two questions

[Falling Cow]

I've got two questions, but making two different threads is just too much work. Hope you don't mind if I just lump them together.

First, the club I fence at just went to its first tournament a week ago. We did really well, two fencers took third place. Since it was a dry tournament the bouters switched places at three points, and most everyone shook hands as they passed. I have been out of the game for a while, but I'm pretty sure I didn't do that. I was taught to tip your sword as you pass, you know, turn the sword upside-down near your chest. My question is: is the hand shaking new, and if so does it replace sword tipping?

Second, I just bought a Spanish Offset handle for a foil, but the pommel I bought for it is really cheap and doesn't tighten enough. To keep the sword together I put another bell pad on it. Is it legal to have two bell pads? While I'm at it, I heard that the spanish offset grip has some funky rules attached to it. Does anyone know them?

Thanks.

[Craig]

I always shook hands during the switch when fencing dry. (Which was something like a decade ago.)

[DHCJr]

If you check in the rule book at T87, a salute to your competitor, the referee and the audience, as well as shake the hands. There is nothing about switching sides in the middle, because the FIE does not deal with Dry Fencing. For me, we shook at La Belle, but that was over ¼ of a century ago. I consider it a nice honor, but it is not required per-say. They could require it if they said it was for the ‘Maintenance of Order and Discipline.’ (T82 and T83)

As far as your second question, it is the Spanish not the Spanish offset that is the problem. The only handles that have been named as illegal have been those that use a French pommel and have prongs. As far as the thumb pad, you can have as many as you want as long as when held the thumb when completely extended must not be more than 2cm from the inside surface of the guard. (M4.6b)

[MikeHarm]

I have a question on the handshaking. Suppose your competitor only had one arm? Is the hand shaking rule waved entirely or is there something else you're supposed to do with them?

[Inquartata]

In the days of dry sabre the passing handshake was pretty much the standard around my Division; it has fallen out of observance since the advent of electric, even when practicing dry. We still salute at la belle, probably a sign that we are not "with it"...

[schlager7]

At my club we salute at "La Belle" whether it is a tournament or a simple assault.

[jeff]

Originally posted by MikeHarm
I have a question on the handshaking. Suppose your competitor only had one arm? Is the hand shaking rule waved entirely or is there something else you're supposed to do with them?

In the mid '70s there was a good left
handed college foil fencer in New Jersey, and yes, he did shake hands after the bout. He'd free his hand up by holding the reversed weapon against his torso (he used his upper arm to hold the blade against his side). One person where you didn't have to worry about somebody covering target with the unarmed hand...

[edew]

Nat Burke from Lucchetti Fencing Foundation has 1.5 arms. He shakes with his weapon arm, holding the weapon against his torso.

Chuck Lucasey of Golden Gate Fencing Center has two arms, but only one working. He shakes with his weapon arm, letting the weapon dangle on the end of the body cord.

[Falling Cow]

Let me make sure I understand. You should salute "la belle" and shake hands as you pass. Is that right, or is it usually one or another? I'd imagine that this could be something that changes from club to club.

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by Falling Cow
Let me make sure I understand. You should salute "la belle" and shake hands as you pass. Is that right, or is it usually one or another? I'd imagine that this could be something that changes from club to club.

The rules only state at the end to both salute and shake hands. I'm afraid that there is nothing about switching sides or La Belle, so you are right this would be something that changes from club to club.

Over the years it has fallen out of favor and they added the rule to salute a shake a few years ago, because we had lost 'The Sport of Gentlemen and Ladies'. I have seen at World Championships where they never acknowledge 'La Belle'. It is sad.

[Falling Cow]

Thanks everyone. My club is new and I am the only one who has previous fencing experience. Therefore I am really trying to remember all the little ins and outs. It was really funny, during one of our members first bout at the tournament I mentioned earlier he saluted "la belle" as he switched sides just like we do at our club, but his opponent went to shake his hand. Our guy didn't see the other guy's hand. If you didn't know better it looked like he was trying to snub the guy. When he realized what was going on he apologized, but before that, oh man, it was hilarious.