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The West Lafayette Fencing Club fences all three weapons:
EPEE, FOIL, and SABRE'
(Links go to YouTube)
Foil: London Olympics 2012
The foil is a light thrusting weapon where fencers utilize a healthy balance of technique and speed. Combining all the essential elements of fencing, foil is the perfect style for beginners.A light, flexible weapon with which only thrusts with the point of the weapon to the opponent's trunk of body count as valid hits.
Hits count on the abdomen, chest and back but not on the the arms, legs and head. Points are scored by the fencer who hits the target area and has "right of attack".The History of the Foil
The practice weapon for the small-sword, evolved in the late seventeenth century, when cutting became an obsolete action, and accordingly, a flat blade was no longer required for training. The word is derived from the French "refouler," to turn back.
The foil has been the dominant factor in the development of modern fencing - precise, formal and elegant.
Epee: London Olympics 2012
Utilizing mind games and patience, technique is the key to victory in épée. The épée itself is a heavy thrusting weapon. Valid hits can be scored with the point of the weapon on any part of the opponent's body, including the head. Points are scored by being the first to hit anywhere, anyhow, anytime, just FIRST!
A development of the duelling rapier, this weapon is used in the Modern Pentathlon.
The History of the Epee
The dueling sword evolved during the nineteenth century when the small-sword had ceased to be worn. It is the same length as the foil and sabre, but the blade is much stouter than that of the foil and is triangular in section. As the target includes the whole body, the guard is constructed in the characteristic cup shape to protect the hand and wrist. As the arm forms an advanced target, the fencing measure is much longer than that at foil - approximating in fact to the sabre measure - and the vulnerability of the sword-arm tends to restrict the positions and parries to the outside lines. Nevertheless, the basic epee technique is very similar to that of foil, only modified by the tactical considerations dictated by the longer fencing measure, the unrestricted target and the absence of conventions, i.e. right of way.
Originally, the idea was to reproduce as closely as possible the conditions of an actual duel and consequently the first fencer to receive a hit was adjudged the loser.
Sabre': London Olympics 2012
A lighter, more flexible version of the military sabre and hits can be scored by using edge 'cuts' or point thrusts. Only, hits scored on the opponent's body above the waist, arm and head count as valid.Points are scored by the fencer who hits the target area and has "right of attack".
The History of the Sabre'
The first mention of the sabre in print was in 1686. Originally the heavy, curved, weapon with which the Household Calvary is still equipped, it became known to western Europe during the eighteenth century as a result of contact with the Hungarian light horsemen (Hussars) who had themselves adopted the weapon from the Turks, among whom the blade was considerably more curved, forming, in fact, the weapon common to the eastern peoples which among us is generally called the scimitar.
In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the cavalry of all nations practiced sabre fencing and fighting.
The present day weapon is extremely light and hits may be scored not only with the fore-edge, but with the top third of the back edge and the point as well. The contemporary blade is perfectly straight. The curved, triangular guard, reminiscent of the old basket-hilt, is used to protect the whole hand and wrist.
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