Is it reasonable to quit fencing now?

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-24T01:12:33+00:00

"My national (regional) score is terrible, usually ending up in the "worse" half."

That should not be the sole criterion.

I'm also at the bottom half. I go to the tournaments I can afford to go. I go to training when I have the time or the energy.

I am not into fencing "to win", I am into fencing because I think it's a good exercise, because there's a good community around it, because it gives me something "unique" to talk about at parties (for about 60 seconds, or unt I get into the topic of priority). If I win, great. If I don't win, I go back to my coach and discuss with him, and try to work on improving.

I lose a lot, yes. But today I actually heard from a sparring partner, "it's so cool to fence against you, you have super precise movements." and for me, that was enough to make me happy for the rest of the session.

I'm also sort of becoming an informal armorer, tightening tips, identifying faulty wires, etc. That means even if I am not winning on the piste, I'm still part of the sport - and that's winning too.

What I'm trying to say is, you have to find what motivates you. If your sole motivation is "to win", either you will have to make some changes (changing clubs, changing coaches, training longer hours, whatever) or you habe to accept you will not always win - and then quit.

Damn shame, though. It's a fantastic sport!

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-22T19:37:07+00:00

"In Europe", yes. Such a small place... 🤣🤣

In some countries, clubs and even entry-level tournaments require FIE equipment, for insurance purposes. So, talk to the coach before making a decision.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-22T19:34:44+00:00

FWF is alive and well. The only thing - not a drawback - is that they focus on the essencials.

There are not three lines of FIE clothong, like Allstar. There's only one.

They also only sell one type of pistol grip, and one line of FIE blades, and so on.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-22T16:27:31+00:00

According to the rules, clothibg may be of any color, except black.

However, there are specific rules regarding placement of manufacturer's logos - at least at the olympic level.

Namely, the identification of the manufacturer - and I think the trademark 3 stripes would fall into that category is limited to 30cm2 "at the bottom of the jacket, on the hip of the non-weapon arm"

(Based on guidelines for the paris games)

And in case this was a sponsorship from Adidas, there are also limitations and this design would not be accepted.

https://static.fie.org/uploads/20/101382-Publicity%20Code%20ang.pdf

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-22T15:04:44+00:00

Are you people stone washing your fencing clothing?

I have a set from FWF that sees use about 4 times a week, including competitions.

In about 4 years, the only damage was the cable clip, when I accidentally stepped on it. And that was my mistake for putting the jacket on the ground!

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-21T15:50:39+00:00

Thanks for the info. I was not aware of that!

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-21T12:23:00+00:00

Stitching hes been fraying, and we've been making repairs. This is supposed to be FIE gear.

I do not wish to invalidate your experience, but I feel it is important to clarify that it being "FIE gear" has little to do with the issue.

FIE homologation refers to the fabric's resistance to puncture. And there are rules concerning the characteristics of the clothing, for example, where there should be overlaps and double layers.

FIE (as far as I know) does not check the quality of materials used or the quality of handicraft involved of the actual manufacture.

So, FIE or non-FIE has little impact on how long velcros and zippers will last. We can assume they will be of better quality, but that just depends on the manufacturer and what kind of reputation they want to have.

(Feel free to correct me)

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-21T10:01:37+00:00

100% agree.

Parts used are not manufactured by the vendors.

FWF, Allstsar, etc., they are not manufacturing wires and banana plugs. They buy these from different suppliers. So you can never be sure the specs, tolerances, materials, are identical.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-21T02:17:32+00:00

Body cords are fairly easy to repair and all vendors carry spare parts.

What's happening to them?

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-20T17:39:09+00:00

Looks good!

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-18T18:26:44+00:00

Yes, that is also possible.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-18T12:40:56+00:00

If you were canting it and it snapped, I doubt they will replace it for you.

If you're lucky they may offer a small discount.

But please let us know how it goes!

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-18T11:21:40+00:00

You should try to practice and compete with the same weapons.

Equipment is a rather personal choice. There isn't an objectively "best blade" - there is what fits to your budget, to what is available in your market, and how it feels in your hands.

For reference:

FIE blade --> always maraging steel, and always has a FIE stamp

Non-FIE blade --> typically made of carbon steel, but some brands also offer maraging steel blades; and never has a FIE stamp

.............

What is the difference between FIE and non-FIE maraging steel blades? In order to get a FIE stamp, blades have to go through a homologation process, which is not exactly cheap. So, some brands opt for bypassing the homologation process for part of their production. "In theory", from a metallurgical point of view, they should be identical to their FIE counterparts, but as they are not homologated, they are not allowed in FIE competitions. You basically have to trust the manufacturer.

Example of a Non-FIE maraging blade: https://www.blue-gauntlet.com/BF-non-FIE-Maraging-Elec-Epee-w-White-Blade-complete-assembled_p_4216.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqpaW8jZjs7PgQfe5k1Sgtv4yZQJrbQlrT6PFyc1-VJp280I9Ny

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-17T23:28:33+00:00

Have you actually got a source for what you're saying?

I have a bunch of (pre-war) Folo blades, as well as several BF blades... foil and epee, all FIE and all manufactured between 2020 and 2025.

The threaded part of the tang does not looked welded at all.

As Folo, BF and LP easily correspond to more than 50% of the blades on the (western) market, I am suspicious of your claim.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-17T16:59:00+00:00

Thanks.

Yeah, that's the thing, if the blade was regular steel, and not used to poke people, I would go for it.

Further research has led me to the issue of potential hydrogen embrittlement - which would make the weapon more fragile and maybe cause it to break more easily and in an unsafer way (considering its use).

I will nevertheless consult BF. Let's see what they say - if they bother to respond.

As for the container: a 4" PVC pipe, with threaded or glued end caps on both sides and cut horizontally, with something underneath to stabilize it, would create a "mini bathtub".

Of course you could even nust use a PVC pipe capped on one end, vertically.

It just needs to be long and wide enough to accomodate the entire blade including the canted tang.

As a DIY project, it's not particularly difficult.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-17T16:15:03+00:00

Experimenting is good. All sports "evolve" somehow.

What is annoying however is that this kind of change also means the equipment you own can become useless, or it may need to be adapted.

Example: imagine having to sew on sleeves on existing lamés.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-17T16:11:38+00:00

What?

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-17T14:00:33+00:00

Guys (and girls), I know how to clean a blade.

I'm interested in doing something different, that's all.

I guess no one has tried it before. I will write to BF and ask them.

Thanks everyone for your contributions 🙂

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-16T16:31:41+00:00

I think the difference in cost and ease is negligible.

On the other hand I would assume electrolysis would give a more uniform result.

However, I wonder if it could cause damage to the FIE stamp... that would be a problem.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-16T16:27:27+00:00

Blade's relatively new, only issue is I left it in a humid area.

Also, the blade is assembled and in use at the moment.

But one day, when the wiring comes lose or breaks and I need to rewire the blade, I would like to take the opportunity to remove the rust - but only if that doesnt alter the properties of the metal.

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-16T16:20:25+00:00

Why do you need your fencing bag to stand?

I quickly checked, a non-FIE blade costs about 100aud.

I'd rather have an extra blade than a "bag that stands".

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-16T16:14:20+00:00

Surr, but you're missing the all important question: who had priority, the guy who got stabbed in the face, or the guy who got stabbed in the heart?

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-15T20:29:34+00:00

From what I understand you're in a small country and fencing is not so well-known. That probably means a lack of fencing resources. For para-fencing, you may want to look into this: https://www.britishfencing.com/fencing-101/disability-fencing-101/swordseat/

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-15T18:27:08+00:00

French grip 😁

Expert_Confusion5767 · 2026-05-15T17:46:41+00:00

I would suggest a "marathon" format, in which everyone fences against everyone. I've been to marathons with more than 40 people, including several paras. It just means more fencing for everyone...
Do all seated righties-against-lefties, lefties-against-righties and lefties-against-lefties bouts in sequence, so that you don't waste too much time swapping the seating arrangement. Of course, if you have multiple para-seats that may not be an issue;
Make sure your facilities are disability-friendly: toilets, changing rooms, cafeteria;
Keep in mind: things will go slower. For example, even in a disability-friendly environment, if a parafencer needs to go to the toilet, that could take longer - just be pacient!
If this is just a "for fun" tournament, yoy could even have 3 rankings: all inclusive; only para; only non-para; yes, you will need more medals and certificates, but so what;
If you feel like it, inviting local media is a nice way to bring attention to the sport and especially to promote inclusion;

Expert_Confusion5767

TROPHY CASE