foil blade question

[glowstix]

i've been fencing for about 3-4 months now and i have my own weapons. i primarily fence foil and i notice that the blade seems to be getting weaker ( a lot more flex). i know part of it is because i'm actually fencing with it but i need to know how long these foil blades typically last. how can i tell when they are going to break??

i didn't buy a top quality weapon either; just an average beginner's set

[CvilleFencer]

What brand and style foil do you have? Is is BG or Triplette? Is it colored? There should be a proof mark near the guard. We couls probably give you a better idea if we knew what you had!

[jeff]

glowstix, the biggest clues that your blade is about to break are having either an "s-curve" in the blade (bends up and down), or has a kink in it (an angled bend at one point, rather than a smooth curve). Either one of those is Bad News. Most blades break on the foible (the part of the blade near the tip rather than the handle) where the metal is thinner and weaker, and where it's been subject to more flexing and stress.

Try to preserve your blade by straightening it out when it bends "wrong", leaving a slight curve in it. Ask the more experienced fencers or your coach how to do that. It will make a big difference in how long the blade lasts.

[CvilleFencer]

Also it seems that a blade will ALWAYS break at the site of a nic or a stress riser. I use a green scrubby and a fine file to keep my blades shiny and tone down burs and nics. I can't swear that it makes them last longer, but I still have one of the three foils I bought when I started fencing!

[mifencer]

How long does a blade last? If it's non-maraging and you practice about 3 times a week with a lesson once a week, if lucky the blade will last a month. If it's a maraging blade with the same schedule around 4 months. Also depends how heavy handed you are. I would also recommend rotating foils if you can and buy maraging blades with German tips.

Cville - Ted Li used to say the same thing about the green scouring pad. I used to do it, but now I'm just to lazy.

[glowstix]

i got the blade from physicalchess.com. it really doesn't say anything descriptive about the blade other than its an adult size 5
and that its intended primarily for beginners.

i fence twice a week but do some minor target bladework at home on the days i don't fence. i've had the blade for about 3 months now.

the next time i buy a blade, what should i look for if i'm buying online?? which company is the best for equipment??

thanks

[CvilleFencer]

Originally posted by mifencer
Cville - Ted Li used to say the same thing about the green scouring pad. I used to do it, but now I'm just to lazy.

Well, I will admit the last few times I have bought blades I have just bought colored FIE Maraging ones and only run a file up and down the edges on occasion. I am lazy to!

Glowstick, if you do not flick, want a blade that lasts a long time, and is nice and stiff, got with a Vniti with German V2A tip and wire. I have had one for over six months now and I or someone in my club uses it 2-3 times a week, plus a tourney every other week or so.

You can find them at BG, Blade, and Bladerunners. Of the three I would reccommend Blade for ordering. I do not say that phrase often!

The vniti's are about 70-100 bucksdepending on what furniture you get and they are a bit heavy and rigid, but I can't kill mine! I am on my 2nd tip however.

Good luck!

[NJP3]

Originally posted by mifencer
How long does a blade last? If it's non-maraging and you practice about 3 times a week with a lesson once a week, if lucky the blade will last a month. If it's a maraging blade with the same schedule around 4 months. Also depends how heavy handed you are. I would also recommend rotating foils if you can and buy maraging blades with German tips.

Cville - Ted Li used to say the same thing about the green scouring pad. I used to do it, but now I'm just to lazy.

My blades usually last much longer than that?!?

[jeff]

This is definitely a "your mileage may vary" situation. In addition to the blade's qualities, fencing style can reduce blade lifetime: if you hit aggressively and hard, if your distance is too close (caused either from the attacker misjudging distance or from counter attacks), or mistakes in technique like dropping the hand at the point of contact (great for making s-curves). I don't know if flicks make a difference.

My lesson blades last almost forever (controlled environment; the above things don't happen); my bouting blades don't break so much as develop ugly bends to the point where I don't want to use them.

[JAySE SUiCiDE]

I've been fencing for about 6-7 months, and got my first 2 blades (Both SG 5) at the start of the second month..i got a sharp angle curve in one of my blades, which i dont use as often, but the other foil, is still working perfect, and i dont use any files etc...they still seem stiff to me. I also bought a Blue blade at the Fencing Post's booth out at the JO's...dont exactly know the name of it though. it still works great, no problems whatsoever... im a girl, but i make mostly counterattacks, and my blades are still fine, which might change things...overall, with all the blades ive had, 3/3 are still fencing fine.

and one question..i hooked up to fence (foil ofcourse) with the blue blade i had, and when i would test no light would go on...not white, red or green...anybody know what could be wrong with it? when i switched foils it was fine, so it has to be something with the blade. thanks!

~JAySE Spencer

[CvilleFencer]

Originally posted by JAySE SUiCiDE
and one question..i hooked up to fence (foil ofcourse) with the blue blade i had, and when i would test no light would go on...not white, red or green...anybody know what could be wrong with it? when i switched foils it was fine, so it has to be something with the blade. thanks!

~JAySE Spencer

My general "It does not work" checklist goes like this. Make sure the box is on/set correctly. They turn them off between bouts in my area and often forget to turn them back on! If that is not the problem, first check for a loose barrel. Look around the tip and make sure that tap or lint is not keeping the plunger from depressing all the way. Then check to make sure the connections to your socket are tight and make sure your blade is not grounding out inside your guard.

From there take apart the tip apart and see if there are any obvious problems. Check to make sure the screws are not to tight before you pull them out. Check your contact points inside the tip, and make sure your springs are not binding or your contact tip is not covered with lint or corrosion.

If none of the above fixes it, I toss it on the shelf of blades I will rewire someday. I really will. Someday. Of course I could almost open my own both now...

Anyway, other might have better ideas, but that is what I try to check!

[DHCJr]

You have a short in the weapon. There are several places it might be shorting out.

The wire may be crushed by the handle. Loosen the handle, make sure you have spagetti over the whole wire from the groove of the blade to the connector and it is not damaged. Make sure it is coming out the groove of the handle.

Make sure you have no excess wire shorting out at the connector.

If the barrel was recently tightened, that may have caused your problem. Take out the tip and see if the white light comes on on the machine, your tip may be the problem. You might loosen the tip slightly, but be very careful.

I don't know how close you are to White Plains. There is an Armorer there who can help you. Contact me, if you would like at DHCJr@juno.com