There are 3 weapons used in fencing the Foil, Epee and Sabre.

Foil

Descended from the 18th century smallsword, the foil has a thin, flexible blade with a square cross-section & a small guard. Hits are scored with the point only on the torso of the opponent. The Foil has the smallest target area of the three weapons so precision & a strong defence are crucial. As with sabre hits are awarded according to which competitor has the "right of way" or "priority" when the hit is made.

Epee

The Epee is a direct descendant of the duelling sword, and epee fencing is probably the closest thing in the modern sport to actual duelling. An epee has a slightly heavier blade than the foil, and has a larger guard, needed because the hand is part of the target. Indeed there are no target restrictions at all in epee, you are allowed to hit any part of the body. Also there is no concept of “priority”. The first fencer to score a hit gets the point. If both fencers hit at the same time (with in 1/25th of a second) they both get a point. Epee is the weapon used in the Modern Pentathlon sport.

Sabre

The cavalryman's weapon of choice. Designed to remove the top of an enemy's skull while at the gallop on the back of your horse. The Sabre was originally a heavy weapon with a large curved blade. Modern notions of safety have reduced this to a thin, straight, flexible strip of metal. However the distinctive curved guard is still present. Like the foil the sabre has a restricted target area, though in this case it is anywhere above the waist. Also like the foil it has the concept of priority with attacks. The sabre is unique in the modern sport in that it is a slashing weapon, so that you can score hits with the edge of the blade as well as the point.

Weapon repair information

Buying equipment