FIE Certified Points

[oiuyt]

From Craig's blog: http://blog.fencing.net/fwf-foil-point-fie-approved/30/

The FIE voted that for FIE (World Cup and Grand Prix) events the points must now be “FIE Certified”. In my latest batch of parts from the German manufacturer FWF, I got my first look at the FIE Approved point. It’s the standard German foil point, but now it says “FIE 08″ on it.

A picture is included in the blog entry of an FWF point certified for FIE 2008.

Comments? Discussion? Additional information?

-B

[KD5MDK]

A stupid waste of time.

[Fechter1]

It'd be interesting to learn just what makes it FIE-approved...
Specific dimensions, materials, etc?

[GypsyScot]

It'd be interesting to learn just what makes it FIE-approved...
Specific dimensions, materials, etc?

About $3000

[Craig]

Yet another certification test. The point has to pass a certain number of "cycles", which I suspect any point would pass. You just have to submit the points, pay your fee, and wait for the documents.

Craig

[Purple Fencer]

About $3000

And teh whims of Dos Santos.....moronic.

[Tomas N]

Newsflash: This just in!

FIE will now require certified hex nuts. They will have to pass the gruelling nut-case test that requires Dos Santos to give them the evil eye for 6 hours straight without disintegrating. FIE will also require certified lock washers. These will require special quality control testing to ensure their continued lockiness. Exact specifications will be announced 5 months after their first required use. Beginning in the 2009 season, FIE will require certified bellpads. These cannot be clear, must feel smooth to the touch, and not lose their cushiness even after 30 hours of strenuous petting.

Tomas

[Purple Fencer]

Newsflash: This just in!

FIE will now require certified hex nuts. They will have to pass the gruelling nut-case test that requires Dos Santos to give them the evil eye for 6 hours straight without disintegrating. FIE will also require certified lock washers. These will require special quality control testing to ensure their continued lockiness. Exact specifications will be announced 5 months after their first required use. Beginning in the 2009 season, FIE will require certified bellpads. These cannot be clear, must feel smooth to the touch, and not lose their cushiness even after 30 hours of strenuous petting.

Tomas

God.....don't give them ideas!!!

[Barry Paul]

For points it is not entirly a waste of time because it is alleged that by changing the deign within the point it is possible to get flick hits register more often. So the F.I.E. wants only approved designs to be used.

What is much more dangerous is that the F.I.E. is looking at the F.I.E. logo as being a revenue source. For every piece of fencing equipment with an F.I.E. logo on they are thinking of getting a payment. (from the equipment seller)

Already every piste bought this year which is to be used at F.I.E. competition must have a F.I.E. logo and license number which costs each 100 Euro per piste.

They have hinted that they are planning on rolling this cost out to other items so when an FIE jacket is bought they will get a royalty from the manufacturer.

This cost will have to be passed on to the fencer so when you buy an FIE piece of equipment you will be effectively being taxed by the FIE.

The F.I.E. and the 7000 F.I.E. license holders each year will be subsidized by the rest of the worlds fencers, who buy F.I.E. kit not to fence in F.I.E. competitions but for added self protection.

[DHCJr]

Barry, thank you for that information.

Craig, since you stated this is just a standard barrel, but with the logo, does the tip also have a mark on it?

It does seem strange that the new rule M.5.5.a talks about the requirement of the tip.

[DangerMouse]

For points it is not entirly a waste of time because it is alleged that by changing the deign within the point it is possible to get flick hits register more often. So the F.I.E. wants only approved designs to be used.

What is much more dangerous is that the F.I.E. is looking at the F.I.E. logo as being a revenue source. For every piece of fencing equipment with an F.I.E. logo on they are thinking of getting a payment. (from the equipment seller)

Already every piste bought this year which is to be used at F.I.E. competition must have a F.I.E. logo and license number which costs each 100 Euro per piste.

They have hinted that they are planning on rolling this cost out to other items so when an FIE jacket is bought they will get a royalty from the manufacturer.

This cost will have to be passed on to the fencer so when you buy an FIE piece of equipment you will be effectively being taxed by the FIE.

The F.I.E. and the 7000 F.I.E. license holders each year will be subsidized by the rest of the worlds fencers, who buy F.I.E. kit not to fence in F.I.E. competitions but for added self protection.

Sounds like this will open a market for FIE quality (800nw) uniforms that are not FIE approved. Could make safer equipment cheaper, but could also remove controls that prevent less safe equipment from being marketed as FIE...

[SJCFU#2]

The F.I.E. and the 7000 F.I.E. license holders each year will be subsidized by the rest of the worlds fencers, who buy F.I.E. kit not to fence in F.I.E. competitions but for added self protection.

If this comes to pass then I have to wonder how it will be received by those NGB's which require the use of FIE equipment for their own competitions (since they are the ones who will have to answer to individual fencers, not the FIE).

One possibility would be that it could lead to equipment being made to EN 13967 Level II standards without necessarily being FIE approved, similar to many scoring machines are built to FIE specifications with no intention of ever seeking FIE approval. Unfortunately I then have to start wondering who's going to make sure that these items really do meet the standards which they claim to meet.
(edit: I see that while I was typing away DM has stated these points much more succinctly than I ever could have).

Another possibility would be that the FIE would keep their "fee" low enough to avoid riling the peasants (keep the additional cost under 1% and most people probably wouldn't even notice). However given the FIE's previous disregard for the cost to individual fencers I doubt that this would even occur to them.

[Swordmaster]

Sounds like this will open a market for FIE quality (800nw) uniforms that are not FIE approved. Could make safer equipment cheaper, but could also remove controls that prevent less safe equipment from being marketed as FIE...

Maybe this could force the USFA to change the standards of uniforms required to fence in the largest fencing community in the world....the USA! God forbid we put our fencers in the best protection they could have...let's use the cheap, dare I say it, Asian equipment with no standards at all.

[Alex_Paul]

the largest fencing community in the world....the USA!

Where is the ROFL smile?

[Alex_Paul]

Craig, since you stated this is just a standard barrel, but with the logo, does the tip also have a mark on it?

Yes, the tip is marked too.

Presumably you will have to present your weapons for inspection with the tape off...

How well a laser etch will last when scraped against a foil lame is an interesting question. It definitely will scratch off with a Stanley knife and they aren't that hard.

The cost for FIE approval on top of the necessary EN13567 testing is negligable so it definitely will not bring costs down.

Furthermore holding two sets of stock one FIE and one CEN/EN13567 level 2 has cost implications that will eventually in one way or another be passed to the consumer.

[sionnach]

The blog says it applies to GPs and World Cups, does it apply to FIE Satellites too?

I bought a bunch of spare points a few months ago

[telkanuru]

if it's stamped on the barrel, how does that certify the tip?

[Slacker]

AAARRRRGGG. The pettiness of it all. Let's just fence already!

[KD5MDK]

if it's stamped on the barrel, how does that certify the tip?

Yes, the tip is marked too.

I'll bet Dos Santos is pissed he can't demand an FIE logo on the tip screws because it won't fit.

[telkanuru]

Dur me read gud