Strange problem in Foil

[CarlKnoch]

At a foil event not long ago I was refereeing on a strip where we went to test, and for some reason when one of the fencers would hit the other on target with the SIDE of the foil, he would get an on target light. Not when he just grazed the lame, but when he gave it a good solid hit. It would also register on target if he tested valid, and it tested as off target when he tested off target areas.

The other fencer was getting the appropriate lights when he tested.

I had the fencer with the problem switch weapons, and the second weapon also did this. Switched him to his third weapon and it worked fine, we went on with the match after cards given.

I felt bad as I did not know what the problem was, but I did prove that by changing weapons the problem was stopped, which to me means it was the weapon.

What could have caused this?

C

[prototoast]

Sounds like the box was set on sabre.

[sallearmourer]

Sound more like a bodycord problem to me even changeing weapons it's still sound like a bodycord problem. 98% of all problems is in the bodycord


Tim

[DHCJr]

As Tim said, most the time what you described is a body cord. Prototoast idea also is a possibility. Let me give you what could have happened. None of us were there and you probably would not remember some details so this is all speculation.

Let us talk about the bodycord first. How was the taping on the blade especially near the tip? Was the jacket of their opponent form fitting? If the wires were reversed which happens a lot and you hit hard with the side of the blade, you can get a momentary break in the circuit, which could be loose barrel, loose handle, connector, or various other parts. You will get a valid light. If the tape was not all that good and especially if going against a loose jacket, the tip could land and in pulling back the barrel touches the lame and again a valid touch. So how do I explain the third weapon, the wiring on the weapon could have been reversed. It is rare, but I have seen it done, but only on a 2-prong connector.

Now let us talk about machines. I don’t know about you, but it bugs the hell out of me the noise of the box. Between rounds or between bouts when they are taking their time, I either switch it to Epee or off. Between the 2nd and 3rd weapon was there a long pause while they search for another weapon. Could the machine been turned off to shut off the noise and then switch to Foil, where the first two times it was Sabre.

These are just suggestions. There may be other reasons.

[telkanuru]

When the same problem occours, but with multiple weapons, I tend to say it's not the weapons and accuse some other poor piece of equipment. I would therefore concour with the above.

[Mergs]

I was at the same event and Carl asked me for my opinion on the problem, which I must say had me puzzled, too. I can say that the problem was not with the tape or the machine being set on saber, as the bpool had been going on for a while with out the box being shut off.

So, given those conditions, I can accept the body cord explanation, except for the fact that two of the three weapons showed this problem, while the third didn't. Thoughts?

[sallearmourer]

I have seen this problem before that the 3rd weapon could have been wire backwards along with the BC. therefore when the thrid weapon was bought on line everthing work.

Tim

[gojujay]

Might be corrosion inside the body cord or a loose wire in the weapon end of the body cord. I've seen corrosion do some strange things outside of fencing (military).