Epeeists! What blade do you use?

[Nolano]

I'm curious about what blades the epee fencers here use. If not one listed, select "other" and please comment as to what.

[FusionWhite]

Well i dont see a poll but I use a Vniti (I have 2) and a Leon Paul FIE. I just bought the Leon Paul and love it.

[Nolano]

Sorry, the poll took a minute to post. It posts the post, then you make the poll.

[Stormbringer]

I currently use Prieur Sports/Chevalier FIE blades as my primary weapons, and an older (circa 2005) Prieur non-FIE blade as my backup to those.

I've found that I find that I like the feel of the Prieur blades; they're neither too stiff nor too flexible, neither too light nor too heavy, and seem to be overall well-balanced. About the problem I had with them is that they don't seem to come in a "plain" version, but I've gotten used to the blue/indigo coloring.

I've handled friends' Vniti and LP blades, as well as the BG, SG, STM, and "Z" budget blades, the old "Holstein Plus" blades, and some weird, narrower blades stamped with what appears to be "PR" or "RP" within a starburst pattern. I'd still say that the Prieur blades is the best (for me)...

[CvilleFencer]

Just FYI you probably should have included LM into the mix. With PBT and Blade selling them now I am seeing them more and more at tourneys.

I use BF Blue FIE blades on my Primary (French grip) tourney fencing epee's but I also have an LM and a Prieur FIE. For when I am feeling pistol grippy I use a K pro and a BF. For giving lessons I use a Vniti or K-pro. Most of our loaner/student epees at the club are LP non-FIE blades. So yeah, I use just about everything, but for fencing in tourneys primarily I use the BF FIE blues.

[Zilverzmurfen]

A single-choice poll? *huh*
That wasn't very clever, was it?

[IvorDarcy]

I use the Kolobkov Pro's and the BF Blue's. Both are excellent blades and I highly recommend them.

[TBean]

LP non-FIE because they are so light. It makes fencing with a gimpy elbow possible.

[XanderHal]

I started with an StM non-FIE, lasted 1 year. Bought an FIE-N StM 6 months after the non FIE and they broke at the same time. I now have 3 blades (2 pistol, 1 french) all with LP non-FIE's. After they go if I don't like them I will probably try Vniti FIE's.

[DangerMouse]

Primarily StM FIE blades for the bang for the buck factor, but I also have some BF FIE and some France Lames FIE (that's right).

[Nolano]

A single-choice poll? *huh*
That wasn't very clever, was it?

I should have phrased the question as to what your favorite blade is. I wanted it to be a one choice thing.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I should have phrased the question as to what your favorite blade is. I wanted it to be a one choice thing.

Ok.

(extra)

[kuroutesshin]

My favorite blade (thus far, and on my limited budget) is a simpe StM colored blade. I started off with a LP non-FIE v-blade, but the forte is quite short (if powerful) and the foible is extremely weak. I need more power to power further down the blade, so the flexibility of the LP wasn't cutting it for me, though I still use it every now and again.

I definitely like the StM because it fixes some of the problems I had with my LP. Granted, it's not the most high-end, but it's a definite improvement over an older BG blade I was using- too heavy, extremely weak foible and a blocky forte. I've got an LP GT tip on it that works very well. All around I'm extremely happy with it- it's no FIE-grade blade, but it's still flexible enough while retaining the strength I like.

[the reluctant fencer]

I haven't found an ideal blade just yet.

The best compromise I had found for my fencing style is a BF FIE. I generally like the blued ones but have had the white ones as well.
I have had about 10 of these over a period of about 5 years. I would cycle through my blades and use them in practice and in competition so that I am comfortable with each one. With this strategy each blade would last 8-9 months with a mix of practice, small competitions, and national competitions.
I fenced 2-3 times a week with about 1-1.5 hours of actual bouting time each practice day.

I have since begun to try other blades since I am not as competitive as before. (have other priorities, went from high level fencing competitions to more recreation-based)
I have a 2006 STM FIE with which I am not pleased with the forging quality(air pockets in the metal of the blade) but it seems to work fine.
Also have an old 2004 Flesche that doesn't want to die... I want an excuse to get a new blade...
and I have 2 BF blades. One old and one still almost like new(with my custom grip on it).