The fencing championships that are organised all around the world basically use three different types of fencing swords namely; sabre, epee and foil. The rules of game play are different for every different type of sword used in the tournament.
The three basic types of fencing swords include;
Foil
Foil is the most ligh weighted sword which is used in different fencing tournaments. The blade is rounded, very flexible and thin. Originally these swords were made out of rolled steel foil that is why they are called foil swords. This is the most common type of sword which is used in fencing championship games. In foil fencing you can only use the tip of the sword to touch your opponent and score.
Epee
Epee is another type of sword which is used in fencing championships. These swords are more or less similar to the foil but they are much heavier in weight. You can score points in the same manner as you score points in foil fencing that is by touching your opponent only by the tip of the sword. But there is an exception and that is you can hit any part of your opponents body.
Sabre
The third type of fencing swords is the sabre. It is quite different from foil and epee as it is much wider and flatter. With a sabre sword you can score points by touching the tip of the sword to your opponent or by touching the side of the blade.
The above mentioned are the three basic types of swords that are used in the fencing competitions. Some other types of swords include;
Rapiers: these are heavy swords but the creation of epee and foil swords is based on this type of sword.
Electric swords: nowadays electric swords are also used for fencing competitions. usually all competition swords have some electrical connection this is done to ensure that correct scoring is done. Other than that some training swords are also upgraded to be electrical ones.
So, these are the basic types of fencing swords among these sabre, foil and epee are the ones that are used most commonly. In Olympics fencing only these three types of swords are used and among these three foil is considered to be the most common one.
Types of Fencing Swords
Fencing: What do you need to practice it?
To begin practicing it is not always necessary to buy any equipment. Clubs supply junior fencing equipment and when an intermediate level is achieved, there is the option of buying one item at time. Always opt to get the electric gear if you can afford it.
Glove
Fencers wear glove in the hand that holds the fencing sword. The electric version connects to the body wires. The glove protects that more exposed hand to sword hits. You will find gloves in Small, Medium and Large sizes and also made to measure.
Mask
Protects mainly the front part of the head, it is made with a strong and resistant thin wire mesh. Different masks are used for Foil and Epée or Sabre. When you get to the point that you will buy your mask, your coach will advice you on the best option for your need. They can be electric or non-electric.
Jacket
They are usually supplied by the clubs and 800N are the usually chosen jackets for junior fencing for providing extra protection. You can buy your own and there are many options and materials available. Fencers say that frontal zips are practical and more comfortable.
Plastron
Chest Guard. Can be electric or non electric, they are the protective vest worn under the garb that covers chest and sword arm.
Weapon
Take your time to decide to buy your sword. Practice and improve your skills so when it comes the time to choose your sword you are well informed of your needs. You buy your sword in pieces, choosing each component as you require.
Investment
You can start practicing in a club that offers free fencing equipment for beginners so it is not necessary to invest in equipment straight away.
Courses can cost from around £100 to about £180 for once a week class for 8 weeks.
A starter kit could be a good option when first buying equipment. Reasonable quality Fencing starter kits can be bought from £100 to £250, and can cost much more depending on quality and specifications.
Fencing Swords
Here are a few types of fencing swords:
. Foil – more flexible and lighter than the Epée and blows hurt less, but no more flexible than the Sabre. It is a fencing sword widely chosen by women and considered ideal for beginners as it is more delicate to use and requires a lot of balance, posture, coordination, agility and flexibility, preparing for advanced fencing and techniques
. Epée – the point of the blade can hit any part of the opponent’s body, so it is played in a more erected body position favouring taller fencers. It is the hardest blade of the three fencing swords, producing strong and sharp blows
. Sabre - Fencing with Sabre as the chosen Fencing Sword requires great agility. It is the most flexible of the three blades, whipped attacks are hard to block as the blade can bend over the opponents sword in a really fast paced duel.
Electric and Non Electric Fencing refers to use of electronic scoring gauge incorporated to the fencer gear and the bout track. Before the advent of electronic scoring, some fencing championships would use paint on the fencing swords to make it easier to keep score.
To start practicing, many clubs supply plastic swords and masks specially designed for junior fencing. Beginners can practise the techniques and learn fencing rules without much investment as fencing weapons and equipment are not cheap and were keeping the sport to expand.
Fencing Protection
When fencing your protection is vital, outfits are built up of cotton, nylon and kevlar for stronger protection due to an incident in 1982 at the World Championships, when gold Olympic winner Smirnov was injured in the eye and later died in hospital.
The rules in a fencing tournament is that the fabric must be able to resist forces of at least 800 newtons, due to the incident in the 1982 Olympics the mask bib should be able to resist double that of any other parts of the fencing outfit.
These are the parts of fencing outfit:
The protection for the underarm is called a Plastron; this goes underneath the jacket and will give you great protection on your sword arm side. It won’t have a seam on the armpit to line up with the jacket seam; this will prove to be a weak spot.
The glove is made especially for fencing; to prevent the opponent’s blade from going up your sleeve your fencing glove has a gauntlet. You only where one glove which is worn on your sword hand, it protects your hand well and provides superb grip.
A short pair of trousers called breeches or knickers for females. They go as far as your knees but provide grip. To cover the rest of your legs you have to wear knee high socks, these go all the way up to the thigh.
The shoes are flat soled; these will provide reinforcement on the inside of your back foot and heel of your front.
The mask is the most important of the outfit for your protection, it will include a bib. The bib protects your neck which believe me makes you feel a lot safer.
Chest protectors are worn next to your skin, first worn by instructors who were hit a lot during fencing training, but have become a popular addition to the outfit for competitors.
A lame layer is made of an electrical conducted material which is sleeveless and worn over your fencing jacket. This uses a circuit and is part of the scoring in fencing.