Opinions on Epee Blade Please

[Immelmann]

I apologize in advance for launching another epee thread, but my question doesn't quite fit into the previous entries.

I am considering buying a new electric epee for Christmas. I've got a dry/steam epee I've been using at club (where for better and worse we still go at it dry). It's a standard Leon Paul, and I have been in love with it since I got it. That being said, I'm looking to go slightly upmarket in the event I want to do local tourneys.

I've narrowed my choices down to a Leon Paul FIE, Viniti FIE, and Chevalier D'Auvergne FIE. The blade is the only part of my wish-list epee that I can't decide on. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about such things, and I don't want to end up buying the Ford Pinto of epee blades. Additionally, I'm looking for something that's rather stiff, and I don't put much stock into "flickiness"---so if that makes a difference too. So, in your opinions, which is the one I'm looking for?

Thanks.

PS--I know I don't need FIE, I'll never need an FIE epee. But it's for Christmas dammit, and I ain't paying for it, so why not?

[JEC]

I've narrowed my choices down to a Leon Paul FIE, Viniti FIE, and Chevalier D'Auvergne FIE. The blade is the only part of my wish-list epee that I can't decide on. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about such things, and I don't want to end up buying the Ford Pinto of epee blades. Additionally, I'm looking for something that's rather stiff, and I don't put much stock into "flickiness"---so if that makes a difference too. So, in your opinions, which is the one I'm looking for?

You might want to look up the BF FIE white/blue epee blades. If you did a poll (which has been done), those are the preferred blades of high level epee fencers. They tend to be stiffer than Vniti or STM FIE blades. From the ones that you narrowed LP FIE would be the better one, particularly if you get the Kolobkov LP FIE, which is heavier at the base but flickier at the tip (as compared to regular LP FIE).

[Fencergrl]

F-net has a special price on the Viniti FIE until Nov. 17th. If you enter promotion code "Vniti08" you get $15 off.

[sah62]

You might want to look up the BF FIE white/blue epee blades.

Maybe our luck has just been bad, but I've had four of four BF whites that I've purchased in the last year all break within two-three months from when they started seeing regular (3-4 days of fencing per week) use by my 14-year-old son. Each broke about a third of the way down from the tip. He's having much better luck with LM FIE blades.

[Nolano]

Unless you actually need an FIE blade, I would just go for a non FIE LP. There seems to be no real difference in lifespan or feel, but there's a $50~ difference in cost.

I find they're too whippy for me, and I find that the point is not where I try to put it. I use a BF FIE because they're very stiff but I can still pull off some beatiful wrist/hand flicks.

Vniti's are also very whippy, but a completely different feel than an LP. They're much heavier, although they have a better balance, and they're also virtually indestructible.

The Chevalier blades used to be more flexible, with a similar feel to LP blades, but a bit heavier. The one a friend has is monstrously stiff, even more so than the BF I specifically picked because it was incredibly stiff. I didn't use it or anything, so I can't comment on the balance or feel.

The Kolobkov pro FIE blade is more like a BF FIE, but lighter with a closer balance point. i've heard they're very nice to use, but incredibly spendy.

As it is, I would stick with the blade you know you like until you get the chance to try a bunch.

Maybe our luck has just been bad, but I've had four of four BF whites that I've purchased in the last year all break within two-three months from when they started seeing regular (3-4 days of fencing per week) use by my 14-year-old son. Each broke about a third of the way down from the tip. He's having much better luck with LM FIE blades.

Were they from the same batch? Did you hand pick them? If you have the chance, hand pick your BF's. They're too inconsistent. Look for a consistent groove width/straightness, blade width, and bend up and down the blade.
LM blades tend to be more durable, but they have a different feel.

[sah62]

Were they from the same batch? Did you hand pick them? If you have the chance, hand pick your BF's. They're too inconsistent. Look for a consistent groove width/straightness, blade width, and bend up and down the blade.
LM blades tend to be more durable, but they have a different feel.

All were bought at different times from the same vendor, so while I can't ID the batch I can confirm that I personally inspected and selected each one.

[Alex_Paul]

They have a batch number stamped into them.

TBH I don't think hand picking them helps your chances of getting one that lasts well TBH. You may get a slightly straighter one but ultimately it is invisible (to the naked eye) micro cracks in the surface that cause blades to fail.

[Nolano]

True, but if you can avoid any obvious flaws you're better off than if not.

[fencerchica]

F-net has a special price on the Viniti FIE until Nov. 17th. If you enter promotion code "Vniti08" you get $15 off.

Nice! I hadn't heard. I want a new Vniti to replace the LP I snapped last week. Just placed my order -- not a bad deal.

[damianip]

If you like the LP you have, just get an electric version of the same.

If you're not competing internationally, the FIE might be overkill. Also my limited experience with the FIE LP blades is that the non-FIE blades are more durable. However, I've only had a couple of the FIEs, but they didn't last anywhere near as long as the non.

Either way, The LP blades are light and super durable. If you are OK with the feel (and they feel uniquely "LP") why change?

Paolo

[sah62]

They have a batch number stamped into them.

They were tossed into the trash soon after breaking. While it might have been useful forensic info, it didn't really matter at the time.

[Immelmann]

Thanks for the advice so far.

As a bit of clarification, I do like the feel of the LP, but it could be a bit stiffer to suit my taste.

[agyee95616]

Thanks for the advice so far.

As a bit of clarification, I do like the feel of the LP, but it could be a bit stiffer to suit my taste.

Based on this thread (Leon Paul Epee Blades), it looks like you might get your wish -- the next versions of the LP epee blade should be stiffer