Brand of sabre blades you prefer?

[headcut]

Well today I broke my trusty Italian sabre blade that was more than 30 yrs old. Lotta miles in that blade. I knew it was coming. Being out of fencing for so long, could someone tell me what brand/model of sabre blade you prefer and why? My old blade was very light and well balanced (and kinda whippy compared to others of it's time). Also, what are the differences in the 3 blades that are sold here at fencing.net? The standard s2000, the stm s2000 blue, and the Paul France? I prefer a light blade that bends easily. Also, this is for non-electric fencing.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Pescados666]

And you fenced competitevly with that blade?

[erooMynohtnA]

And you fenced competitevly with that blade?

Observe:

Also, this is for non-electric fencing.

Just go with StM, it's the international standard for affordable yet good saber blades.

Some vendors are still selling the non S2000 blades, if you want them for recreational fencing.

Edit: The Stm is good, the StM colored is the same except colored, and the Paul France is pretty much the same but costs more.

[Pescados666]

Observe:


Just go with StM, it's the international standard for affordable yet good saber blades.

Some vendors are still selling the non S2000 blades, if you want them for recreational fencing.

Edit: The Stm is good, the StM colored is the same except colored, and the Paul France is pretty much the same but costs more.

ah, yes. I was distracted by my dinner/ramen being done. Only thing I've had to eat all day so I was eager to get to it.

In reference to the OP, StM's are what I see recommended most.

[Black Knight]

hey head cut, wht kind of sabre blade was it? what brand? how could it last such long?

[GypsyScot]

How about we give him what he asked for a good whippy sabre blade, besides the old france lame and leon paul blades I have in my trunk, the closest to a pre-s2000 blade I've found is the AF Gold Elite, and if any vendor is selling non s2000 blades I've never seen them, point me in the right direction.

[headcut]

And you fenced competitevly with that blade?

Yeah, competitively when I was in college, although I don't know how many bouts I might have had on it. I know not many. This was all pre-electric sabre. Just broke it last night doing some rec fencing.

[headcut]

hey head cut, wht kind of sabre blade was it? what brand? how could it last such long?

Back when I was fencing competitively, I remember there were 3 main types of sabre blades available for us to order... Hungarian, French, and Italian. Not sure what the brands or models were. My coach knew G. Santelli and would just order what we wanted from him. The Hungarian and French felt clunky and heavy. The Italian was light and very well balanced. Needless to say, that's what I always got on the strip with. Coupled with an aluminum guard, it was a mean slice and dice weapon.

I've had it around a long time b/c when I got out of school, I only fenced a little bit, off and on for a couple years, then haven't fenced since then. I'm also pretty easy on my blades, or try to be. It broke yesterday after a hard parry to 3rd.

I'm looking to replace it with a nice blade with a good feel. From the posts here, it seems that the more expensive blades are not worth it. Am I correct? I don't mind paying a little extra if I can get that sweet feel out of it. I'd rather have good balance/feel than longevity.

[Welted 24/7]

The more expensive blades are generally a ripoff, considering that the life of a sabre blade can be anywhere from a week to a year, regardless of who made it or how much you paid for it. I usually stick with STM s2000 blades, although I did get to play with the Podz blade from Leon Paul a while ago.

[headcut]

the closest to a pre-s2000 blade I've found is the AF Gold Elite

Thanks... Any particular place/site you prefer to get this blade from?

[headcut]

The more expensive blades are generally a ripoff, considering that the life of a sabre blade can be anywhere from a week to a year, regardless of who made it or how much you paid for it. I usually stick with STM s2000 blades, although I did get to play with the Podz blade from Leon Paul a while ago.

How was the Podz? Have you noticed any difference in balance and feel with the more expensive blades?

[bobb121]

The poz is a lot siffer and heavier than the stm, but has a similar balance

[Welted 24/7]

Yeah, what bob said. It wouldn't be what you're looking for, but that's okay since it's not made anymore anyway. Which makes me feel slightly guilty for breaking it...

[bobb121]

I would say that if you want light either go AF,BF, or STM. All three of these are light. And if you give TCA a call I think that they might have some FL non-S2000 blades left.

[GypsyScot]

Thanks... Any particular place/site you prefer to get this blade from?

Craig can order it for you if you ask, I'll defer to him unless he tells you different.

[oiuyt]

if any vendor is selling non s2000 blades I've never seen them, point me in the right direction.

Blade carries them on their website.

Interestingly, NOT their cheapest sabre blade. The "X-Fencing com Sabre Blade (303)" doesn't specify whether or not it's S2000, but costs $0.50 less than the "Basic Sabre Blade-non 2000 (302-E)" linked above.

-B

[headcut]

I would say that if you want light either go AF,BF, or STM. All three of these are light. And if you give TCA a call I think that they might have some FL non-S2000 blades left.

Thanks everyone for your help. One last question because I'm an oldtimer and don't know... What is AF and BF? I've seen the STM blades around.

[oiuyt]

Thanks everyone for your help. One last question because I'm an oldtimer and don't know... What is AF and BF? I've seen the STM blades around.

AF = Absolute Fencing

BF = Blaise Freres

-B

[fencerbill]

Well today I broke my trusty Italian sabre blade that was more than 30 yrs old. Lotta miles in that blade. I knew it was coming. Being out of fencing for so long, could someone tell me what brand/model of sabre blade you prefer and why? My old blade was very light and well balanced (and kinda whippy compared to others of it's time). Also, what are the differences in the 3 blades that are sold here at fencing.net? The standard s2000, the stm s2000 blue, and the Paul France? I prefer a light blade that bends easily. Also, this is for non-electric fencing.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Along with the "bends easily" you get more whipover, and the bruises that goes with them. Your fencing partners may not be too happy with that.

The only difference between non-electric and electric sabres is the socket. The guards were different during the times of the capteurs but not now.

If you do graduate to electric bouting later, just throw the non S2000 blade away.

If you want to send me a personal message, I can check my cellar for non S2000 blades. You can have them all for the shipping charges. Not sure if they will be Italian but you can't beat the price. I just hate to see things wasted.

[schlager7]

Back when I was fencing competitively, I remember there were 3 main types of sabre blades available for us to order... Hungarian, French, and Italian. Not sure what the brands or models were. My coach knew G. Santelli and would just order what we wanted from him. The Hungarian and French felt clunky and heavy. The Italian was light and very well balanced.

Sounds like the Scaroni blade Santelli used to carry.