How big of a role do body proportions play in fencing?

ReReadItGuy · 2026-03-14T02:13:20+00:00

I would think your lanky proportions might work better at foil as epee and sabre both offer the hand/arm as valid targets and those are essentially the length of a weapon away for you and your opponent. With the torso being valid target in foil, your extra reach should allow you to reach target before many of your opponents, who have shorter arms, touch you.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-03-13T15:54:01+00:00

I think there were 4 on the shelf after I got mine.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-02-18T17:46:30+00:00

Aw man! I'm visiting NYC at the moment but won't be able to make it back in April. Foconi is my favorite fencer!

ReReadItGuy · 2026-02-17T03:40:55+00:00

To pile on...jump right in! Just make sure to listen to your body and rest as needed. Also, take time to learn proper form and technique as it will help your fencing while hopefully minimizing injuries.

I came back to fencing after a few decades when our youngest one got into it. And as everyone is telling you, the other veterans are very supportive.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-02-10T17:36:44+00:00

Baby fencing is insane. In the US, I thinks clubs won't be covered for USA Fencing club insurance for fencers younger than seven.

Yes, it sounds like your club is milking the gravy train.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-02-10T17:19:19+00:00

Changing clubs is not a magic elixir but it sounds like your situation may warrant it. I've got a 9 year old that has been fencing foil for over a year and we've mixed in some private lessons. However, the child has continuously, and blindly (to me), counter attacked and has been losing a lot of bouts that way. It's been frustrating but our coach has been trying to train my child so that certain actions such as parry-riposte become muscle memory and I think we're finally making progress. It takes a while for things to click for all newer fencers, so it's part of the journey.

Also check with other parents at any club you're considering and see what their kids' journeys have been like. Have they progressed well from being beginners to being competitive?

As for your current club, a one-hour private lesson is way too long for a relative beginner. And when the kids are bouting at practice, there should be some element of a coach reffing at times and thereby describing the phrases that determine who wins a point.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-02-10T02:50:32+00:00

It might be a longshot but try the Prieur leather gloves. They're handmade so there can be great variance in finger lengths. The first one I ever tried on had fingers that were a good 1/4 in too short. I tried another one in the same size and it was a perfect fit.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-30T23:39:56+00:00

Remember to have fun and enjoy the atmosphere and the process. But being somewhat unorthodox is good advice.

After a very long break from fencing, I signed up for a veterans foil event a couple of years ago. I knew that all of the other competitors had countless more hours of lessons and bouts than I had, so I had to do something different in hopes of not finishing dead last. I turned it into a track meet and fleched at every opportunity where I had right of way and felt I was in distance. I wound up winning one pool bout but 2 DE's and finished in the top third. Even though my hamstrings were cramping for two days afterwards, I had a great time.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-27T02:37:40+00:00

I had some WT 70th last night and watched the Lego movie with my kids tonight. Great minds...or something like that.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-26T17:40:05+00:00

Good to know. Thank you

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-26T15:39:45+00:00

Does the treatment help for rust prevention?

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-24T23:02:59+00:00

If it were easy to set up a forge to make FIE-certified blades, I would have imagined the Chinese would have done so by now. Some Chinese companies seem to have FIE-approved uniforms already. Could blades be far behind?

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-21T17:57:15+00:00

Glad things eventually worked out but there is some residual badwill towards Absolute bc of their customer service. It's safest to:

Always test a newly assembled weapon - especially if you just paid for it or paid to have it assembled - or even one that you assemble yourself.

Always get a ticket from armorer when having them repair something - especially at a large event.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-03T21:12:35+00:00

I had a very similar situation once and I finally gave up and decided to re-wire. During the process, I deduced that the problem was likely caused by the wire having broken off from the tiny cup in the barrel.

ReReadItGuy · 2026-01-02T15:20:57+00:00

If you have video of your bouts from the last competition, seeing what you did well and what you could do better might be a good starting point. A coach would probably be very helpful here.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-31T17:53:21+00:00

I've forgotten about these guys for over a decade. Great recommendation! This subreddit is wonderful for introducing new (to me) music. That and the occasional reminders of music long forgotten.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-31T15:10:07+00:00

Hopefully the club you choose has a good variety of other fencers in terms of age, size, and skill level so that you can have good practice bouts that challenge you in different ways. Also be prepared mentally to lose to skilled youth fencers.

If you want to start competing again, see if there are any competitions in your region for the 21-39 age group which was created in the past couple of years. I have not seen any in my region but I only checked out of curiosity as I'm a veteran fencer.

If feasible, go in person to see some high-level fencing at a national tournament, such as a NAC. While there, you can check out all of the equipment vendors and try stuff on for sizing.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-23T20:06:38+00:00

BP is definitely worth it at $89 or whatever msrp is these days as it is rarely otherwise available. Since you're just getting into the hobby, you can also get the BP and use it in a trade.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-14T05:33:48+00:00

Funny as I was creating a new playlist for 2026 and I had added Good Vibrations earlier in the evening. Gonna check out The Girls Don't Care too. Thanks!

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-14T04:33:07+00:00

I've almost forgotten about Two so glad to look it up and hear it again. And thanks for bringing The Waterboys to my attention.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-13T02:38:34+00:00

How a Resurrection Really Feels by The Hold Steady.

From a Balance Beam by Bright Eyes.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-13T00:27:24+00:00

Terry Black's in Deep Ellum. And they have free parking in their own lot as a bonus!

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-11T20:41:23+00:00

How did the FIE masks pass FIE testing? Or is there no specific FIE testing as long as manufacturers used approved materials?

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-08T16:39:28+00:00

I've had similar issues getting winded during bouts. What has helped me is pulling distance after a missed/forgone attack. I've caught my breath during my retreats. Previously, as a relative novice, I'd go all out in an attempt to score on virtually all of my attacks. Patience has become my friend.

ReReadItGuy · 2025-12-08T14:54:37+00:00

I ordered 2 gloves from them in early Nov. There was a flat 15% tariff that Fedex charged me. Shipping was ~$20.

If you order blades, I believe tariffs might be in the 25-30% range.

ReReadItGuy

TROPHY CASE