Your Top Ten Reasons to Take Up Fencing

[redheaded_sabreuse]

In the spirit of David Letterman's Top Ten lists:

10) It hurts less than rugby.
9) It costs less than NASCAR.
8) You can’t drown.
7) It has a really low number of accidental fatalities.
6) Lots of historical interest for the nerds.
5) Your spouse will like what it does for your arse.
4) Those tight white knickers are HOT.
3) Two words: fencer thighs.
2) Girls can play too!

And the number one reason to take up fencing…

1) It still feels all thrilling and heroic even if you lose!!!


So, True Believers, what are your top ten reasons?

[telkanuru]

3) Two words: fencer thighs.

Not to pull you up on your thighs here, but when it comes to finding a suit that fits, fencer thighs are perhaps the most annoying thing on the planet. Men's Warehouse literally did not have something that fit me.

[redheaded_sabreuse]

Not to pull you up on your thighs here, but when it comes to finding a suit that fits, fencer thighs are perhaps the most annoying thing on the planet. Men's Warehouse literally did not have something that fit me.

Small price to pay for extreme manly hawtness.

Just find a good tailor to take things in at the waist.

[telkanuru]

Small price to pay for extreme manly hawtness.

Just find a good tailor to take things in at the waist.

Shoulders, actually. Any suit that fit my legs was too wide for my shoulders, and anything that was right on my shoulders I couldn't get my calf into.

[Inquartata]

Well, why are you trying to make cattle wear suits in the first place? They HATE that, you know.

[telkanuru]

Well, why are you trying to make cattle wear suits in the first place? They HATE that, you know.

How else can I get them by security? I have to disguise them as Doctors of Bovinity (who are located in this vicinity).

[Inquartata]

I'd still steer clear of security if I were you.

[redheaded_sabreuse]

Not to pull you up on your thighs here, but when it comes to finding a suit that fits, fencer thighs are perhaps the most annoying thing on the planet. Men's Warehouse literally did not have something that fit me.

Formalwear difficulties aside, there is a bright side. Think of the amount of time you'll spend wearing a nice suit, versus the obvious benefits of the carnal variety that come from being a man with fencer thighs.

My husband's more of a stage combat performer/fight choreographer than a competitive fencer, but still, a fellow with swordsmans' legs (and arse, and shoulders) is still never any strain on the eyes.

[JacoKierkegaard]

I get a double whammy on the fencer thighs problem because I'm a cyclist in the off-season, another sport that's renowned for producing huge legs. Thankfully my suits fit well, but jeans are an issue.

Seriously, just imagine what this guy has to go through to find a decent pair of pants:

http://rushracing.files.wordpress.co...hoy20legs1.jpg

[Gav]

I wonder if that's Chris Hoy?

Thighs are thew problem part of the legs for me. I have to buy 1-2 sizes bigger than my waist suggests. The current fad for ultra skinny jeans is currently driving me to distraction. They just do not fit.

I can't think of 10 good reasons. I can think of only 2. I always wanted to. And it's damn good fun.

[JacoKierkegaard]

I wonder if that's Chris Hoy?

Yes, it is. Good call, unless you just looked at the URL.

[Gav]

Yes, it is. Good call, unless you just looked at the URL.

oh; I didn't even think to look at the url! The only reason this occurred to me was that I remember there was some discussion amongst the female denizens of the office about him recently.

[JacoKierkegaard]

oh; I didn't even think to look at the url! The only reason this occurred to me was that I remember there was some discussion amongst the female denizens of the office about him recently.

So, are they fans of cyclists' legs?

[Inquartata]

Hah, I have been fencing for well over 20 years and am doing 5 practices a week, and have not had to worry about "fencer's thighs". Another benefit of ectomorphism, no doubt.

Now, getting my trousers on over these damned knee braces, that's something else again.

[Wetmelon]

I'd still steer clear of security if I were you.

HAHAHA! I tried to rep you for this, but I have to spread the love around a bit :P

As for suits, I can never get a suit that is wide enough in the shoulders. And if it is, it's HUGE in the waist. Thighs aren't really a problem?

[larkascending]

Guys can't buy suits as separates?

That's no fun...