Which Weapon

[Grey]

I'm very sorry. Its because they have completely no idea how it works hence the reason why our epeeist are a complete flop. For me I use ROW in epee in terms of human reaction time albeit a little shorter than it should be. But lets not go off-topic here share we?

ps : thanks for sharing your views. Such opinions are so rare that they are almost extinct in my country.

[Old Man]

I was talking to my coach who was a fencing olympian from another country (Poland)and has fenced all her life. She said that they start the kids off in foil. As they show signs that they would be better at sabre or epee they move them over. I have a little English/Polish barrier but I did get that the fundimentals learned when you apply ROW gives you added perspective in identifying attacks and also preparing strategy in epee. I just want to make sure that the recommendation to move to foil is not because of her preference and it is actually because of my abilities.

[J.Harris]

We tend to have children of 7 or 8 at our club and they tend to be a bit dangerous with a sabre or epee in their hand, so they start with foil...

As for me, I can't stand sabre, it just seems to have no self-control and.. urgh! I like the idea of epee, but it's sooo slow, feels like standing at opposite ends of the piste and glaring at each other. So foil it is again

Out of interest, Grey, where is it you're from?

[remise]

I fence epee because it was the weapon my coach put in my hand. My son, however, tried all three weapons and settled for sabre. His attitude about fencing is almost a clone of Peach's. "Do you enjoy getting hit about the head?" I ask.

"I enjoy hitting my opponent," he'll say,"If I get hit, then I did something wrong and I fix it. I can slash, whip, or stab as I please. Sabre is a fine, elegant weapon, challenging, fast, and addictive." Once, while watching me practice on the strip, he commented,"Too bad you chose such a brutish weapon. Look at all the fun you're missing."

I wanted to retort to that, but as a Mom, I searched his face and saw no malice or sarcasm whatsoever. He was being frank. In his opinion, I'd gone down the wrong path. Sabre chose him, and I'm too hooked on epee to change. I respect his choice, just as he mourns mine.

[dekko]

As someone said earlier, the events chooses the person, not the other way around. Each event has its own personality and everyone matches one of the personalities, when its found they move to that event.

Why should someone who likes fencing but doesn't like foil be forced to learn it just because of some outdated idea that everyone should start with foil? Let the person choose their event and they will enjoy it much more and the sport will be better for it.

[Grey]

Singapore. I mentioned that in another thread.

[telkanuru]

Epee is, of course, the best of all possible options, but I may be biased. Epee is for the patient, the few, the over 6 footers... but I digress. Actually, I enjoy foil almost as much as epee. The blades are so whippy, whee! Flick! Sabre is a fun thing to pick up every once in a while, but it's a bit to quick for me, and if you're a beginner, you'll just end up hurting the other person. However, those who say sabreurs are uncontrolled know nothing. Get the sabre world cup vidio. Hell, I don't even see them moving their hands while they're parrying. I have great respect for the good sabreurs. Of course, I have more respect for the good epeeists. Bias again, alas. In general, I'd say use the standard of progression of foil to whatever.

[J.Harris]

Ok to clarify I wasn't actuall suggesting sabruers have no self control, just that's how it seems to me. I can win some sabre bouts and my club (which isn't of the highest calibre) by simply flunging at my opponent as soon as someone goes "Fence".

I'm sure all half-decent sabruers have control, but I in foil I feel like I have a lot more control. Again, this is just my bias

[Amexoiss]

I do so love a good Holy war.

[gulebukser]

I decided based on which weapon is by far superior...foil

That is the best argument that I have ever heard.

The best, pah!

[shortepeeist]

I must agree with Amexoiss in that it always seem to be a Holy war whenever anyone brings up this discussion. Anyone can guess that I fence epee, but I must say that what people do around you can influence your descion a lot since they are the people that you have to practice with. Luckly in the club that I am in we have all three so if you want to try one or the other it is possible. Also I would like to say that epee is only as fast as anyone makes it. I recently fenced a very quick match at a tournament that was a lot of fun and afterwards someone said almost looked like a sabre bout. Oh well whatever you feel most comfortable with is what I say.

[Inquartata]

That is the best argument that I have ever heard.

Heh, don't get out much, do you?

Anyway, yes, we always go 'round and 'round about which weapon is "best", but at least it's mostly tongue-in-cheek. It's like arguing which Ranger batt is best, obviously it's the 2nd but they're all superior to any other unit...

[Morion]

I practice foil to learn control. In my Salle it is the most popular weapon and I get to bout more in foil.

I'm learning Epee because I like the closeness it has to actual Dueling. It is possible for both combatants to do each other in, and it is a good way to practice point control.

I avoid Sabre because I dislike feeling like a Pinata at a birthday party. Although I might try it later on after I have gotten better at the first 2.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Speaking of epee looking like a duel. My club is hosting a one touch epee tournament this Saturday. All you Houstonites ought to make the drive out to the event. http://www.spindletopcavaliers.org/Pages/Columbiad.htm.

[esskreemr]

I like foil. Even as convoluted as foil ROW can get, I think it's a much greater challenge due to the fact that you have to fence a three person in each bout; yourself, your opponent, and the director. Some people tend to get frustrated by the extreme politics of foil. I like to try to adapt. Unless of course it a blatantly obvious misinterpretation of the rules to bias the outcome for the other fencer, in which case I'd like to adapt my foil into a steel enema...

I think it's great that we have three weapons that are somewhat interrelated yet sooo completely different. I don't think that the weapon picks the fencer. take an epee, circle some fencers around it, and give it a spin. Is it going to "land" on the epee fencer or the person with the most iron content in his/her blood? We have three weapons, each different in style and effect from the other for a reason, they each require a specific mindset thusly (whoooh yeah) appealing to a specific type of individual. They may even appeal to the same person at different times.

[Bigboi]

I couldn't help but notice that the epeeists in your country are a "complete flop". Interesting observation and bold words given your fencing experience and competitive resume. But I suppose everyone is entitled to his opinion. However, as one of the "flops" that you mentioned, I couldn't help but wonder if you wouldn't mind justifying your damning criticism of myself and my team-mates sometime ? You know where we train so feel free to drop by anyday other than Thursday. We're most interested to be enlightened and I'm sure you'll find us your most willing and attentive audience. If not, we'll see you next week.

[epeefencer74]

I'm very sorry. Its because they have completely no idea how it works hence the reason why our epeeist are a complete flop. For me I use ROW in epee in terms of human reaction time albeit a little shorter than it should be. But lets not go off-topic here share we?

ps : thanks for sharing your views. Such opinions are so rare that they are almost extinct in my country.

Sorry everyone for reviving an old thread, but this I must reply to. Of the top 4 fencers in the Singapore epee national team right now, I know that there at least 2 guys who were excellent foil fencers when they were teenagers before they converted to epee. They understand ROW alright as do I.

As for the other two guys I am not sure of their grounding. Nick started fencing when he was overseas and Cheez started fencing before I did. We have been fencing long before you showed your face on the scene, Grey. Be very careful what you say on and off the web, we are watching.

If you haven't noticed we are a very small community and are in touch with each other. Notice how you seem to be out of the loop.

[Epee_Pox]

Take some beginner lessons in foil or sabre -- doesn't matter which. Figure out how to hold the weapon, do the footwork, and make basic parries & attacks. Spar a little with other beginners to get the feel of bouting with that weapon.

Once you're comfortable, after a couple months, switch over to the other one. Get used to the feel of that weapon and get comfortable with its basic parries and attacks. Spar a little with other beginners to get the feel of bouting with that other weapon.

Once you're comfortable with the second weapon, after another month or so, take some time to play with both. Just play and see which one is the most fun.

Then put your sabre and your foil in the closet and just fence epee.

[oiuyt]

Get the sabre world cup vidio. Hell, I don't even see them moving their hands while they're parrying.

That's because real sabre fencers parry with their feet (*as an image of a high kick to block a head cut comes to me*). Have the correct distance and the hand barely needs to move.

-B :)

[dunastor]

Hell, I don't even see them moving their hands while they're parrying.

That's because they're moving faster than light