Any fencers here?

snorlax

not 100% sure where to put this but this forum seemed the most relevant.

just wondering if anyone here fences competively? is so which weapon do you use and how long have you beeng training for? myself i v trained in the foil since October and am just starting to learn the sabre.

Pro. F

Hey snorlax,
I did fencing for the nine months while i was studying in UU Coleraine (2004/2005).
Tis a great sport. imo a top martial art sport for fun, injury free & opportunities to compete.
i started on the foil and after a while, because i'm tall(ish), went on to the epee. i entered two comps while i was there. one open tournament in Derry and the Intervarsities, which were in UCD.
i entered the sabre event in the intervarsities to make up the team numbers (without ever training in sabre :cool: ..:D ) and, in my first fight, immediately got a yellow card (is that the first offence card?) for fleching! followed by a red :eek: :eek: for the same offence again, D'oh! but managed to restrain myself from doing it again so i didn't get a disqualified.
But epee was always my favorite, i like the lack of rules!!!

Do you train in a university or a club?

Musashi

Looks fun though!

http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/scholadays/fight/featuredfights/xmaslongsword05.wmv

snorlax

i'v been training on foil for nearly three months and fought in the team foil competition with loads of other colleges/ clubs (im in tcd), i'm preparing to fence for the interversaties in Queens on the 17th Feburary, ill be fencing with the sabre which i'v only been a few weeks on but already i think it's great fun as it's more of a proper sword and there's less rules around who has the right of way which would drive you mad with the foil.

you do pick up the odd few bruises namely from begineers and at competitions when people tend to go ot. but there's so many competitions to fence in it's great and such an adrenalin buzz as everyone has a different style so you somehow have to figure out how to outwit them each time as the same techniques don't work on everyone. am looking forward to giving epee a try when i get a chance too.

pearsquasher

My dear aul mother was a fencer for years in Dublin and thats where she met her husband (my stepfather) too. I used to watch matches every now and then and it was indeed facinating. Nice to see some talk of other martial diciplines here besides the usual stuff. This place is getting a little :rolleyes:

I must ask her what style she used. I do know she was on the Irish Olympic squad at one point, but i don't think they ever stood a chance against the French, Russians, Italians etc.

columok

This place is getting a little

??? Finish your sentence? I presume the ending was snide.

Snorlax,

could you explain (briefly ) the difference between sabre, epee and foil? Had a lot of friends who fenced a lot in university and they always seemed to really enjoy it. The smelly white helmets were never liked though

Colum

okidoki987

Ah the memories

Used to fence in Salle D'arms Duffy in Sandymount many years ago.
Is is still going?

The only problem was the number of people who used to go "FENCING?"
when you were asked what sports did you play.

ninjawitatitude

Hey Colum,

columok wrote:

could you explain... the difference between sabre, epee and foil?

There is a saying in fencing, "Foil fencers talk about the techniques of fencing, Epee fencers talk about the esoterics of fencing. And Sabre fencers talk about themselves" LOL:D

Very basically, a foil is modelled on a duelling sword that had had it's lethal areas covered, and it's targets are torso and head. The Epee is modelled on the rapier and it has no illegal targets. And the Sabre, is loosley based on the arabian schimitar or the cavalry sabre, and it's targets are above the waist.

Hope this helps

pearsquasher

okidoki987 .

. Salle D'arms Duffy? Thats where my mother fenced for 7 years about 15 years ago now. She'd have been the one making eyes at the English chappy with glasses..:p I believe she was a foiler.

okidoki987

Do you know is it still going and I presume the "Prof" is long gone?

snorlax

foil bends and is mid way between a defensive and offensive weapon, most begineers train on it and it's quite light it also bends and gives you circular bruises.

Epee (most defensive weapon) doesnt bend and there is not right of way unlike foil, so it's whoever hits first. also anywhere is a target including feet, hands, helmet, wrist. Epee tends to hurt as it doesn't bend as much as foil.

Sabre (what im doing) is the most offensive weapon, right of way is gained by straightening the arm. it's super fast and relies on reflexes and is probably the most sword like of all of them (also used by warriors on horses). anywhere above the waist is a target including the helmet.

the Salle D'Armes Duffy Epee competition was hosted in tcd last saturday and sunday and we had teams from all over europe competing, the standard was world class. the wine reception after was pretty good too.:)

columok

Snorlax, ninjawitattitude

Thanks for the info.

Since the sabre is heavier does it tend to hurt more? Do you attack with the blade or just the point or both?

Pro. F

columok wrote:

Since the sabre is heavier does it tend to hurt more? Do you attack with the blade or just the point or both?

You can attack with blade or point.. so you can just lash out and hope something connects:p . a good strike with the blade can leave a sharp red mark/bruise/cut across your arm or back. the guys who are good get a real flicking motion into there strikes that stings. i don't think they actually intend to hurt it's just the speed and angle of the technique.

Musashi

I've heard sort of whispered rumours about certain German? schools of fencing where more than a few of the guys will have facial scars? Sounds like clandestine bouts with very relaxed safety rules, any idea what actually goes on there?


Snorlax, you should visit these guys if you don't already

kellxor.1337

I've been lookin for somebody to talk to fencing about for ages, I've always had an interest in the sport, I know most people in Ireland would laugh the sport off but i think it would be something different to try, I'm livin by heuston station and workin in crumlin, Anyone know where the nearest place to sign up is, I'm not in college now or anything so i'm guessin a college team is out of the question,

Kelly

Dave Joyce

Wow this is great seeing people talk about fencing. Have any of you guys seen/heard about the Cold Steel Challenge? Now straight up its mainly FMA practisioners from a whole plethora of different systems/styles that take part but I think some fencers also enter. Reason I ask is would there be any interest here in running a blade simulator meet/event in Ireland?? Format I would be thinking about would be similar to what the Dog Brothers do ie you pick an opponent from those present, no winner, no loser, use what you'ed prefer such as padded stick/aluminium trainer/fencing sword over a say 3 minute period with whatever rules you agree between the two. Any takers???

MaxBax

Lol, knife/blade/metal pointy thing nut. No offense.:o

snorlax

the Epee team from germany presented us with a renaissance Rapier sword ( that used to be used for initiation procedures for the luftwaffe, they gave scars on the cheek and people using them wore googles). the scars we're a sign of manhood, however if you had very few scars it meant you we're nearly unbeaten. there a few other clubs outside colleges, notably Pembroke and Salle d'Armes (two of the best ones).

the best swords in our club are a pair of foam sabres which are hilarious to use (especially against a Epeeist!)