NNS Fantasma Epee Blade

[clonardo]

Does anyone have experience with this blade? I hate to give Blade any money, but $65 seems like a decent price for a bare FIE epee blade (especially considering the weak dollar)- http://www.blade-fencing.com/store/item.htm?itemid=574

I fence sabre, but there are enough tightwad epeeists on my team who would jump on this if it's any good

[KD5MDK]

Liste des lames d’épée homologuées par la SEMI FIE – 6 new épee blades in 2007, 4 en 2008
List of épée blades approved by the SEMI FIE / Lista de hojas de ESPADA homologadas por la SEMI FIE
EPEE (mois . année)
1 LEON PAUL : (95) (97) (3.00) (2.01) (3.02) (3.04) (4.04) (2.06) (1.07)
2 FRANCE LAMES : (2.97) (4.98) (1.99) (1.00) (2.01) sigle FL
3 BLAISE FRERES : (95) (3.96) (1.98) (11.99) (1.00) (2.01) (1.02) (4.03) (5.04) (2.05) (2.06) (2.07) sigle BF
4 LAMMET : (95) (1.96) (9.98) (11.99) (11.00) (12.01) (12.02) (1.04) (5.06) sigle LM
5 AO VNITI : (2.97) (12.98) (12.99) (11.00) (12.01) (12.02) (12.03) (5.06)
6 ALLSTAR/UHLMANN : (97) (12.99) (2.01) (2.01 "N") (3.02) sigle FS
7 WEYERSBERG KIRSCHBAUM : (98) (3.01) sigle KW
8 SPORTSERVICE (STM) : (2.99) (4.00) (4.00 "N") (11.01) (7.03) (1.05) (1.05 "N") (6.07)
9 PRIEUR SPORT : (3.99) (9.01) (5.02) (2.04) (2.05) (1.06) (1.06 "N") (1.07) (1.08) (1.08 "N") sigle PS
10 METAL WEST : (3.03 "N") (3.05 "N") (3.06 "N")
11 CHEVALIER D’AUVERGNE : (4.03) (2.05) (1.06) (1.06 "N") (1.07) (1.08) (1.08"N") sigle CA
12 Gloria-Pro : (6.07) sigle LT

I don't see it on this list.

[clonardo]

interesting.. the photo clearly shows the letters NS inside the FIE shield.

[KD5MDK]

I agree. Most curious.

[Purple Fencer]

I'll ask Dan DeChaine....but I THINK those are really Metal West blades...i seem to recall NS being the mark the last time I saw one...and yes, I know that mark's not on the list.

[FusionWhite]

I have one and I liked the feel of the blade. Its stiffer then a Viniti but still fairly light. My biggest complaint about it is that it rusted REALLY fast. Ive had it for about 4 months and its rusting like crazy.

[KD5MDK]

I didn't think maraging steel should do that. Interesting.

[FusionWhite]

I didn't think maraging steel should do that. Interesting.

Thats what I found strange. I kept that blade in the exact same conditions as both my Vniti blades (in a bag, in PVC covers, sometimes in my locker) and the Vniti's show no signs of rust at all.

[bigdawg2121]

I believe that it, like other blades with an N listed after the blade marking is non-maraging. Hence, it would rust like anything else (but apparently has passed the FIE tests for certification??!?)...it's the last part that always confused me.

[SJCFU#2]

I believe that it, like other blades with an N listed after the blade marking is non-maraging. Hence, it would rust like anything else (but apparently has passed the FIE tests for certification??!?)...it's the last part that always confused me.

The FIE approves non-maraging blades provided they pass the fatigue resistance test, which means that the test sample can withstand a minimum number of bending/straightening cycles (7,000 cycles for épée) without breaking. Unfortunately this test does not necessarily replicate real world conditions since the test samples aren't subjected to the sort of abuse which they would experience in actual use. The small nicks or dings that can result from beats and parries often provide a place where crack can start and it is usually these cracks that ultimately cause the blade to fail.

[Purple Fencer]

The FIE approves non-maraging blades provided they pass the fatigue resistance test, which means that the test sample can withstand a minimum number of bending/straightening cycles (7,000 cycles for épée) without breaking. Unfortunately this test does not necessarily replicate real world conditions since the test samples aren't subjected to the sort of abuse which they would experience in actual use. The small nicks or dings that can result from beats and parries often provide a place where crack can start and it is usually these cracks that ultimately cause the blade to fail.

True....but the major point of maraging steel is that the propagation of that crack is significantly slower (10 ties) than normal carbon steel....hence the longer general lifespan of an FIE blade.

[SJCFU#2]

True....but the major point of maraging steel is that the propagation of that crack is significantly slower (10 ties) than normal carbon steel....hence the longer general lifespan of an FIE blade.

Yes, and this alone may be enough to account for the absence of FIE approved non-maraging foil blades (foil blades are required to withstand at least 18,000 cycles without breaking - almost three times the requirement for épée blades).

I also suspect that were a few beats added to the existing test (in order to more accurately simulate the wear and abuse associated with regular use) then most of the maraging blades would still be able to pass the test. I doubt that the same could be said of non-maraging blades.