Originally Posted by
GeneChing
If a blade doesn't flex, it's too brittle and will snap. This is a great misconception about modern swords, as people don't hit them against each other anymore.
The modern epee and foil is just like the historic ones, save for the button. Back when I used to work at American Fencers, we sharpened epees and ran them through plywood. The saber is much skinnier, so it's not quite the same.
David Jamieson: It's actually pretty easy to find crappy blades. China-made fencing blades were notorious for a long time, but I've heard that they are much better now. There's no machine to temper blades - it's still all done by hand - so a veteran fencer will pick through the stacks to find good steel. By Paul, do you mean Leon Paul? I personally never cared for Leon Paul equipment. I always leaned to the German-made stuff like Uhlmann and Allstar. Mind you, I haven't fenced in years and the market has changed considerably.
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, they are still tempered steel.
Take a practical rapier and dull it and put a "button" on it and try fencing with it, you will see the difference.
Far more ridgid and less forgiving.
I am not taking anything away from the danger of a foil or epee that has been modified to be practical, but that is NOT what we are talking about.
The fact that the blade GIVES as much as it does to NOT penetrate the chest guard is significant.
Psalms 144:1
Praise be my Lord my Rock,
He trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle !