What type of foil is this?

[ACrimsonRapier]

So I watch a lot of fencing on DVD of the world championships and such, and I'm always amazed by the flexibility of the fencer's foils. They're like noodles. And while, for the most part, people are told not to flick anymore, it's clearly done somewhat frequently. First, I was wondering if anyone knew what type of foil those world champions--Baldini, Joppich, etc--were using.

On a similar note, in this picture the fencer's blade on the left (the one ducking) is bending in such an awkward way, it's beyond me. I have a BF and I definitely can't mimic that bend, on or off the strip.

http://www.flickershutter.com/June%2...ages/007g.html

[Purple Fencer]

Maraging blades aren't any less flexible than carbon steel....they just break less, which is the whole idea.

And you'd be amazed how fast those blades can whip around...as yo see frok the slow mo, it's pretty significant....it's just very fast.

[ACrimsonRapier]

True, but it doesn't exactly answer my question. =[ I'm able to flick decently on the new timings, but my blade isn't bending like that. For the most part I just have the right angle, and hit the right spots. Is it really just a difference in arm/wrist/finger strength/speed?
When I'm watching the DVDs and such and they bend their foils for adjustments they can bend it so much lower than I can, much further down the forte (that's the correct term, right?). I'm pretty sure if I did that (not that I have the strength) the blade would snap in half.

[OROD]

True, but it doesn't exactly answer my question.

My guess is that they're using the same kind of FIE blades that everyone else uses. There are no special super-flicky blades that only the elite fencers have access to... at least, not that I'm aware of.

I'm able to flick decently on the new timings, but my blade isn't bending like that. For the most part I just have the right angle, and hit the right spots. Is it really just a difference in arm/wrist/finger strength/speed?

You dont know how your blade bends because you cant see how it bends like you can when you are watching a DVD of a bout. But, yes, it's possible that the people you are watching have better strength and technique than you do. They are also likely fencing more aggressively.

When I'm watching the DVDs and such and they bend their foils for adjustments they can bend it so much lower than I can, much further down the forte (that's the correct term, right?). I'm pretty sure if I did that (not that I have the strength) the blade would snap in half.

I'm pretty sure it wouldnt, not unless you have an old blade that has already suffered lots of metal fatigue. Any new(ish) FIE blade can easily be bent without it breaking.

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[OROD]

On a similar note, in this picture the fencer's blade on the left (the one ducking) is bending in such an awkward way, it's beyond me. I have a BF and I definitely can't mimic that bend, on or off the strip.

You must not have been fencing for very long, because that's a very common bend. There's nothing particularly special about it.

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[Pescados666]

I was watching some womens olympic fencing video and this one chicks blade was just sorta wobbling when she had come en guarde. Anyone know how the flickmaster is? Might be it...

[Purple Fencer]

There IS a limit to how flexible the blade can be...I'd have to look up the actual min and max deflection amounts, however.

So even the stiffest blade can whip around a lot if you have a technique that allows it.

[HDG]

this one chicks blade

Really?

[Craig]

On a similar note, in this picture the fencer's blade on the left (the one ducking) is bending in such an awkward way, it's beyond me. I have a BF and I definitely can't mimic that bend, on or off the strip.

http://www.flickershutter.com/June%2...ages/007g.html

That's just an s-curve to the blade - happens a lot, especially when there's a combination of quick collapsing of the distance and less than optimal hand position.

Craig

[GypsyScot]

That's just an s-curve to the blade
Craig

Thats gonna kill somebody...

That is seriously the most frightening S-curve I've ever seen, rivaling the "martyr's blade" we keep in my living room (1987 Castello foil w/ wicked S-curve) for menacing bad roommates.

[OROD]

Thats gonna kill somebody....

I doubt it.

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[ACrimsonRapier]

Then it must be the extent of the s-curve that had me so confused, and wondering what type of foil that was.

"When I'm watching the DVDs and such and they bend their foils for adjustments they can bend it so much lower than I can, much further down the forte (that's the correct term, right?). I'm pretty sure if I did that (not that I have the strength) the blade would snap in half."

Imagine you're holding the handle of your foil in your right hand. Now place the thumb of your left hand about 8-10 inches up the blade and try to bend it there. It's not easy. Now try to bend it at a 45 degree angle without much effort.

And OROD, you're quick to judge. Just because I'm oblivious doesn't mean I'm new to fencing. =P I was a bit offended.

[OROD]

And OROD, you're quick to judge. Just because I'm oblivious doesn't mean I'm new to fencing. =P I was a bit offended.

I didnt realize that saying someone has not been fencing long is an insult. In any case I didnt mean to offend you. I was just trying to point out that those types of bends (s-curves) happen all the time. Heck, I get one of those at least once every fencing session.

As far as bending the blade further up the forte, some blades are naturally more easily bendable than others. Leon-Paul blades, as I recall, are very flexible like that. But I dont think you can break any blade (unless it's old) by bending it up high, it might only seem like it'll break.

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[Pescados666]

Just got a chance to look at the picture, rather ghetto strip compaired to what I'm used to.

[OROD]

So you think that one bend was bad, how about these?

http://www.flickershutter.com/June%2...ages/023r.html

http://www.flickershutter.com/June%2...ages/059g.html

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[Pescados666]

It's probably just normal bends that you have gotten but the picture was taken so fast that it captured it like that, notice how the people are off the ground in alot of the pictures.

[OROD]

It's probably just normal bends that you have gotten but the picture was taken so fast that it captured it like that, notice how the people are off the ground in alot of the pictures.

That's because all those pictures were taken when a hit occured. They had automatic cameras attached to the scoring machines, and when a light went off it would trigger the camera to take a picture.

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[catwood1]

That's because all those pictures were taken when a hit occured. They had automatic cameras attached to the scoring machines, and when a light went off it would trigger the camera to take a picture.

.

That is a new level of awesome...

[Warrior Princess]

When blades get older, they become more flexible. Someone mentioned it (metal fatigue). And a curve like the one in those blades would really worry me. I wouldn't be able to fix it on the strip without making the blade bend WAY past the limit.

[OROD]

That is a new level of awesome...

Yes, they did this on several occasions for the Bay Cup tournaments. Pretty nice. They had strobe lights on either end of the strip and a camera all hooked up to the scoring machine and a computer. When a hit went off, the strobes and camera would go off and upload the photo to the computer instantly.

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