Need advice for keeping new Stm epee in good shape

[Queen_Maleah]

So I am going to get my new electric stm epee tomorrow that I ordered from fencingstar.com. I am very excited because this is the first time I have bought myself a new blade ever. (I am a begginer.) What must I know to keep it in good shape? What can I do to prevent it from getting bent up a lot?
Please tell me what I must do to keep it nice so I can get my dollars worth out of it as possible.
Thanks!!!

[Pescados666]

You're about in the same stage of fencing as I am, I just bought my first electric foil also. I'd suggest buying a pvc pipe to keep it in. I wouldn't suggest using it to fence dry if you have a dry epee to use.

[counterattack]

Do not ever store it with anything wet (that goes for body cords as well). Make sure that it always has a gentle, uniform bend. If you get a bend in it, fix it immediately. I often see beginners with s-curves in their blades. A hard hit with an s-curve equals a broken blade. To make sure you do not have an s-curve you will need to get in that habit of checking your weapon at every halt in the action. It is a good habit to be in.

[SJCFU#2]

Test your new épée when it arrives, not only to make sure that it works but that it passes weight and shim.

Learn how to take apart the tip and adjust the travel (consider it a basic survival skill for épée).

Get some spare tip screws (you will need them soon enough)

Put a shallow, uniform bend in the blade prior to using for the first time (if you don't know what you are doing then ask your coach for help). Your blade will appreciate it.

As others have already said, don't mix blades and wet clothing together. PVC tubes serve as a nice barrier but there are other options as well.

[TBean]

Weapons and damp equal rust - do not store your wet gear with your blades.

Put a shallow curve in your blade - I will suggest asking your coach or a more experienced fencer to help you - it is easier to see someone do this than trying to explain. Keep good distance and hit correctly - this is the best way to not get strange bends in your blade.

[KidLazy]

What can I do to prevent it from getting bent up a lot?

Don't use it.

[CvilleFencer]

Take your StM non-FIE epee blade and replace it with a Vniti, LP or LM FIE blade. That way it will last a good long time and won't rust or kink up to badly with use for many months or even years.

Failing that, realize that it is a middle of the road non-FIE blade and that it will kink, rust and break eventually. To minimize this, follow the advice given such as put in a proper curve, always make sure it is straight before fencing with it, sand it down with a scrubby to keep the rust off (don't use any kind of oil on it!) and store it in a PVC pipe type sheath that is NOT capped on one end, or if it is put in a little pouch of moisture absorbing material (along the lines of desiccant). The sheath is to keep it from coming in contact with damp gear (bad for your gear as well) and from getting the blade bent up while traveling.

[magic_moose]

You now have an extra strong incentive to "keep proper distance", as your coach doubtless reminds you periodically. The better you are at this, the longer your blade will last.