Has anyone tried the Schermasport "Screwless" tip for foil ? I think it might be good from the maintainance aspect as it is screwless. But, I want to know how it is like in the bout. For example, whether the tip is smooth and easy to put my light on with a soft touch or not. Thank you.
well i have not used that point, however all tips must resist so much pressure before setting off the light... so i don;t see how u could say "easier to make the light go off"
Well, I know that all the tips have to hold 500g pressure at least. But some tips might need only 501g pressure to set off the light and some tips might need 600g pressure to set off the light. And I think that it depends on two factors
i) the condition of the tip set
ii) the manufacturer of the tip set ex) Allstar, Uhlmann...
And now I am talking about the manufacturer of the tip set. Basically, Allstar or Uhlmann is fine IMO. But, I just wanted to know about this new screwless tip .
The difference between points is not in how heavy a pressure in a weight-test situation it will hold up-- that's going to mainly be a matter of manufacturing variances in the springs, and how you might tweak the spring (stretch it, trim it, heat it, etc).
The difference is going to be in how well the tip depresses in glancing or otherwise "sub-optimal" (i.e., not a dead-on, full face contact with the target) touches. A point with smoother surfaces on the interior of the barrel and the side of the tip, and tighter tolerances (so that the tip is less prone to "wobble" over to the side and potentially hang up when there's some sideways force to the touch) will be more likely to register a glancing touch. The above reasons are why Uhlmann/Allstar points are almost universally preferred by top fencers, in spite of annoyances like the easily damaged screw-heads-- they'll light on glancing touches where, say, Preiur tips might not (even if both points are set up to the same spring weight).
As for the Schermasport tips themselves, I've not seen or heard enough of them in actual use to comment yea or nay (I should probably buy one or two to try myself). Given that they cost nearly twice as much as Uhlmann, even if they're of equal quality and precision you'd probably still come out ahead financially putting up with the periodic flattened screw (and you'll have a much easier time finding spare parts if you get caught without). Variants of the basic screwless design have been around for some time-- so far none have garnered much market share.
Thanks for your advice. I haven't fenced for 6 years and started again recently. So, when I found this screwless point, I wondered that many of top fencers might using this new point nowaday. But, as I could hear that most fencers are still using Uhlmann/Allstar points - glad hear that - , I think I'm going to use them again. Thanks.
The only screwless tips i have run across have been presented to me in the armoury.....they seem to have a terrible problem with the spring. The same ones come back over and over. I have recommended they switch to a regulur french or german tip to save the hassle. One guy was so frustrated ny his..He took the whole foil apart and said, "Here take it!" He gave me the entire blade and all......I change out the tip. No more problem.
Youre right Tim..it was junk! It was a poor newbie that bought a couple of them on her own from a vendor at a tourny. I told her to never go shopping alone again.
Soooooooo how ya been.... I moved you know. Next time you'll have to stop in Chicago.
Hugs!