A Bit About Blades

Blades - Another topic that is very much influenced by personal preferences.

This is mainly going to be about foil blades (because we are mainly a foil club!), but many of the same points apply to Epee and possibly to a lesser extent Sabre.

Blade stiffness or flexibility is really the only "fencing preference" option you have to consider when you buy a blade. For standard blades this isn’t always a choice you can make if you aren’t buying in person. Standard blades tend to be a little more variable and manufacturers spend less time and effort in quality control and grading of individual blades, so unless you can get the blade in your hands at a trade stand or a shop and give it a flex and a wiggle, you won’t know what you’re getting until can get hold of it. FIE blades however, are often given a grading and sold as being firm/stiff, medium or flexible. Sometimes each type will be sold as a different named blade type (LP Apex vs Apex II) or the firmness may be an option to select (Blaise Frères [BF] D and M). In some cases, the blade forge may be known to produce blades of a particular style e.g Vniti blades tend to be firm and robust. No matter what blade you start out with, all blades are a consumable, disposable items and they will all gradually soften, become more pliable and eventually break with repeated use.

Blade ‘set’ is also strongly an individual preference, but that’s something you can adjust after purchase if you aren’t 100% happy with it. Blade ‘set’ refers to how the grip is angled, by the bend at the tang relative to the blade. This is opposite for left and right handers and the degree of set can be varied depending on fencer preference.

FIE maraging blades vs Standard carbon steel blades.

FIE rated blades are required for high level & international competition and are made of a more complex steel alloy called maraging steel. Non-FIE blades are made from a cheaper carbon steel. Standard carbon steel blades will reach a point of failure much more quickly than maraging blades (although exactly when this happens will vary.) We will consider 2 cases to give you an idea of the differences.

Scenario 1 (the competitive intermediate/advanced fencer) Training at least 2 sessions a week, taking lessons, and competing regularly through a season, (perhaps 5-10 events a year)

Scenario 2 (the club fencer) Training one session a week perhaps a lesson every so often and 1 or 2 competitions in a year.

For Scenario 1, an FIE blade will probably last you 9-12 months, while a standard blade might only last 6-12 weeks.

For Scenario 2, an FIE blade may last 2-3 years or even more, while a standard blade perhaps 9-12+ months depending on your fencing style.

FIE blades from almost any supplier in the UK will now cost you over £100 (but less than £200)

Standard blades can be had for as little as £20-£25 up to perhaps £40-60 for more recognised brands who may have higher quality control standards(?)

Anecdotally, based on a couple of us who have played about with different blades over the years, if you are even getting close to Scenario 2 then an FIE blade will end up being more cost effective in the long run. If you are a new fencer and firmly in scenario 1 then a standard blade will be perfect for you and a significantly smaller investment!
Remember you need to have 2 (minimum) and ideally 3 or more working 😊🤺 weapons available at a competition (even an age group or regional open).