Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

frenzl · 08-05-2003, 04:20 PM

I am very un educated on the idea of metal strips why would you want a strip to be metal? wouldn't a rubber or wooden one be good for traction, money, and saftey. Or is there some other reasoning that i'm missing to have a metal strip.

three_hundred_fifty_five · 08-05-2003, 04:24 PM

It is so hits to the ground won't set off the scoring machine.

frenzl · 08-05-2003, 04:32 PM

Kind of seems stupid to put a metal strip down for $1000+ ~just to stop the off target light from going off~ instead of using a rubber or wooden strip.

Using a non-metalic strip probabaly would remind fencers to control their tip so they can finish an action with out the off target light going off.

three_hundred_fifty_five · 08-05-2003, 04:39 PM

If the tip hits a wooden or rubber strip, the off-target light will go off.

Love,

355

i'mnottelling · 08-05-2003, 04:43 PM

Well, it sucks when you are fencing epee and your opponent goes for a toe shot and misses. The point can hit the floor and the ref can call it a valid touch. With grounded strips the light won't register. Also, in foil, some people will purposely hit the floor to stop the action.

i'mnt

daeceg · 08-05-2003, 04:47 PM

Response to the Grant quote:
What about a fencing competition?

KShan5[PrFC] · 08-05-2003, 06:08 PM

You are thinking foil, they are metal for epee. In epee the feners do not wear metal material all over there body, so the way to set off a light is just to depress the tip. If the strip is metal it works almost as a lame in foil or sabre. But instead of a valid target light going on, the light will not go off at all. Thus it distinguishes the difference of a hit to the ground a hit to valid target. Same idea when you hit the bellguard.

epeemike81 · 08-05-2003, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frenzl
Kind of seems stupid to put a metal strip down for $1000+ ~just to stop the off target light from going off~ instead of using a rubber or wooden strip.

Using a non-metalic strip probabaly would remind fencers to control their tip so they can finish an action with out the off target light going off.

well, there's the epee thing, which I need not mention again.

Additionally, I get BETTER traction on copper strips (the rollout variety) than I do on metal or wood.

Clearly, for high level competition, grounding floor touches is important. As for in your club, I would say it's helpful, but I don't think anybody here would suggest that all clubs should have grounded strips... many good clubs don't have any.

-m

Wizardly · 08-06-2003, 12:33 AM

I rather preferred metal to copper cloth. I never liked the feeling of the floor moving beneath me as I lunged; I always stuck rather nicely to metal.

Besides, why is a 1000 dollar metal strip a waste of money? You spend that much on a box, reels, and floor cords, let alone on lames and body cords, just to tell the ref when a hit is valid or not when 4 judges can do the same job for free. It's simply an added extra perk on which someone's willing to spend the money.

If you don't much care to buy a metallic piste, you can, if you wish, construct a rubber (which I have seen) or a wooden (which I haven't...think of the splinters) strip.

Now, what the USFA desperately needs is some kind of traction standard. I do so love fencing on dusty tile...couldn't get much more slippery if it were teflon.

Artisan · 08-06-2003, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by epeemike81
As for in your club, I would say it's helpful, but I don't think anybody here would suggest that all clubs should have grounded strips... many good clubs don't have any.

-m

-- not to mention the impact on the shoe budget if you were to train regularly on metal pistes.

heysteve · 08-06-2003, 04:11 AM

Actually, you are all wrong.

The metal strips are for those outdoor one-touch epee competitions. When the loser gets upset, and starts waving his epee around in the air, the metal strip acts as a good conductor so that he can be hit by lightning and deep-fried to a yummy, golden-brown, extra-crispy, Kentucky Fried Chicken shade of embarrased.

'nuff said.

veeco · 08-06-2003, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wizardly

Now, what the USFA desperately needs is some kind of traction standard. I do so love fencing on dusty tile...couldn't get much more slippery if it were teflon.

Actually, I think that the FIE is working on such a standard. I remember reading something either here or on the Leon Paul website about this.

If that's the case it's one good thing to credit the FIE and Leon Paul for.

i'mnottelling · 08-06-2003, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by daeceg
Response to the Grant quote:
What about a fencing competition?

Only if you stand too close to the bout committee table!

i'mnt

Indy4ever · 08-06-2003, 06:57 PM

about the wood... some types of wood are very slippery. in my school the foilists get the metal pistes, despite us being the ones who need them more. however, the floor in their hall is not a sports hall, its like ice. they need metal pistes for the grip. yes, it shreds your shoes, but who wants the same pair of sweaty sports shoes ten years straight???

KShan5[PrFC] · 08-06-2003, 08:45 PM

Plus the copper ones can allow large pockets of air to be trapped underneath, which can be very annoyiying, especially if you cannot force the air out.

Inquartata · 08-06-2003, 08:54 PM

At the Rocky Mountain Sectionals this year they had some thin black rubber strips which they used for the sabre bouts. Those things were GREAT! They gripped, they didn't shift around under your feet, they didn't imperil ankles and knees like those sectioned aluminum strips. Too bad the other two weapons can't make use of them...

graphixaddict · 08-07-2003, 12:41 PM

at the club i fence at they just use taped outlines of stripes on the thin rug, personally i have only fenced on wood floores and the rug floors and i prefer the rug floors, the rug adds alittle padding but at the same time is stiff enough and has enough traction that you dont slide.
Graphix

Queen of Hearts · 08-09-2003, 09:34 AM

At practice I see no need to fence on any grounded strip (if you fence epee). After all, it is just practice and you should be able to tell if you hit the floor or not, then all you need to be is honest. I, however, in competitons, prefer the copper cloth over the metal; as long as there are no bubbles in it. It also seems that the copper cloth would be easier to carry and would take up less space on the way home. I wouldn't know for sure though. So correct me if I am wrong.

Talyn · 08-09-2003, 10:43 AM

Most club members are honest and all... but every now n then you get this arrogant lil prick who lies his head off...

i'mnottelling · 08-09-2003, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Queen of Hearts
It also seems that the copper cloth would be easier to carry and would take up less space on the way home. I wouldn't know for sure though. So correct me if I am wrong.

Actually the copper strips are very heavy and cumbersome to move around. You can't fold them up you have to keep them rolled. It's alot of work to tape them down and roll them up properly.

i'mnt