Fencing- what weapon is the most fun?

[gamblore99]

cardo,
thanks for the help. You've narrowed it down to Foil and Saber. Your description of foil is definitely the best for me, though you made saber sound way cooler. If I were to train with a saber as opposed to a foil, do you think I would develop faster reflexes/more athletic ability?

[Shenlong]

I dunno. The epee sounds pretty awesome, what with the whole hitting people behind your back kind of thing.

[Anacardo]

Gamblore,

I don't find fencing to be all that great in terms of developing overall fitness. For everything above the waist, the muscle and nerve training your body receives is very specific and asymmetrical. You'll definitely strengthen your glutes, thighs and calves. Also, I do believe that the more intense pace of saber makes higher demands on your footwork than foil. But, really, you should be hitting the gym and doing footwork-only practice in addition to bouting and weapon drills, no matter which weapon you fence.

[gamblore99]

ya I don't expect much in terms of a workout, I plan to get that elsewhere for the most part, though I am kind of hoping to get some better reflexes/speed with my attacking arm. This is something I always wanted to improve, and was one of the reasons that encouraged me fence.

[gurgeh]

[ QUOTE ]
Gamblore,

I don't find fencing to be all that great in terms of developing overall fitness. For everything above the waist, the muscle and nerve training your body receives is very specific and asymmetrical. You'll definitely strengthen your glutes, thighs and calves. Also, I do believe that the more intense pace of saber makes higher demands on your footwork than foil. But, really, you should be hitting the gym and doing footwork-only practice in addition to bouting and weapon drills, no matter which weapon you fence.

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You can also do some training with the opposite hand to balance things out a little. I had one coach who said you should be good enough with your off hand to practice against your teammates with it, and that should take care of some of the assymetry.

I felt like a 'tard the few times I tried it, though.

[Warik]

Saber and it's not even close. I started off with Foil and moved on to Saber as soon as I was allowed to, which was about 6 weeks later.

The target area is larger and there are no off target attacks in Saber, which greatly slow down Foil bouts. The action is much faster in Saber and lots more fun IMO. You can also attack by slashing as opposed to only thrusting.

As for Epee, I hate it. I cannot watch an Epee bout, even a 5-pointer. I doze off. If you go with Epee, work out your calves a lot because you will spend most of the bout hopping back and forth. Yes, it requires a lot more precision, patience, and expertise with point work, but it is just so damn boring.

Once you stop counterattacking and being attacked in preparation in Saber (which will definitely happen to you for a few weeks unless you have an awesome coach or are a natural born master swordsman), you will love it.

The only downside I see to Saber is that electric equipment costs more, but at least you don't need to bring a damn toolkit and 5 spare weapons to an tournament like this Epee dude in my club does.

Saber Saber Saber Saber Saber Saber Saber Saber

[Anacardo]

Warik -

I have an awesome counterattack. I daresay it's my best touch.
Stop counterattacking? You must be mad.

Man. This thread gets me fired up. OOT Cup? 45-touch three-weapon relays for all!

[Anacardo]

Oh, ALSO -

Warik brings up an excellent point in favor of a saber concentration - Saber equipment is expensive to start with, but v v v easy to maintain. An eight-year-old could construct a working electric saber from parts. There's no tip, no springs, no tiny screws, no careful weight adjustments. I find this joyous. On the other hand, as previously mentioned, the directing (refereeing) in saber tournaments is by far the worst of the three weapons on average. The actions are a bit complicated to make out to begin with to the untrained eye, and directeurs tend to come from foil, so their eye for timing isn't nearly what it should be. Prepare to get jobbed often.

[Warik]

[ QUOTE ]
I have an awesome counterattack. I daresay it's my best touch.
Stop counterattacking? You must be mad.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apologies - maybe I shouldn't be more clear. I meant counterattacking into an opponents valid attack, which is what I did forever until somebody finally explained the call to me in terms that someone who hasn't been fencing for years could understand.

A counterattack after an opponents failed attack is teh pwn.

[Anacardo]

[ QUOTE ]
As for Epee, I hate it. I cannot watch an Epee bout, even a 5-pointer. I doze off. If you go with Epee, work out your calves a lot because you will spend most of the bout hopping back and forth. Yes, it requires a lot more precision, patience, and expertise with point work, but it is just so damn boring.


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Low-level epee is like this. High-level epee is brilliantly athletic and a pleasure to watch.