Well, fencing goes back to the 12th century where it started for the first time. It is said that even when it was first beginning the fencing sword was considered to be a part of the body or rather an extension of the body.
It is so essential to a fencer that they do not consider it to be just a sword. They are far more than pieces of metal.
If you have never fenced in your life then the sword will obviously look like just a sword to you. Just a piece of metal with a handle.
But however, a fencing sword is much more than just that. Each part of the sword has a name and each part has its specific function. Nothing is for show.
Everything has a reason for being there. The fencers are very detail-oriented about their weapons. The fencing sword can be called a piece of art developed over thousands of years in use.
The fencers know all the names and uses of the parts. That’s what makes them a true master of the kind. We will also be discussing the different parts of the sword.
The three different methods in fencing are – Epee, foil, and sabre. The basic parts of all of them are the same. We are going to discuss the different parts of a general fencing sword and its functions.
The fencing sword can be broken down into three parts. They are namely the grip, the guard, and the blade. This is the entire weapon.
They are the main parts, however, there are also helping parts of the sword which is additional in nature. But let’s not forget that they are what they are named h helping parts and not the main parts.
This means that the person or rather a fencer can do without the helping parts too. We will discuss these helping parts too for your sake in this article. So without any further ado let’s get right into it.
Main Parts of the Fencing Sword
As we have mentioned before, the main parts if the sword are the grip, the blade and the guard. Additional parts included the pommel, pad, point and socket. We will be looking into the main parts of the fencing sword here.
1. The Grip
This is Where the fencer is going to hold the sword. It is designed for maximum comfort and gripping strength. It is the place where the fencer and the sword becomes one.
The different materials are used for designing the grip and of specific shape. Each fencer have their own preferred style. They can also be personalized according to the wishes of the fencer.
There are different styles of grip developed over the period of time but only two are allowed in case of the sport fencing. They are defined and described below –
French grip
The French grip is straight or curved. There is a flexibility offered by the swords French grip. While competition, Epee fencers usually choose this style of grip.
The French grip is also available in different types and styles. The fencers opt for a style that is suitable to their fencing style.
Pistol grip
From the name you might have guessed a little bit about its shape. It has a shaft coming out from the main shaft or the grip.
They can control the blade and make stronger movements with such type of grip.They can be a bit difficult to use since the hand is locked in one position.
Still fencers choose to customize their pistol grip too in order to make sure that they have a good grip and a comfortable position too.
Some people also prefer the standard pistol grip to fit in with their fencing style. All foilists use this grip.
2. The Guard
The guard as the name suggests is there to guard the fencers hand. It is a curved piece of metal that goes around the blade. The size of the bell guard can differ from blade to blade.
Actually it does differ from blade to blade. Foil has smaller bell guard and Epee has larger guard.
The sabre has knuckle guards that wrap around the fingers of the fencer. Just like everything fencers often get to choose a preferred style.
3. The Blade
This is the main part of the fencing sword. It is made up of low carbon steel. These swords bend when you strike your opponent so as to not physically wound them.
Injuries does not happen due to the blade in fencing. If an injury does occur then it is because of the pulled muscles or twisted ankles, not because of the blade.
Fencing blades are also light so that it does not exhaust the fencer easily. It can be very exhausting to practice all day, you don’t want your sword to weigh you down too.
It is said that professional fencers has to go through and try out a lot of swords before they find the perfect fit.
A lot is taken into account while crafting the sword because as we said earlier, it is undoubtedly the most important part of the sword.
Helping Parts of the Fencing Sword
The helping parts of the fencing sword are present here. We will discuss them too so that you get a full picture of the idea. Hopefully you will gain some help from these helping parts too.
1. Pommel
It’s the bottom of the fencing sword that keeps the sword together. It is generally made up of metal. This pommel is important to the Epee fencers who are using a French grip.
The pommel can also be of different styles and can be customized according to the preference of the user.
The weight texture and size of the pommel are important factors that are taken into account by the Epee fencers. It is an additional part but it is important nonetheless.
2. Pad
The lining inside the guard is known as pad. It ensures the comfort of the fencer. It will protect the knuckles and the fingers during the match.
So that it does not hurt the fencer and the match goes on smoothly and as comfortably as it could.
Cloth, leather or plastic is generally used to make pads. This is also a helpful part that helps maintain the comfort of the fencer.
3. Point
Points are not pointy. That’s the first thing that we will say. It used to be pointy in the ancient times when the fencing blade was used for lethal reasons but now it is not pointed at all.
It is kind of rounded off and made dull. It is the uncovered end of the metals blade. There are two types of points to be found – electric and practice. The point is not actually a point, how ironic.
4. Socket
The socket is the last part of the fencing sword that we are going to describe. It is not something special. Its just the piece Where the body cord can plug into the electric mechanism.
It is located between the guard and the grip. It is a simple part of the fencing sword. Many sword do not even have it.
However it is preferred by some fencers and many fencers even go through the whole process of finding the right socket for their fencing sword.
Is Fencing Like Sword Fighting?
Well in some aspects it might be considered to be similar to sword fighting but it is really not.Sword fighting is a beautiful thing of danger that is practiced in only a few places of the world right now.
One can get hurt because of sword fighting. The risk factor is higher in this sport. In recent times new blades are used that may not cause that much harm than the traditional sword fighting sword.
Fencing Isn’t Sword Fighting
Sword has fallen from grace. The sword was previously a very famous weapon of choice but nowadays with modern technology and far more effective and new weapons the sword has been pushed to the background.
The gun and other weapons are used nowadays. The sword has kind of lost its edge (pun intended). Now it is only used lightly for entertainment purposes.
Fencing originated from the swords of the past. A fencing is not sword fighting. If anything it is a far cry from it.
The process of fencing developed from years of training and sword practice. However the similarity between fencing and sword fighting is given below for you to understand it better.
Similarities Between Sword Fighting and Fencing
We do want to tell this clearly that Sword fighting and Fencing is completely different from each other.
However they do have a few similarity that we would like to point out. But having this similarity does not mean in any way that fencing and sword fighting is related to each other.
Sword fighting is sometimes called classical fencing too. Both the sport make use of similar weapons weather to defend or attack. It is a sport between two individuals on a one on one battle .
If you look then you will be easily saying that fencing and sword fighting is similar in many aspects but then again looks can be deceiving.
There is no actual fighting involved in fencing. Both the sport have a little in common and a lot if difference.
Top 5 Fun Fencing Facts
Here are top 5 fun facts about fencing that you probably did not know. Have a look at them –
- Fencing is practiced all over the world but half of the training for fencing is done in Europe only. That’s a weird fact to be honest.
- Fencing competitors are separated by groups of age and gender but it is the only game or rather combat game where there is no weight class.
- The modern Olympics has a lot of games includes in it. But only 4 games have been a part of every single one. Fencing is one of them.
- Chivalry is an important part of fencing. Even when back in the day, chivalry played an important part. It is said that they follow the principles today too. The fencing partners have to salute each other, the audience and the officials before the beginning of the match.
- Foil and Epee are both thrust style of fencing. This means that you will gain a point only by touching your opponent with the top of the blade.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been useful for you. If you are thinking of getting Into fencing or if you are just interested about it.
This article will hopefully have answered all your questions or curiosity.The different facts about fencing are very interesting to know.
We have covered almost everything in this article and we have also made sure that we use simple English so that even a novice can understand the terms of fencing.
Tell us what you think about this article in the comment section below.It has been a fun time writing this article. Thank you so much for reading this article.
Do share it with your friends and family or with anyone interested in the subject. Thank you once again and have a great day!
