The 3 weapons of fencing

 

Foil: Based on the court sword or the small sword, these weapons were developed for safe training. They are flexible and light, developed only for thrusting attacks. 'Dry' or non-electric weapons have the tip hammer flat and a rubber stopper fixed to the end for extra protection. Electric weapons have a grooved blade with a screw thread on the tip. A button tip is screwed on the end and a wire connecting the tip to a coupler behind the guard is glued into the grove in the blade. The fencer's body wire is then plugged into the coupler and allows the weapon to connect to the scoring equipment.

 

 

 

 

Epee: This is weapon is the exact practice equivalent of a dueling sword developed in the mid to late 18th century. The blade is heavier and stiffer than the foil, as it was not designed to penetrate deeply, only to draw blood. As with the foil, epees' exist as either dry or electric, with similar tip and electric scoring arrangements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sabre: This is a much lighter version of the military sabre, the sword employed by most armies since the later half of the 17th century. It is the only modern fencing weapon that employs a cutting edge. Because of this dry and electric blades are exactly the same. Sabre blades are flexible and light, and made to represent the design of the actual weapon. The cutting edges are flat and broad (comparatively) and the square tip is folded over for safety. When fencing sabre electrically the entire blade is electrified for scoring (at a safe level of course).