Electric foil blade Paul Etoile

I've only been fencing with this blade for a few weeks now, but it's looking to be worthwhile investment. First of all, this blade is very light. It basically looks like a much heavier blade has been sanded down to make it very light and flexible. However, with this comes the question of durability. I'm not sure yet how the blade will hold up as it acquires kinks. What is nice about the smooth surface of the blade is that it seems to do a nice job of resisting nicks and burrs, which should help to extend the life of the blade. Probably the most annoying thing about this blade, as you can see in the picture, is the narrow groove at the base of the blade. This leaves little room for spaghetti between the guard and the base of the blade, leaving me nervous about the guard cutting through the spaghetti into the wire.



As a fencer relatively new fencer (1 year) I often find myself up against opponents who can wield the heaviest FIE blade as if it were a toothpick. This blade at least reminds me that my opponents aren't faster because of a ligter weapon. At the price I paid ($24+shipping for the bare blade), I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light, flexible, well-made blade that won't break the bank.



Edit: Keeping this up to date, I put my first big bend in the blade today. It bent back pretty well with no kinks whatsoever.



Edit (pt 2): the blade is starting to get pretty soft these days after about 4 weeks of fencing, twice a week.



Well, I'll never buy one of these blades again. These things get way too soft. The blade bent at the tip, right underneath the barrel. And when I say it bent, I mean sideways. This thing is not even worth trying to salvage.