From the mailbag - Sabre question

[Craig]

Here's the question:

Question:Occasionally while bouting (sabre) my opponent scores points against me from a simple clash of blades. His blade does not come anywhere near my target area, yet the scoring system registers a hit against me.

What could be causing this?


Could this be from the bell having a break in the insulation and it being in contact with the lame at the time of the beat?

Craig

[Peach]

Some part of the weapon (usually a bit of metal between the pommel nut and the grip, but sometimes the edge of the bell or a scrape in the paint on the inside of the bell) is touching the overglove of the fencer against whom the hit was scored. Apply electrical tape liberally to the pommel area. Tape the inside edge of the guard (not the outside edge, because then hits on the guard which whip over will not be locked out by the timing on the box). Tape or dab a bit of nail polish over any scrapes in the paint.

[neevel]

Check your body cord for any leakage between the B or C lines and the A line. This would cause blade contact to set off a light.

-Dave