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Fencing
This category is concerning fencing as a sport, not as in the things that mark boundaries. Only ask questions that concern fencing as a sport.
258 Questions
Is laminated steel the same as damascus steel?
No. Damascus steel is made by forging multiple layers of thin steel. The process involves a lot of heat and pressure, and the result is like a single piece of steel of high strength. The properties are generally better than what can be had by bonding multiple layers together in a lamination.
The superior strengh of damascus steel is produced by two layers of steel with different properties and forging them together, once this is done forging is continued by folding the two steels over and forging them again. This is continued until the layers produced give it the qualities required.
Fold two pieces of paper you get 4 layers
fold 4 gives 8 fold agin 16 fold again 32 etc. This is possible with steel because of the forgig but couldn't be done with paper, try it.
Fencing is a sport of three different types, or styles of fighting: Saber, Epee, and Foil. These three different styles have different target areas, rules, and ways of getting a touch (a point).
Saber:
Target Area: The torso, mask, and arms.
Way of Scoring: You can get a touch by slashing your weapon on your opponent.
Weapon: A saber sword is usually the sword you see in movies or plays. It has a bellguard, which curves around to connect to the grip.
Epee:
Target Area: The whole body, and yes, including the shoes.
Way of Scoring: You can get a touch by stabbing your opponent.
Weapon: An epee sword is noticeably heavier than any other sword. It is basically a saber sword, with a larger bellguard and, of course, heavier.
Foil:
Target Area: The torso, excluding the arms and mask.
Way of Scoring: You can get a touch by stabbing your opponent.
Weapon: A foil blade is just a bell guard and grip. If you can imagine a sword (with a fencing blade), and a bell guard instead of the hilt, this is a close image of a foil sword. The grip can either be a pistol grip or french grip. This is the weapon I favor, and my personal favorite weapon is a Belgian-grip Foil.
The official language of the sport of fencing is French, and many of its roots are in France, so yes, you could call it French.
What type of swords were used during the revolution?
Bayonettes. Sword-gun hybrids. Shoot from far away, stab up close.
Have there been rule changes in fencing?
Yes, there have been many. For example, before the introduction of the electric scoring machine, there was only 'dry' fencing. There were multiple directors to ensure that no touches would be missed, and the 'honor system' was used. However, it was soon proved much more beneficial to use an electric system, where the blades are connected to bodycords, which are subsequently connected to the lame's(in Sabre and foil), and also connected to a reel, which registers touches on a scoring machine. With this machine, fencers had to adapt to different timing in attacks, as well as the 500milligram minimum weight required for the scoring light to go off.
A recent example of a rather significant rule change is that foilists are now required to wear electric bibs. The bibs on a foil mask are thought to be covering target area, and are now being electrified. This rule will take effect starting in the 2009 Senior world cup.
Are there any specific rule changes you're looking for?
Why do they say en guard in fencing?
En garde is actually a call made by the referee of a bout to get into fighting stance before combat. en garde is french for on guard.
Sabre-like swords have been used in Eastern Europe since the medieval period. The modern sabre was introduced in Western Europe in the 17th century.
A Sabre is a sword.
Cavalry used to use them in battle, now ceremonial,
