I haven't fenced in many years...

[jdavies]

But I'm at it again.

I used to fence competitively many years ago, though I was never rated. Then the job took over all of my free time, followed by a wife and ultimately 2 kids. I just took up fencing again 2 months ago and I'm hooked. My 14 year old daughter goes with me now and she's enjoying it also.

I never really enjoyed working out. With fencing I get a great workout while I'm having fun. Its motiviating me to workout more outside of the salle just so I can do better (no one likes to see an old man gasping for breath).

I was happy to find this site. I've already seen some good suggestions and reviews from other folks. It really helps to get some advice on things like equipment early, since things have changed a bit from the early 1990, when I last fenced (sabres are shorter now, did you know that?).

[SJCFU#2]

Saber blades aren't any shorter (at least not outside of Y10).

Flicks may have become more difficult to land in foil and the point has to stay depressed longer so sometimes a direct touch on a hard surface (such as a rigid chest protector) might not register at all. Saber bouts may not take as long since electronic scoring means less time standing around polling the jury. Saber blades are are significantly stiffer (an attempt to reduce the number of whipovers). The time interval in which a scoring machine will register two touches has gotten much shorter, sometimes to the point where a fast remise can block out what would otherwise be a valid riposte.

Outside of that I doubt you'll find much that has changed.

[Fencergrl]

Welcome back to fencing and to this forum. You'll find lots of fencer here who have either come back to fencing later in life or started fencing as an older adult.

[jdavies]

Saber blades are are significantly stiffer (an attempt to reduce the number of whipovers).

That's probably the change then. When I started again I brought my old practice and electric sabres to the salle and the coach told me they weren't up to code anymore. I bought new ones. The old ones were pretty oxidized anyway. My jacket doesn't need anymore rust stains on it

[dharmaqueen]

Welcome back. I too started fencing again after being away for 14 years. It has been a lot of fun but I realize that a lot has changed in the sport and I am still adjusting.

[Boyd]

Welcome back! I've only just started fencing myself, and I'm already hooked. Best of luck.

[theLuz]

If you were fencing when they had electric sabre, you haven't been away long. Welcome back.

[telkanuru]

Outside of that I doubt you'll find much that has changed.

Well, that and the lights are now reversed...