Cantabria Fencing Training Camp

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WEAPONS:

Weapons are different in their shape, weight, grip and the way to fight with them.

 

In Sabre, the target is the upper body above the waist, except the weapon hand. Touches are scored both with the tip or the blade. Only the touch by one fencer can be scored at one time. If the two fencer's make a touch at the same time, only the one having "priority" is counted. Priority belongs to the fencer that started the attack.

 

Èpèe is the heaviest weapon. The target is the entire body, but touches are scored only with the tip. If the two fencer's make a touch at the same time, both are counted.

 

Foil is a weapon that targets the torso (including the back), neck, and groin, but not the arms or legs. The foil has a small circular hand guard that serves to protect the hand from direct stabs; the hand is not a valid target. Touches are scored only with the tip. Only a single touch can be scored by either fencer at one time, as in sabre.

 

There are differences in the grip too. Sabre has a traditional grip, but the Èpèe and Foil have a more sophisticated pistol grip, to allow the weapon to be handled as if it were an extension of the fencer's arm.

 

SABRE

It is the fastest weapon, which makes bouts spectacular. Valid targets are the entire body above the waist, arms and head included, except the weapon hand. In this weapon, touches can be made with the sabre tip or blade.

Weapon's characteristics:

• length: 1,05 m.

• Maximum allowable mass: 500 gr.

• It has a stiffer blade which is triangular in cross-section from the handle to the middle of the blade, and it has been made rectangular from there to the tip. The bellguard, with a convexe figure, is curved around the handle, giving the fencer hand protection.

 

ÈPÈE

The Èpèe is the most realistic specialty of fencing, because the entire body of the opponent is a valid target. All hits must be with the tip, and only with it.

Weapon's characteristics:

• Length: 1,10 m.

• Maximum allowable mass: 770 gr.

• It has a stiffer blade which is triangular in cross-section and has a larger bell guard. Its flexibility is reglamented.

• The bellguard, with 13,5cm diameter, is round and smooth in the outside. The tip has a minimum force of 750 grams-force.