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Iwant2bafencer · 10-08-2002, 08:16 PM

I'm not sure which I am fencing (Dry or electric). From what I've heard on here it seems that I am fencing dry because I'm not getting tons of bruises and such. Although, we're all hooked/wired up and such. Although that could be just for the point box. Anyone wanna help me out here?

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Carpe Diem
Ad Asha

Purple Fencer · 10-08-2002, 08:21 PM

Dry means non-electric...with the little rubber tip at the end of the weapon. In a dry competition there would be 7 people directly involved in each bout: 2 fencers, the director and 4 judges watching for touches (2 per fencer, 1 on each side of the strip watching the guy at the far end). If you're hooked to the box, you're electric, and there's only the 2 fencers and the director.

Pacific · 10-08-2002, 10:00 PM

unless you didn't turn the score-board on...then you fencing blind.

Inquartata · 10-08-2002, 10:53 PM

I always wondered why the term "dry" became the shorthand for non-electric. Certainly I used to sweat just as much in the 'old days"...

Psi Shadowdark · 10-08-2002, 11:30 PM

no brusies ehh, i think id be fencing soaked then =)

epeemike81 · 10-08-2002, 11:56 PM

Where did you get the idea that Electric bruises more???? If anything, it bruises LESS, since lighter touches can be seen. Realistically, it rarely makes a difference in number of bruises.

-m

Psi Shadowdark · 10-09-2002, 12:17 AM

i think he thought that dry or wet was diffent by the amount of bruiseing....

epeemike81 · 10-09-2002, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psi Shadowdark
i think he thought that dry or wet was diffent by the amount of bruiseing....

I understand that that is WHAT he thought. What I don't understand is WHY he thought that.

-m

Psi Shadowdark · 10-09-2002, 12:30 AM

hehe gotcha

Iwant2bafencer · 10-09-2002, 10:06 AM

1) He is a She
2) From what I've heard of others talking about their bouts, and practices they had more bruises from electric. Not a big deal though.
3) Is it normal to start out straight electric?
4) thanks for clearing that up for me.

--------------------------
Carpe Diem
Ad Asha

Spanky McFarland · 10-09-2002, 12:53 PM

Electric does give you more bruises.

Try training with a partner who uses and electric foil as opposed to a steam (what we call 'dry' in Scotland) foil, and you will quickly notice the difference once he/ she has lunged and hit you in the same place a few times.

edew · 10-09-2002, 02:47 PM

Also, electric blades are generally stiffer and thicker than the non-electric blades. Take a look at a typical practice foil blade. The thin edge part of the blade near the top is about a thin as a sabre blade, in some models.

I don't know about epee blades in terms of electric versus practice blade stiffness.

Sabre blades, of course, are the same for both electric and practice. There is no separate category.

haggis · 10-09-2002, 06:51 PM

As well as the stiffness of the blades, electric blades have metal tips. Dry weapons have rubber tips. I know which one causes me more pain when planted in the middle of my chest.

epeemike81 · 10-10-2002, 01:02 AM

That may be true in foil, but in epee both the practice and electric weapons range in stiffness. In fact, the worst bruising I have ever had was at a camp using all dry weapons.

-m

fence1848 · 10-24-2002, 12:32 AM

Electric and dry fencing themselves do not necessarily bruise more than the other. It all depends on who you're fencing. Remember, yes, electric has a metal tip, but behind that tip is a spring that has give. Dry fencing doesn't have that give. Blades vary enough that both dry and electric fencing have some blades that are stiffer and some that are softer.

Also, regarding where the term "dry" comes from: before electric fencing, there was "ink" fencing, when fencers used ink on the tips of their weapons to see a touch. "Dry" refered to fencing without ink. Ask an older fencer who's been fencing a long time. Some of them may still have the ink weapons (which have a different tip).

Inquartata · 10-24-2002, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fence1848

Also, regarding where the term "dry" comes from: before electric fencing, there was "ink" fencing, when fencers used ink on the tips of their weapons to see a touch. "Dry" refered to fencing without ink.

Now, that makes perfect sense. One of those things that you wonder never occurred to you until someone explains it...

Pho · 10-24-2002, 02:46 AM

Wanted some input on this since we are talking about dry versus electric. A lot of guys tell me that dry blades instill a lot of bad habits in beginners if they are going to move to electric weapons. The reason, I've been told is that when beginners move to a heavier electric weapon, they tend to compensate by making more forceful actions thereby letting themselves be deceived easier. What do you guys all think?

Eric

latenight · 10-24-2002, 09:52 AM

As I've stated before, I think it best to train with what you will compete with. others feel differently and don't like to put stress on their electrics.

Tips and springs are cheap, so I practice with my electrics.

epeemike81 · 10-24-2002, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by latenight
As I've stated before, I think it best to train with what you will compete with. others feel differently and don't like to put stress on their electrics.

Tips and springs are cheap, so I practice with my electrics.

In addition, you get the added advantage of positive feedback in the form of that nice, satisfying "click" from your electric tip.

MUCH easier to know if you hit with an electric when dealing with glancing wrist shots or flicks.

-m