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The term was introduced into English in the 1880s for the sportive fencing weapon. Like the foil (French: fleuret ), the épée evolved from light civilian weapons such as the small sword , which, since the late 17th century, had been the most commonly used dueling sword , replacing the rapier .
A foil is one of the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. It is a flexible sword of total length 110 cm (43 in) or under, rectangular in cross section, weighing under 500 g (18 oz), with a blunt tip. [1] As with the épée, points are only scored by making contact with the tip. The foil is the most commonly used weapon in fencing. [2]
Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting. [1] The three disciplines of modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre (also saber); each discipline uses a different kind of blade, which shares the same name, and employs its own rules. Most competitive fencers specialise in one discipline.
An assault at which the score is kept. Usually refers to a match between two fencers in a competition. This is the term used in the US to generally denote any combat between fencers, replacing the terms match and assault. Broadsword A type of historical military sword and fencing weapon popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, similar to a heavy ...
Sabre – A fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. The modern fencing sabre is descended from the dueling sabre of Italy and Germany, which was straight and thin with sharp edges, but had a blunt end.
The sabre weapon is for thrusting and cutting with both the cutting edge and the back of the blade [2] (unlike the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, where a touch is scored only using the point of the blade). [2] The informal term sabreur refers to a male fencer who follows the discipline; sabreuse is the female equivalent.
Fencing practice and techniques of modern competitive fencing are governed by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), though they developed from conventions developed in 18th- and 19th-century Europe to govern fencing as a martial art and a gentlemanly pursuit. The modern weapons for sport fencing are the foil, épée, and sabre. [1] [2]
Fencers tend to stand somewhat side-on to the principal direction of movement (the fencing line), leading with the weapon side (right for a right-hander, left for a left-hander). In this fencing stance the feet are a shoulder-width or more apart with the leading foot forward and the trailing foot at right angles to it. Finally, the knees are ...