About Fencing
For those of you not familiar with the different swords used in fencing here is a brief description:
The Epee originated from the duelling sword - thus its target area is the entire body and the point of the sword is used to score a hit.
People started to employ Masters (similar to modern day fencing coaches) in an effort to enhance their combat skills. During practice sessions only the trunk area was used, still scoring with the point, but a lighter weapon was developed for this purpose - this formed the origins of the foil.
The modern day Sabre came from the cavalry sword and, although the point can be used, the majority of hits are made with the cutting edge. The blade is no longer sharp (some might say this is a retrograde step) and indeed much thinner and lighter than that used by the cavalry, but its basic shape remains. In battle it was considered bad form to hit another soldier on the legs or wound the horse, which is why our target area today at Sabre is anywhere above the waist.
Earlier origins of the Sabre exist in the form of the Scimitar, the curved cutting weapon used by the Turks and Persians - from this we derived our club name.
Fencing provides the participant with both a physical and mental workout, and is sometimes referred to as an athletic game of chess. Its increase in popularity in recent years has been attributed partly to the fact that people have been looking beyond the gym for a sport which tests your tactics and technique against that of your opponent. Recent films such as James Bond "Die another Day" have included modern fencing in their script.
Why fence Sabre?
Of the three weapons Sabre bouts are the most athletic; in general hits are faster and bouts over quicker than in foil or epee. In terms of explosiveness of actions and duration of bouts; if we were to draw a comparison to athletics, the epeeist would be the long distance runner, the foilist the middle distance runner and Sabreur the sprinter!
If you're interested in trying your hand at the cut and thrust of Sabre then why not sign up for one of our beginner classes.