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The cut, is a combat technique, whereby one combatant draws the "cutting edge" of a weapon against his or her opponent. A cutting edge is defined as a sharpened edge. For example scimitars, sabers, and katanas are all weapons with a cutting edge. In modern fencing the only cutting weapon is the sabre.

A proper cut in modern fencing is much more controlled and finesse driven than what many people imagine. The pivot point on a cut is not, as many people believe, the elbow. In the most common sabre cut the action occurs in the fingers, causing a snapping action with the sabre.