Hello.

[L1nk1]

Hi, new to the forums and the sport of fencing.

My experience in fencing? None.

My knowledge in fencing? Limited to what random dreams i had and the occasional look on wikipedia about the different styles.

I've read about a bit in this part of the forums. A bit about myself *skip if you're not interested*

Im young, 19.
I've never fenced.
The sport intrigues me and for some reason I have this urge to do it. Not just for for fun but I wanna compete.

I haven't taken the time yet to look at the rest of the forum due to the euro cup match starting soon and me having to go get ready for work.

So a few questions if anyone can take the time to answer.

I've noticed alot of people (only 2 posts actually) comment on how the 'foil' style is better than the other two in terms of 'whats hip' or what not. But if I can get a general breakdown of each 3 styles and the type of people which prefer either/or styles, that would be quite helpful in helping me decide what i should try first rather than trying all 3.

I'm probably going to start in september, fencing, at my university. I was told I need to take a few basic courses before i join the competitive side of it, where the training is more excessive. Any words of advice would be helpful.

Cheers.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by L1nk1

Hi, new to the forums and the sport of fencing.

Hello thar!

Originally Posted by L1nk1

My experience in fencing? None.

Mine too sorta not really.

Originally Posted by L1nk1

My knowledge in fencing? Limited to what random dreams i had and the occasional look on wikipedia about the different styles.

Wikipedia? This guy is already cool.

Originally Posted by L1nk1

I've read about a bit in this part of the forums. A bit about myself *skip if you're not interested*

You lurk? I'm interested!

Originally Posted by L1nk1

Im young, 19.
I've never fenced.
The sport intrigues me and for some reason I have this urge to do it. Not just for for fun but I wanna compete.

Nice, it's God's calling!

Originally Posted by L1nk1

I haven't taken the time yet to look at the rest of the forum due to the euro cup match starting soon and me having to go get ready for work.

Nice! A well-rounded guy!

Originally Posted by L1nk1

I've noticed alot of people (only 2 posts actually) comment on how the 'foil' style is better than the other two in terms of 'whats hip' or what not.

OMFG! I LOVE THIS GUY! HE'S SO COOL. (If he's reffering to my posts, and even if he's not.)

Originally Posted by L1nk1

But if I can get a general breakdown of each 3 styles and the type of people which prefer either/or styles, that would be quite helpful in helping me decide what i should try first rather than trying all 3.

You should try all three, or at least experience them (watch or of the like) to get a personal understanding.

-Foil is a point weapon, with right-of-way (a set of rules to make it based more on skill than luck) and a flippier and more 'bendy' blade. The target area is torso. It's medium paced usually and relative to the others. Foilists like to be skinny kids, because the target area is smaller. Foilists are generally smartest and the only one's that get into heaven. (somewhat bias)

-Sabre is also a right of way, but isn't a point weapon, the entire blade can make contact and score, and thus it's more slashing and cutting. Sabre is relatively and usually the fastest paced of the weapons with the target area being the torso and arms and head. (i.e. nothing below the waist). Sabre fencers tend to howl and scream, and thus have been compared to animals, namely monkeys.

-Epee is the lamest weapon. It doesn't have right of way, so it's mostly just luck (^^). It's a point weapon like foil, so you must hit only with the tip of the weapon. It's the slowest paced, more boring, and overall dull. Epee bouts aren't fun to watch, or fence in. Epeeists are usually tall (because it gives a slight advantage usually) and very dull, boring, and lame people.

Originally Posted by L1nk1

I'm probably going to start in september, fencing, at my university. I was told I need to take a few basic courses before i join the competitive side of it, where the training is more excessive. Any words of advice would be helpful.

Cheers.

Just practice and be pro, not much more to it.

[Inquartata]

Did you ever arrive in a third-world country and find yourself swarmed by pertinacious children anxious to "guide" you wherever you wanted to go? When really they were just out for themselves, and were as likely to abandon you in a bad part of town or even lead you into a mugging as to actually prove helpful?

Congrats, Link1, you've just met one of those! I suggest you keep a hand on your wallet and a careful eye on your surroundings...

[Neinteen]

Nice introduction for yourself Inq, though, as usual and with anything you do, it wasn't as good as me.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Did you ever arrive in a third-world country and find yourself swarmed by pertinacious children anxious to "guide" you wherever you wanted to go? When really they were just out for themselves, and were as likely to abandon you in a bad part of town or even lead you into a mugging as to actually prove helpful?

Congrats, Link1, you've just met one of those! I suggest you keep a hand on your wallet and a careful eye on your surroundings...

In cage one, we have a sabre fencer. Related to the howler monkey and orangutan, this sabre fencer is crusty, old, and curmudgeony.

[Rabid Monk]

Originally Posted by L1nk1

. . . if I can get a general breakdown of each 3 styles and the type of people which prefer either/or styles, that would be quite helpful in helping me decide what i should try first rather than trying all 3.

This should tell you all you need to know on that subject.


And yes, you will need to learn the basics before you can go and start getting your arse handed to you in a competition. And then lots of practice before you can start handing out arses.


By that way, I think Nein has a crush on you.
I recommend a restraining order...

[Inquartata]

Derivative, my dear gibbon, very derivative.

Can't you do any better than appropriate other people's gibes?

What next, "I'm rubber you're glue"?

Tsk.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

"I'm rubber you're glue"?

Nah, you're just a grumpy old troll that lives under a bridge, and I'm a cool billygoat that's gonna trample you.

[Inquartata]

Ah...do you know what a billygoat is?

I think you have the wrong...er...equipment for that job.

Your qualification for gibbon are impeccable, though.

[Neinteen]

In the story, there was a family of billgoats trying to cross a bridge. So there must be female ones.

My brain owns you.

[Inquartata]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billygoat

[Neinteen]

Never knew that. I learnded something because of INQUARTATATATA! WOOO!

[Inquartata]

The correct word is "taught". Unless you're from backwoods West Virginia or the bayou.

I suppose I shouldn't expect grammar from a gibbon, though.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I don't understand the howling of the flying monkeys, so I'll just take your facial expression, (eww! I have to look at you) and assume you're ready and willing to follow my commands!

[yazzywazzy]

No offence but come on now... Epee is not lame. The true combat weapon is not lame. It's good to start with foil first though. It's easier to head to sabre or epee if you have had good groundwork on foil.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by yazzywazzy

No offence but come on now... Epee is not lame.

This is a joke right?

Originally Posted by yazzywazzy

The true combat weapon is not lame.

It is the true combat weapon of barbarians, civil swordsmen have developed rules.

Originally Posted by yazzywazzy

It's good to start with foil first though. It's easier to head to sabre or epee if you have had good groundwork on foil.

Why would you head anywhere else once you've gripped a foil? It's like worshiping God for half your life, then Satan for the latter half.

[the maple epee]

Maybe Nein should be restrained from posting in intro threads...

[Neinteen]

Maybe Maple should be restrained... in a cage.. in my basement...