Fix or New?

[cOREA]

I have an old Prieur FIE foil blade that I've been using for almost two years (I don't fence foil that much..). It's top doesn't pass weight anymore and it's been getting some really bad bends in it that have been getting harder and harder to fix.

The main problem is the bad spring, I'm assuming, which is neither hard to fix nor expensive, but I'm just wondering; is it a sign of old-age or just a freak defect? Should I consider getting another back-up weapon (for a total of 3) to make sure I always have two good ones?

I'm a little worried about it breaking, too. What do you think?

[kalivor]

Your foil lasted two years before needing the spring replaced?

You either had:
1. A very excellent spring, or
2. A spring that originally held up far, far, far more weight than it needed to.

Swap out the spring.
OR
Replace the blade and send your old blade to me. I can always use another.

[TBean]

Do both - fix the spring, and get another weapon. As you suggested your older weapon is probably on its way out so a new one is in your future anyway. The spring is an easy, cheap fix, and it never hurts to have more than two weapons.

[Gav]

You'll get a better response in this section.

I have a prieur stamped Epee blade from the 90s that's still useable!

[Morale Officer]

Your foil lasted two years before needing the spring replaced?

The springs in 2 of my foils lasted 12 years before needing replaced (there was a 6 or 7 year break in there, but still, these are the original blades I bought in 1997 and only JUST changed the springs). I fenced with them for 5 years in college, then these past 2 years...they're only now starting to protest that their life span may be coming to an end.

[Empty Wallet]

This poll is flawed.

Replace the spring to see if it helps. So much cheaper than replacing a useable blade as the first try.