Foil Tape

[jjefferies]

I got yellow carded this weekend due to tip tape not covering the last 1/16 of the barrel next to the plunger end. The director stated that it was non-conforming. My question is: Practically does this really make a difference? Looking at it I didn't see how you could short between the tip and the barrel with this much showing. Relatively speaking it was pretty minor.

[brtech]

It's surprisingly easy, because the lame is fabric and bends easily.

1/16" is pretty small though. You don't want the tape over the edge, or it will interfere with the tip movement.

I do take special care to get it right up to the edge, but not over the edge. I also use a scissors to cut the tape, so I don't get any little filaments of tape or adhesive to get caught in the gap.

[noodle]

I got yellow carded this weekend due to tip tape not covering the last 1/16 of the barrel next to the plunger end. The director stated that it was non-conforming. My question is: Practically does this really make a difference? Looking at it I didn't see how you could short between the tip and the barrel with this much showing. Relatively speaking it was pretty minor.

is it important? yes.
would i have carded you? no.

[fatfencer]

Here's a cool tip for taping.

I tape the barrel with a separate piece of tape from the tape on the blade. Moreover they DONT overlap at all. I find that this causes loose barrels. I can't explain why.. you'd think it wouldnt but that's my experience.

I find the tape width is perfect for my Sport7 barrels. I buy my tape from Sam(Purpmeister General) at H.O.M. Fencing Supply. He has the most color variety including my fave... lightsaber green.

I actually superglue over the tape too as it makes the tape less likely to degrade from fencing...just the barrels. Not the blade portion.

Finally i put a very thin strip around the barrel over the screws. French screws dont get mashed but it CAN happen. I hate maintenance. I also superglue the barrel to the blade so the barrel doesnt twist.

FF

[whiteandbluefencer]

He has the most color variety including my fave... lightsaber green.

I should find blue tip tap....

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Here's a cool tip for taping.

I tape the barrel with a separate piece of tape from the tape on the blade. Moreover they DONT overlap at all. I find that this causes loose barrels. I can't explain why.. you'd think it wouldnt but that's my experience.

I find the tape width is perfect for my Sport7 barrels. I buy my tape from Sam(Purpmeister General) at H.O.M. Fencing Supply. He has the most color variety including my fave... lightsaber green.

I actually superglue over the tape too as it makes the tape less likely to degrade from fencing...just the barrels. Not the blade portion.

Finally i put a very thin strip around the barrel over the screws. French screws dont get mashed but it CAN happen. I hate maintenance. I also superglue the barrel to the blade so the barrel doesnt twist.

FF

Yep to the superglue. It helps.

[KD5MDK]

is it important? yes.
would i have carded you? no.

I'm generally quite lenient about tape on foils, because it's really hurting yourself. I do pay close attention when I am checking the tip though, because if it's causing you to miss touches I want to know that.

[HDG]

I should find blue tip tap....

It's just gaffer's tape; blue isn't hard to find.

[FoilyDeath]

Interestingly, I prefer the thinner and smaller LP tape to the thicker, US style tape. While it doesn't look like it offers the same amount of protection, it allows you to make it both very tight where you need it to be, but also put extra layers over screws. It also looks a lot smoother:P

Back on topic, while most referees you wouldn't card you for something which is more likely to screw you over than anybody else, I guess it is, in principal, their job, so you can't exactly blame him

[DHCJr]

Any showing is a problem, but as KD5MDK said it is your problem, not the referee.

At International competitions where we check the weapons, if a Foil comes up without any tape, I just tell those working to pass it. If the fencer is stupid enough not to tape their Foil completely, I say let them.

The new rules say you must leave the tape off the end for check now!

I wonder what that referee would say if a fencer had their Foil tape properly at the top and the tape went down 10"!

[Purple Fencer]

I wonder what that referee would say if a fencer had their Foil tape properly at the top and the tape went down 10"!

If he knew the rule, yellow card, non-conforming, since it's obviously longer than 15cm.