FL Blade...?

[Max]

I was recently given a new dry foil w/an FL blade. I've heard much about the poor quality of newer FL blades, so I was wondering, should I just return the thing, or keep it? I'd only be using it lightly for around 2 months for practice at school.

[Mergs]

I would say keep it, but buy a spare blade. You never really know how long it will last. I would say it will last longer for someone who has been fencing a while, but not so long for someone who goes at it pretty hard. Does that make sense?

[Max]

Sense it doth make, many thanks for the reply.

[Swordsworn]

What is this about the new FL blades? I have used the old ones for years and believe me I am very hard on my blades. What exactly is wrong with the new ones? (My current one is 3 years old and still going well)

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"The sword isn't our lives, it just keeps us alive for the really good parts" - Graham Ashe

[foodle]

My last FL blade only lasted me 2 months. It broke nice and jagged just below the tip tape. I think most people are complaining about the durability of the blades. And now I can see why.

I'm tentatively switching over to Leon Paul Etoile blades while I ponder whether or not maraging blades are worth it and which ones to get. Recommendations welcome...

[Mergs]

FL blades have taken a turn for the worse in terms of quality. Bought two last year and they didn't last two months. Don't know what they have done, but what ever it was it didn't work. I have plenty of old FL's that are holding up quite well. New ones are garbage.

[darius]

The maraging FL blades are still nice -- they are quite flickable but not too soft; I never feel like I'm ahead of my point when I do a tight disengage.

I break one perhaps every 6 months, but I fence 6 days/week, 2 hours/day, and I'm pretty rough on blades (strong counterattacks, etc.)

darius