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Who is that young and dashing swordsman?
:D

When I was at the University of Toronto I used to train with the UofT guys, just for fun mind you.
Very few sports develop the skillset that fencing does.

I'll give you that, perhaps I am stuck a bit in the rapier/straight sword view and am not giving the "small sword" the merit it deserves.

A blade will shatter if hit incorrectly ( or correctly depending on your point of view).
The more flexable the LESS chance of breaking.

I am aware that they have to flex, the degree of flex is still far more in a sport foil or epee than a "practical" rapier or straight sword.
Of course if you sharpen a foil or epee they can pierce,...

Dude, they are not made of high tensile steel or anything like that, they are designed to give and flex, not to pierce and "run through".

Dd dyou ever read the account of when Nadi actually fought a real duel?

Well, it is sport and those aren't real blades, but the skill set is great.

Sabre rocks !