Putting a bend in a foil

[Sorcroft]

I recently purchased a foil, Dinamo I think, from Tripplett as part of their starter set, with an Italian viscotti handle. It looks nice, but very straight. I need to know how to put a bend in the blade. Can anyone help me?

[neevel]

Take a tool with a large eyeloop (the loop end of a combo wrench is ideal, the hanging loop on a tool will be adequate), put the blade through it, and then work your way up the length of the blade and inch or two at a time, squeezing the blade and wrench together to bend it. It may take a couple of passes, but it'll train a smooth curve into the blade.

-Dave

[Arturo]

with the dynamo blades from TCA you dont have to do much to put a bend in it. Just fence with it for about a week and it will have one.

[Peach]

It's kinder to your opponents to put a bend in it first - a solid hit with an unbent blade hurts.

[Drew42]

Turn your blade *upside down!* (the Triplette stamp is on the top of the tang), then find a peice of carpet. Place the blade under your foot while you're wearing sneakers or other soft soled shoes and press down with your foot. Obviuosly you have to be bent over to do this. Now pull and push the blade back and forth under your foot. The heat will let the blade take the new curev and keep it better (be careful, the blade will get hot); the slight difference between the floor level and how far you can bend over while pushing and pulling the blade will give it a gentle, yet very effective curve. Repeat this procedure whenever needed (i.e. skewered oppnents).

Good luck,

Drew


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"Thank God we are neither boxers nor wrestlers." Aldo Nadi

[PisteOff]

I agree with Drew42. I see my coaches put curves in new foils using their shoe and the floor and they come out perfect. (When they do it hehe...)

PisteOff

[Purple Fencer]

I think people are also forgetting the importance of putting a slight cant on the tang. it helps the balance as well.

As for putting a bend on it....just fence Wes Bellanca from UC San Diego...he'll bend your blade in ways not know n to mortal man...he did enough times to me when we were club mates...it's kinda like fencign a linebacker...or a freight train.

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Sam Signorelli -- I'll be mellow when I'm
DEAD!