Blade colorings

[KatonRyu]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but what is the point of colored blades? I've seen 'regular' silver blades, but also bluish-purple and gold. Does the coating say anything about the blade itself or is it just cosmetic?

I myself have a FWF Chevalier Blue and two BF Whites, and I do notcie that the BFs are lighter and slimmer than the Chevalier. Is the coating a designation for this or am I just talking nonsense?

[Superscribe]

Cosmetic.

The coating's are SUPPOSED to say something about the blades, but the variance between coated and uncoated blades can be so great it basically doesn't mean anything.

[SJCFU#2]

Coatings also provide protection against corrosion from the time the blade leaves the factory until it is actually put into use (the alternative being to the blades in grease which then must be cleaned from the groove prior to wiring).

[Nolano]

There's typically no difference between coatings. Your BF white is lighter than your Chevalier, but they're made by different manufacturers.

[Palisadeur]

When shopping for a new pair of competition weapons after an extended break i did a fair bit of reasearch, particularly of the BF line, and read (somewhere, sorry i can't find the exact pages anymore) that the colouring is indeed a stiffness grading system.
White = Stiff
Blue = Flexible
Gold = Average
I purchased a white and a blue, and found the coding to be accurate (they were indeed stiffer and flexier!) but it's a fairly subjective thing.
The BF white is a shade heavier than the blue - but you need a set of electronic scales to be able to tell!

On a side note, i managed to get the funkiest bend in the White (primary weapon) at training one night with a strong lunge into opps quick advance = almost a corps-a-corps. The bend was on two planes, the horizontal bend about halfway, and the vertical one right back in the forte about 15-20 cm from the guard! I managed to straighten it satisfactorally with 2 separate half hour very patient workings, but i'm somewhat tentative with it now. I've done some light bouting with it, and the bends haven't reappeared, but it's been relegated to my secondary arm.

Hope this helps.

[InFerrumVeritas]

When shopping for a new pair of competition weapons after an extended break i did a fair bit of reasearch, particularly of the BF line, and read (somewhere, sorry i can't find the exact pages anymore) that the colouring is indeed a stiffness grading system.
White = Stiff
Blue = Flexible
Gold = Average

NO! This is completely wrong. While you may have anecdotal evidence, this is a myth.

According to posts in this forum by leading manufactures (use the search function to fund them, particularly the Paul's explanation), there is no difference.

The coating serves two purposes, both of which have been stated:

1. It protects against corrosion when the blades are being stored and shipped. Since the coating chips, and doesn't stand up to long term moisture contact, this is functionally useless once you start fencing with it/have it in your bag.

2. Cosmetic.

EDIT: Post from previous thread and confirmation by Leon Paul in the post afterward.
Differences between BF-FIE blades (epee)

[Inquartata]

Now, where WAS that "Fencing Myths" thread...?

IFV is right. Go to an NAC. Sort through a vendor's supply of blades. You'll find a large variation of flexibility in those of a certain color. Verify for yourself.

Right now I have a plain S+M sabre blade that is stiffer than a blued S+M sabre blade that I have...and another plain one that is much LESS stiff...

[Palisadeur]

NO! This is completely wrong. While you may have anecdotal evidence, this is a myth.

I stand corrected.
Thanks InFerro.

Good advice Inq, but nearest equipment supplier is 800km away until national event in june!

pd

[Belegur]

NO! This is completely wrong. While you may have anecdotal evidence, this is a myth.

According to posts in this forum by leading manufactures (use the search function to fund them, particularly the Paul's explanation), there is no difference.

Is it so impossible to imagine that a reseller might specify certain characteristics for certain blade types? BF, StM and similar manufacturers are high volume, so it would be quite possible for a reseller to ask that each blade type has a specific characteristic (eg. StM Blue to be stiff, StM Gold to be flexible, and so on). Even if it is only reinforcing the urban myth.

But as to the OP's question, for non FIE blades, rust protection. For FIE blades, cosmetic (mostly).

[Nolano]

I think before you can ask them to make blades that are consistent to the color they are, they have to get making blades consistent from batch to batch, first. There are a lot of difficulties involved ensuring forgings like that maintain the same properties over time.

[Belegur]

LP seem to have no difficulties in making blades that are relatively consistent. Most G-Pros I've tried are almost identical in feel. Bad batches seem to be a luck of the draw, anyway.

[InFerrumVeritas]

LP seem to have no difficulties in making blades that are relatively consistent. Most G-Pros I've tried are almost identical in feel. Bad batches seem to be a luck of the draw, anyway.

I think you'll find LP is the exception to the rule most of the time.

[Inquartata]

nearest equipment supplier is 800km away until national event in june!

pd

Can't you ask the Wizard to take you in his balloon?

[Palisadeur]

Can't you ask the Wizard to take you in his balloon?

Tempting, but the last time i did that i accidentally threw up all over the Dragon of +10 Incorrigibility...

[Morale Officer]

Tempting, but the last time i did that i accidentally threw up all over the Dragon of +10 Incorrigibility...

Take a horse of a different color...if that doesn't work, I'm sure we could find you some Ruby Slippers...