Fencing Swords

Fencing is a sport consisting of armed combat. It features in modern Olympics too. Fencing can include swords, knives, batons, clubs and other similar weapons. Fencing swords are the weapons used in Fencing.

There are three types of weapons or swords used in fencing. They are-

* Epee: It is a heavy thrusting weapon which can be struck at the opponent on any part of his body. Double touches are permitted while using Epee as a fencing weapon.

* Foil: It is a light thrusting weapon and its valid target for striking the opponent is restricted to the torso. Double touches are not allowed while using a Foil as a fencing weapon.

* Sabre: It is pronounces as saver. This is a light cutting and thrusting weapon. The valid target for striking includes everything above the waist except the back of the head and the hands. Double touches are not allowed while using Saber as a fencing weapon.

If you are a professional fencer then you may want to use competition fencing swords. Practice fencing swords are used by practitioners or the fencing sport or Classical fencers.

The fencing swords used in the 19th century in competitions was heavy cavalry-style sabre. However in the early 20th century more modern, light weight and faster weapons were used in competitions.

The fencing swords differ in shapes and purpose depending on its use by the fencers, but its basic construction remains the same. Every fencing weapon has a blade and a hilt. The tip of the blade is called the point. The hilt has a guard and a grip. The guard, also known as the coquille, the bell or the bellguard is a metal shell designed to protect the fingers of the fencers.

The grip is actually the handle of the weapon and the guard is designed just for protecting the fingers. There are many variations of fencing swords but the most popular one is the sword with a pommel (a heavyweight nut that placed at the end of the blade).

Foils and Epees have been replaced by modern fencing swords which can be gripped like a pistol. Hence these new weapons are called as pistol grip. These weapons are much efficient as they have a better grip and are light weight. All modern fencing weapons used in competitions have electrical wiring which helps in registering the number of touches on the opponent.