Fencing (the sport)
Discussion
Its great fun. I took it up last year and really enjoy it, very good exercise, a good mental sport (the best are not necessarily the fittest or strongest but rather those that think about it more).
Kit is relatively cheap (a Leon Paul starter kit is around £300 for example) when compared with target shooting or golf.
Find yourself a club http://www.britishfencing.com/ ring the organiser and find out when they meet and arrange to go and have a try, just be aware that due to insurance most clubs will ask you have have a membership of British Fencing before you can fence, this can be done through the club for as little as £10, it is around £40 IIRC for full membership which covers you fencing in competitions.
Kit is relatively cheap (a Leon Paul starter kit is around £300 for example) when compared with target shooting or golf.
Find yourself a club http://www.britishfencing.com/ ring the organiser and find out when they meet and arrange to go and have a try, just be aware that due to insurance most clubs will ask you have have a membership of British Fencing before you can fence, this can be done through the club for as little as £10, it is around £40 IIRC for full membership which covers you fencing in competitions.
I've been doing it for 17 years; Epee and Foil when forced - I had an hamstring injury break for a couple of years about the time we had kids, and not competing again until they are both a bit older, but still love it. Also coach children too. Anything you want to know feel free to drop me an email. Most clubs run taster sessions on a rota so you should be able to have a go and borrow kit for not much.
Edited by Hobzy on Monday 30th August 15:01
I'm a foilist and have been for five years or so. I can't really get on with Epee or Sabre, so because I stick with the Foil, people assume I'm a beginner. That and the fact I'm left-handed mean I can surprise a few opponents...
It's fun, good exercise, different, and makes you sweat like a b
d.
It's fun, good exercise, different, and makes you sweat like a b
d. Edited by Doofus on Monday 30th August 15:25
Arguments between Epeeists and Foilists are a bit like the ones between Caterham owners and other Seven-alike owners 
Like most english fencers I started with foil and only took up Epee when I had to fence it for the Uni team. loved it and stuck with it. I'm going to have a good go at sabre this year to try and improve my footwork and fitness.
He's right about being a lefty though. Luckily I had a left handed coach (RIP Roy
) but they are still harder to fence for a righty.
Its all about the footwork - like most sports the movement is the key rather than the bladework.
Like most english fencers I started with foil and only took up Epee when I had to fence it for the Uni team. loved it and stuck with it. I'm going to have a good go at sabre this year to try and improve my footwork and fitness.He's right about being a lefty though. Luckily I had a left handed coach (RIP Roy
) but they are still harder to fence for a righty. Its all about the footwork - like most sports the movement is the key rather than the bladework.
Occasionally. Mainly if being hit by someone with poor technique, but sometimes the blade lands in a spot that doesnt allow it to bend - inside of elbow etc and smarts a bit. More of an issue with Epee though. Thankfully the foil flick hit has been effectively banned by rule changes - they used to really hurt if done badly.
Hits to the nuts clearly make ones eyes water a tad. Women seem to have the uncanny knack of hitting men right on the nipple for some reason... Women have plastic chest protectors and some men wear a plastic chest guard.
Hits to the nuts clearly make ones eyes water a tad. Women seem to have the uncanny knack of hitting men right on the nipple for some reason... Women have plastic chest protectors and some men wear a plastic chest guard.
Hobzy said:
Occasionally. Mainly if being hit by someone with poor technique, but sometimes the blade lands in a spot that doesnt allow it to bend - inside of elbow etc and smarts a bit. More of an issue with Epee though. Thankfully the foil flick hit has been effectively banned by rule changes - they used to really hurt if done badly.
Hits to the nuts clearly make ones eyes water a tad. Women seem to have the uncanny knack of hitting men right on the nipple for some reason... Women have plastic chest protectors and some men wear a plastic chest guard.
Ow! Don't chaps wear a box as they do in cricket, to protect one's nuts?!Hits to the nuts clearly make ones eyes water a tad. Women seem to have the uncanny knack of hitting men right on the nipple for some reason... Women have plastic chest protectors and some men wear a plastic chest guard.
Doofus said:
I'm a foilist and have been for five years or so. I can't really get on with Epee or Sabre, so because I stick with the Foil, people assume I'm a beginner. That and the fact I'm left-handed mean I can surprise a few opponents...
It's fun, good exercise, different, and makes you sweat like a bd.
My two youngest boys (7 & 9) have been asking to take this up recently. It's fun, good exercise, different, and makes you sweat like a b
d. Edited by Doofus on Monday 30th August 15:25
Was worried about 9 year old as is a lefty, does this make him harder to coach/learn?
Have found a club locally and a 10 week course is £60, including all use of equipment, etc.
Will hopefully get them in for a taster next month.
Benjaminpalma said:
Hobzy said:
Doofus said:
Hobzy said:
Arguments between Epeeists and Foilists are a bit like the ones between swordsmen and flyfishermen
EFMA
Its lighter, and doesn't resemble any "real" sword. Its purely a sport weapon. Good foilists are unbelievable to watch - fast precise and very very fit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1wst9VYz4&fea...
Epee is loosely based on the Rapier. Heavier and the whole body is the target area. Often slower paced matches and more tactical as both fencers can score at the same time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF2684mtchs
Sabreurs are just mental
You'll find all this out on your first session... enjoy!
Hobzy said:
Occasionally. Mainly if being hit by someone with poor technique, but sometimes the blade lands in a spot that doesnt allow it to bend - inside of elbow etc and smarts a bit. More of an issue with Epee though. Thankfully the foil flick hit has been effectively banned by rule changes - they used to really hurt if done badly.
what change have they made? have to admit haven't kept up with rules in last few years....going to start again this week 
foil is fun, but epee is proper.
Gretchen - it wont make any difference to teaching him but will make him harder to fence against cos there are less of em
[quote]
what change have they made? have to admit haven't kept up with rules in last few years....going to start again this week
foil is fun, but epee is proper.
[/quote]
Doofus will give you a better answer I suspect, but they have changed the timing on the box so the foil point must be depressed longer I believe. Happened during my time out for injury - was most nobbed off as I had just mastered it... came back and hand to fence properly
Still, my maraging Epee does a lovely flick to wrist so not all is lost.
To be fair the changes were needed - it was getting silly at competitions with arms flailing all over the place. It was lovely to watch or fence someone who flicked well, but painful and frustrating to fence those who used it with no panache or finesse. All you had to do was have the balls to step in (if you timed it right.)
what change have they made? have to admit haven't kept up with rules in last few years....going to start again this week
foil is fun, but epee is proper.
[/quote]
Doofus will give you a better answer I suspect, but they have changed the timing on the box so the foil point must be depressed longer I believe. Happened during my time out for injury - was most nobbed off as I had just mastered it... came back and hand to fence properly
Still, my maraging Epee does a lovely flick to wrist so not all is lost.To be fair the changes were needed - it was getting silly at competitions with arms flailing all over the place. It was lovely to watch or fence someone who flicked well, but painful and frustrating to fence those who used it with no panache or finesse. All you had to do was have the balls to step in (if you timed it right.)
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