Problem with BF epee blades this year?

[lguillemin]

Hey,

I just saw a thread under the Armory section talking about BF blades bending sideways, I felt inclined to ask the community if they are having any problems with their BF epee blades.

This year I've gone through 3 BF blades and they have all broken at the same spot. Right at the threads where you screw the barrel on. The first one broke after I met an octave parry with a six, the second one broke on my shoe (slapping the blade to the side of my shoe because it was 'magic') and my third one broke in preparatory blade actions... I had that one for a week.

Prior to these blades I had three really solid STM blades that lasted me two and a half years before they broke due to natural wear and tear. I have never had blades break on me like this.

My primary training partner has gone through 4 BF blades, 3 broke at the threads under the barrel and the other one exploded in his hand when someone hit his opposition.



Anybody else having these problems with BF blades?

[chinbeard]

Are they FIE?

[lguillemin]

Yes all blades that I am referring to are FIE Maraging blades

[MHS Fencer]

What are the dates stamped on the blades? There is definite variation batch-to-batch, as well as within batches. I have not encountered this problem, but my most recent blade has a date from nearly a year ago, I believe.

Your anecdotal evidence, though, suggests a cluster with such specific breakage pattern - the question becomes whether this is the blades or if there might be another confounding factor - let's see what pops up from people on this board.

[lguillemin]

I will have to check the dates, I still have the blades because I have this idea that I could rethread it and it would still be functional. Short but functional.

[K O'N]

Hey,

I just saw a thread under the Armory section talking about BF blades bending sideways, I felt inclined to ask the community if they are having any problems with their BF epee blades.

This year I've gone through 3 BF blades and they have all broken at the same spot. Right at the threads where you screw the barrel on. The first one broke after I met an octave parry with a six, the second one broke on my shoe (slapping the blade to the side of my shoe because it was 'magic') and my third one broke in preparatory blade actions... I had that one for a week.

Prior to these blades I had three really solid STM blades that lasted me two and a half years before they broke due to natural wear and tear. I have never had blades break on me like this.

My primary training partner has gone through 4 BF blades, 3 broke at the threads under the barrel and the other one exploded in his hand when someone hit his opposition.



Anybody else having these problems with BF blades?

The only epee blades I've ever seen do this were cheap Chinese blades on $20 epees. It's a very dangerous place for an epee to break, imo. I had one snap off on a beat to the bell and I'd hit the kid with the broken blade before I realized anything was wrong. I hit a kid with a broken blade. Man. It was about a year ago, and I'm still a little queasy about that, it's the only time I've ever hit someone with a broken blade. Usually epee blades break at the foible and it's so obvious you stop, this didn't feel like anything.

If I'd had your experience I'd send them back to BF with copies of reciepts including dates, and an address for the replacement blades to be sent to. I'd be furious, that's a disaster.

K O'N

[K O'N]

I will have to check the dates, I still have the blades because I have this idea that I could rethread it and it would still be functional. Short but functional.

I think this is illegal, as it involves significant grinding where the new tip threads will go. Then too, what if it breaks at the new threads and you hurt someone? You've illegally modified an epee and hurt someone, to save a few hundred bucks. No way. Send them back and see if BF will replace them.

K O'N

[K O'N]

My primary training partner has gone through 4 BF blades, 3 broke at the threads under the barrel and the other one exploded in his hand when someone hit his opposition.

When something explodes in your hand, where is the break?

K O'N

[Thierry]

BF blades have been known to vary from batch to batch. My friends have the famous, beautiful flexible blade, but when I bought mine, it came extremely
stiff, and after a years worth of use ( 3 times a week for 3 1/2 hours) the blade broke at the tip, still being largely stiff. If you notice, the BF blades go very thin at the end, it's what makes the blade so flexible, but at the same time it makes it much weaker at the tip. I believe your blade just broke from wear and tear.

[lguillemin]

@K O'N
Using a rethreaded blade would be for training specifically. I do understand the point of safety and compromising the integrity of the blade, and to be honest I hadn't even considered that. I still have my receipts and I think I will send all of the blades back.


@ Thierry
The most recent blades that I had this happen on where not even a week old.

[misha]

Who wired the blades?
May be they consistently apply too much pressure while screwing the barrel to the blade?

General advise about BF FIE blades:
Buy them only from a reputable vendor in Europe.
I have a gut feeling that US vendors are getting worst blades after Europeans get to choose better ones...

My personal experience (epee):
I bought 2 blades from a US vendor - both broke within a month
Then I bought 6 blades from a European vendor and they break at a rate 1 per year, which is reasonable in my book.
And BTW: you can always ask them to send you stiff/flexible/medium blades, whichever you prefer

http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de/


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[chinbeard]

When something explodes in your hand, where is the break?

K O'N

That's what she said.

[Craig]

General advise about BF FIE blades:
Buy them only from a reputable vendor in Europe.
I have a gut feeling that US vendors are getting worst blades after Europeans get to choose better ones...

So, based on a gut feeling you're telling people to send their dollars across the pond rather than to a reputable US based company that would be interested in helping the sport in the US? Nice.


Craig

[lguillemin]

@ K O'N
Didn't answer your other question...

It broke right at the bell. I'm assuming it is a mixture from holding the handle too tight and the guards hitting with the perfect amount of force. All that was left was the handle and the guard socket, everything else was strewn across the ground.

[chinbeard]

So, based on a gut feeling you're telling people to send their dollars across the pond rather than to a reputable US based company that would be interested in helping the sport in the US? Nice.


Craig

You're obviously biased.

If it's true with BF, it might be true with every other blade (& component) manufacturer. And it wouldn't stop at fencing equipment: clearly, we should not buy anything from any US vendors unless the products are made domestically.

I need some new jeans. What's the number for the Indonesian sweatshop GAP uses?

[Craig]

You're obviously biased.

Everyone is biased. Some just admit it.

Can't tell if you're actually being sarcastic or not in the rest of your post, however.

Craig

[Rockstar44]

Everyone is biased. Some just admit it.

Can't tell if you're actually being sarcastic or not in the rest of your post, however.

Craig

He's actually agreeing with you.

[lguillemin]

I checked the blades that were broken.

All had 10-08 branded on it.

I talked with some of the foilists and apparently this is happening to them too.

Could we even bring this up to BF?

[K O'N]

I checked the blades that were broken.

All had 10-08 branded on it.

I talked with some of the foilists and apparently this is happening to them too.

Could we even bring this up to BF?

What, that their famously good blades are suddenly breaking in a week? Yes, I think you're allowed. What's the worst they can do, tell you "tough luck"?

They don't have a working web page I can find, but the email address:

contact@blaise-freres.fr

Is given here:

http://www.oseo.fr/a_la_une/paroles_.../blaise_freres

Maybe that works.

K O'N

[DrWhiteTX]

Excellent advice. Most of my FIE BF's I have bought in Laupheim from and at Uhlmann. They have their people selling at the Jr. World Cup. (factory direct). I think they do get pick of the litter from BF. You also get to find the exact flexibility you want. In addition if you pay on one receipt take it back with you, you can get it stamped at customs and send it in to get the VAT refunded. Even with the dollar weak I have averaged about 100 bucks a blade( BF FIE wired w/ german point)
I still have three going strong after over a year(fingers crossed) and the ones I have gone through have averaged about 2 years with very heavy use.)

Who wired the blades?
May be they consistently apply too much pressure while screwing the barrel to the blade?

General advise about BF FIE blades:
Buy them only from a reputable vendor in Europe.
I have a gut feeling that US vendors are getting worst blades after Europeans get to choose better ones...

My personal experience (epee):
I bought 2 blades from a US vendor - both broke within a month
Then I bought 6 blades from a European vendor and they break at a rate 1 per year, which is reasonable in my book.
And BTW: you can always ask them to send you stiff/flexible/medium blades, whichever you prefer

http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de/


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