Blades for ompetition and practice

[_fence(1)]

Just a quick question: do you use the same set of foils (epees, sabres) for competitions and practice? Or do you have separate sets?

Thank you!

[noodle]

same blades. although ideally, all my blades would be the exact same, so it wouldn't matter which ones i used.

[Craig]

I use the same. It does not make sense to practice using blades or setups that are different that what you will use in competition.

Ideally all of your practice routines would mirror the competition environment, including time of day, etc. That, however, is usually not possible.

Craig

[fordhook2000]

It does not make sense to practice using blades or setups that are different that what you will use in competition.

Ideally all of your practice routines would mirror the competition environment...

Ideally this is true, but the economics of the matter can make it infeasible--I can't afford to buy all the best equipment all the time, so when I have the opportunity to own/acquire a particularly nice piece of equipment--a high-end FIE blade, for example--I'm not inclined to beat it up in practice all the time; I want to save it for competition. I do strive, however, to make the setup of practice and competition weapons--i.e. grip type and size, approximate weight (actually I like practicing with a heavier weapon and competing with a lighter one ), tang cant, etc.--as similar as my budget allows.

[JacoKierkegaard]

Same one. I use my FIE blade as my main weapon, and my non-FIE as my backup/teaching/loaner weapon since I'd rather have the new fencers at the school club break a cheap blade than an expensive one. The two have about the same feel and they're set up the same way, so I don't have a problem with consistency.

[wbowman]

Kind of the other way around for me. I have a couple of non-FIE blades that I really like for competition. But now that I have some FIE blades I also like (and which are likely to be more durable), I tend to use them for practice and lessons just to save wear and tear on the others.

In theory though, I think it's true that you should practice with something as close as possible to what you're going to compete with.

[Allen Evans]

Ideally this is true, but the economics of the matter can make it infeasible--I can't afford to buy all the best equipment all the time, so when I have the opportunity to own/acquire a particularly nice piece of equipment--a high-end FIE blade, for example--I'm not inclined to beat it up in practice all the time; I want to save it for competition.

If you're willing to practice with less than the best of blades, and you don't think it impacts your performance, why not save your money and fence with these blades in competition as well?

Leaves you more money for strong drink.

[fordhook2000]

If you're willing to practice with less than the best of blades, and you don't think it impacts your performance, why not save your money and fence with these blades in competition as well?

Leaves you more money for strong drink.

I never said I don't think it has an impact on performance, just that there's a financial reality to the situation.

The strong drink point is one I hadn't considered though...

[Superscribe]

I agree with the sentiment above. The ONLY reason's i can think of to use an FIE blade is to be safer, have it last longer, and be compliant for competitions that require FIE.

None of those are really "performance metrics". The weight, stiffness, and balance of a blade affect the performance. The FIE stamp doesn't really contribute to weight, flex, or balance.

[Superscribe]

I never said I don't think it has an impact on performance, just that there's a financial reality to the situation.

The strong drink point is one I hadn't considered though...

If the FIE blade isnt' going to make you better or help your game, why save it for competitions? You're going to wear a blade. If you break a practice blade you're going to wear more on your FIE blade (use it for practice and competitions).

[noodle]

I never said I don't think it has an impact on performance, just that there's a financial reality to the situation.

The strong drink point is one I hadn't considered though...

FIE blades last longer. in the time it takes you to break one, you'll typically run through enough non-FIE blades to make up the cost difference.

[LordShout]

Some FIE blades also have a different feel. I'm quite addicted to the Leon Paul G-Pro blades, if I could find an identically or similar feel for cheaper I would swap just because I'm a poor college kid. They last, on average, a little over a year for me. Excellent blades, love they way the handle, just can't afford to feed that addiction.

[noodle]

Some FIE blades also have a different feel. I'm quite addicted to the Leon Paul G-Pro blades, if I could find an identically or similar feel for cheaper I would swap just because I'm a poor college kid. They last, on average, a little over a year for me. Excellent blades, love they way the handle, just can't afford to feed that addiction.

definitely also true. i was speaking purely from a financial standpoint.

[InFerrumVeritas]

I use the same. I actually bought FIE blades because I was tearing through non-FIE ones in lessons and practice (where I easily do ten, if not more, actions to one in competition). They've lasted much longer. Some of the my old non-FIE ones I'll use as backups in competition or if I get tired (they're lighter).

[Inquartata]

You point-weapon guys let yourselves in for such adversities. Tcha!

We sabre fencers don't have to worry about special FIE blades, or eroding them with use in practice. I use the same weapons in practice and in competition right up to World Championships. I can't think of anyone I know who does otherwise. An S+M blade is an S+M blade, they are cheap, they are easily changed out when they break, and they require no tender care and feeding.

[Purple Fencer]

You point-weapon guys let yourselves in for such adversities. Tcha!

We sabre fencers don't have to worry about special FIE blades, or eroding them with use in practice. I use the same weapons in practice and in competition right up to World Championships. I can't think of anyone I know who does otherwise. An S+M blade is an S+M blade, they are cheap, they are easily changed out when they break, and they require no tender care and feeding.

And if they break at the tang, they make that wonderful shimmering ringing sound....the "vendor mating call" i.e.money hitting the floor!

I can generally hear that one across the venue!

[Meteoric Iron]

An S+M blade is an S+M blade, they are cheap, they are easily changed out when they break, and they require no tender care and feeding.

(Tries to imagine such a weapon...tries to imagine self in sabre gear...tries to imagine...attacking....tries...tries...)

FAIL

[RebelwithoutaCause]

You point-weapon guys let yourselves in for such adversities. Tcha!

We sabre fencers don't have to worry about special FIE blades, or eroding them with use in practice. I use the same weapons in practice and in competition right up to World Championships. I can't think of anyone I know who does otherwise. An S+M blade is an S+M blade, they are cheap, they are easily changed out when they break, and they require no tender care and feeding.

Can't agree with you more. I love StM's, feel great and their cheap. All blades break and anyone who spends a ton of money on a saber blade is wasting their time. If you're going to spend it, spend it on quality guards and grips.


But to answer the question, no I do not use a different setup from practice to competition. I wouldn't want to risk time getting "used" to a competition setup on the day of the event. It's kind of like spending a ton of money on a tux that you wear once a year. Let the guy breathe man, wear it to the grocery store!

[Inquartata]

the "vendor mating call" i.e.money hitting the floor!

Are you yet good enough to recognize the amount and types of coins when someone drops a handful of change?

[Purple Fencer]

Are you yet good enough to recognize the amount and types of coins when someone drops a handful of change?

Not yet...that's an even more specialized skill!