indicators an Uhlmann epee blade will break?

[MyraTrue]

To prefact this question, I have an Uhlmann epee, basically it was the cheapest they made, came wired. I bought it after a semester of use by my old club and its seen some abuse. It used to just take significant bend when you hit hard, but its gotten to the point it will bend either up, or down, and now it S curves as well.

Typically, I've seen that once a blade gets to the point it will bend all over the place like this, its going to break VERY SOON.

My question is this- are the lowend Uhlmann epee blades just very flexible (ie- like those foils that bend, bend, bend, but never die?) or am I right that its going to die and very soon?

I like this blade, its my primary weapon, and my favorite. Part of me is tempted to fence until it breaks , but you run the chance of injuring someone, or at least damaging knickers or jacket or mask.

So, should I just give in and change it out? (the answer is yes, but I think I need to hear it from someone else!)

Thanks,
My'

[cowpaste]

Last time I checked, Uhlmann didn't make blades, but they did indeed sell them. Thats means your blade probably isn't any better than normal. It will die.

You should fence till it breaks though. If I were a blade, that's how I would like to go. Who knows? It might be usable for another year.

[MyraTrue]

well, I should say, the blade is stamped Uhlmann, but I KNOW its no FIE blade.

I guess I fear actually hurting someone. I've got a spare blade (Even FIE) but I don't like it a whole lot...

But its a good death for a blade!

[downunder]

just fence it out, hehe

[damianip]

It is rather hard to predict imminent failure in a blade unless there are tiny cracks showing or it's kinked so badly that you can't smooth it out.

I have an old Triplette blade (same forge as Uhlmann) which has been wrinkled for about 18 months, the last six of which have been spent being used by my son, a notorious blade breaker.

On the other hand, just last week, I was commenting on how durable my LP blades were and how well they handle abuse. The next day, first bout, it broke on the first touch. It's the first blade I broke in almost two years.

So, the moral of the story is: it's hard to predict these things. Fence with it. If it breaks, that's the reason we all wear protective gear.


Paolo

[DangerMouse]

Originally posted by damianip
On the other hand, just last week, I was commenting on how durable my LP blades were and how well they handle abuse. The next day, first bout, it broke on the first touch.

Talking about the durability of your blades is the only sure indicator of an immanent break. It happens every time.

[Artisan]

Just a semi related comment: almost every epee blade I've broken seems to break about 8-9 inches from the tip. 2/3 of the time they break while straightening them (in hand or under foot), 1/3 when hitting. Seems to not matter what brand or quality, FIE or other. A bad bend seems to leave a "soft spot" and will bend again there in similar circumstances. Blades get "looser" in general as they get older, tending to become more "flickable"

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by cowpaste
Last time I checked, Uhlmann didn't make blades, but they did indeed sell them. Thats means your blade probably isn't any better than normal. It will die.

Uhlmann is now making FIE Blades with the FS stamp. I am not sure if the Uhlmann Ultra is made at the same forge or if they are subcontracted.

[MyraTrue]

I guess I'll keep fencing with it then. It DOES straighten out just fine, you just have to do it after every touch/time you hit. I should keep track of how long it lasts, maybe for the fun of it.

Just make sure to carry my wired spare blade, cause when that Uhlmann blade goes...

[Gav]

I would just use it. You get a feeling [or at least I do] when a blade is about to go. usually it occurs when I practise fleches on my coach. I usually look at the last 3rd before we start and think "yep, that's gonna go I bet we do fleches tonight" - I'm usually right. There's nothing much you can do about it. I hate BF blades for the odd shapes they get into after a really short period of time. I find that LP blades (although they don't last that much longer) at least hold their shape right up until they break.

[sawsehel]

So all this means that my epee blade is going soon too...
It's starting to get an S-bend...after every touch...

Hmm...good to know anyway.

So how much money should you spend on your weapon?

I was just wondering if it pays to buy a more expensive one
or just buy several cheaper ones...

Sorry, newbie.

-sawsehel

[Artisan]

Originally posted by sawsehel
.....
It's starting to get an S-bend...after every touch...


I was just wondering if it pays to buy a more expensive one
or just buy several cheaper ones...
-sawsehel

If you're getting an "S-bend" with every touch, it probably means you are not hitting correctly - that the foible is bending up whilst the original bend in the middle of the blade is still facing down.
Sometimes this is from moving the guard diagonally as you hit rather than driving it straight. Also concentrate on your hand position (rotation) relative to the target you are hitting (4, 6, 7, 8, 2 etc...)

FIE blades cost 2-3 times more than a plain blade. Whether they last 2-3 times longer depends more on how you fence. If you regularly hit such that the blade is bent backwards, or over bends and needs frequent straightening, it might be wise to buy cheap in quantity until your form improves.

[duel mom]

Do many fencers track maintenence on their weapons? Do you number them or name them or do they have different colors on the grip or tape?

Dangerous breaking blades frighten me and I think this situation is best avoided if possible and I wonder if tracking would help.

[Artisan]

Originally posted by duel mom
Do many fencers track maintenence on their weapons? Do you number them or name them or do they have different colors on the grip or tape?

Dangerous breaking blades frighten me and I think this situation is best avoided if possible and I wonder if tracking would help.

I don't think any form of tracking would help predict failure, and even if it did it would mean "retireing" a blade before it breaks - can't imagine who would do that, unless the funds are someone elses. I have several weapons, each a little different from on another. As much as I would like to have them all identical, the cost would be prohibative. I get by with a mix of good FIE blades that I buy when I can, cheapos I buy when I can't and handmedowns and tradeins from other fencers whenever possible. In time you'll get to notice the difference in the feel of a blade, and when its getting "tired" and yet I've had blades break when least expected.

The solution you are after is not in the blades but in being sure to wear a plastron, good mask and properly maintained clothing - and avoiding the occasional ill-trained out of control whackos whenever possible.