Thread: Ask/tell me about fencing.

Are you any good at it?

Originally Posted by Fableflame

Are you any good at it?

I consider myself OK, i dont have a letter rating, but ive been playing for about a year now.

i would love to take up fencing one day. it sounds good.

I took up fencing for a while. There were three classes. The beginners, intermediate, and expert. I was good enough to destroy everyone in the beginners, but the instructor told me that the intermediate kids had been doing it for years and I wasn't good enough to move up.

After a while, we just started learning the same things over and over again, but it was fun while it lasted. I quit after things started repeating themselves.

I was best at the foil and sabre, didn't care for the épée.


Anyway, do you have your own equipment? How much did it cost, total?

Epee fencing is my favourite, it allows for the most freedom. I prefer the pistol grip, but can do with a french or gardere grip.

sabre has too many rules for me, so I hate it. I do kendo though, which is similar, but with far less rules.

I have my own stuff, it's not that expensive. Lets see, my sword was about $150, suit was about $80, mask was about $80. You can get swords for about $80, mine was more because it has the buzzer and ground built into it, I don't need to be wired Practice (non electric) ones are even cheaper.

Originally Posted by Grod

I took up fencing for a while. There were three classes. The beginners, intermediate, and expert. I was good enough to destroy everyone in the beginners, but the instructor told me that the intermediate kids had been doing it for years and I wasn't good enough to move up.

After a while, we just started learning the same things over and over again, but it was fun while it lasted. I quit after things started repeating themselves.

Anyway, do you have your own equipment? How much did it cost, total?

I havnt bought my equipment yet, but it can get pretty expensive. a very basic starter set can get up to around $125

As for the repetitiveness, I know exactly what you mean. I only find "freedom" to do what i want in the little bouts between classes, fun fun fun.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Epee fencing is my favourite, it allows for the most freedom. I prefer the pistol grip, but can do with a french or gardere grip.

sabre has too many rules for me, so I hate it. I do kendo though, which is similar, but with far less rules.

I have my own stuff, it's not that expensive. Lets see, my sword was about $150, suit was about $80, mask was about $80. You can get swords for about $80, mine was more because it has the buzzer and ground built into it, I don't need to be wired Practice (non electric) ones are even cheaper.

I like Epee as well, much more freedom.
"Not that expensive" can be pretty high for me.
I'm just building my set up slowly, taking my time.

Whats kendo like? compared to fencing anyways, I've seen the video of "fencing vs kendo" but that didn't really tell me much.
More info about kendo please?

kendo vs fencing is stupid, the rule sets are totally different. I don't do kendo, I just do a style of swordfighting very similar. the way that I teach it is that you have to get a kill shot for it to count, and you can use hand to hand techniques if you wish.

Bump? :3

Bawmp, setting up for a tournament today, going to it tomorrow. I might be able to win a D, if I make it through 5 direct eliminations.

Fencing is really badass. I like it.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Yes, thank you. I won one DE and lost my second, I couldn't defend against his stop/armhits. Better than my first tourny~

Fencing is for wimps. Try a real sword fight.

Originally Posted by Michael

Fencing is for wimps. Try a real sword fight.

I like my eyeballs in their sockets and my bruises minimal, thanks
Though last week, I did play around with a mock rapier and dagger, which was awesome~

Fencing is for wimps. Try a real gunfight.

Gun fights are too bloody, try paint ball.

I really, really want to get into fencing. Once I get more in shape I'm gonna look for a class around here.
I first saw it on Smallville and I fell in love with it.

This question isn't for me, but for any folks wanting to get into the sport:

How often do you get beaten when you just start out?

Originally Posted by guitarboy

Gun fights are too bloody, try paint ball.

Me <3 pain.

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

How often do you get beaten when you just start out?

It depends.
If you've got good strong arms, and have played soccer for the last 10 years, I guarantee you you'll be a better than usual student. Practice of course also makes a difference.
It is grueling work. You will be tired if you're doing it right.

For me, I was always against people my own level, we were just flailing foils at each other. It was hardly fencing, but about half/half.

Originally Posted by Elis D.

I really, really want to get into fencing. Once I get more in shape I'm gonna look for a class around here.
I first saw it on Smallville and I fell in love with it.

Awesome! It's great excersize for almost all of the body. :]
Link to Smallville scene?

I have no clue. Lex Luthor would fence in his mansion like 4-5 times a season.

another bump

old thread

my fencing is dying. ask me questions, and if you fence, let me ask you questions.

I have never actually encountered western fencing myself. Or I have seen it and been in demonstrations, but I have never studied the style. Do you only move in single line forward and backwards? Are no sidesteps allowed at all or do you train them but not use in competitions? I must admit my my knowledge is little shallow... I have only studied kenjutsu which is far more straightforward. It even allows punches, kicks and disarms