that helps.

[SJCFU#2]

In case no one has noticed the blades the OP asked about are all saber blades so comments regarding the durability and feel of foil and épée blades may not be particularly apropos.

Saber blades tend to take a beating and therefore have relatively short lives and expensive blades rarely seem to last much longer than less expensive ones (which may account for the fact that maraging blades are not required for FIE saber competitions). Many saber fencers favor STM blades simply because they are reasonably durable yet inexpensive enough to replace on a regular basis.

[Cgriml3y]

Yea.. I forgot to mention I'm a saberist.

A girl at the club today had a LP blade so I asked her if I could try it. She had it ballanced up and to the right so it felt all weird to me but I think it did feel a little lighter. I'll probably just order one and play around with it, see if I can bend it as I'm used to.

[Pescados666]

My dry Etoile is quite whippy now. Luckialy I like it that way.