In olden times, his honor and life depended on the skill of the fencer. Today, weapons are used only for sports and sometimes even for fitness. To apply it correctly, you should familiarize yourself with the distinguishing features of each of them. Prick is the only attack method for species such as epee and rapier. The difference between the saber is the ability to strike as well. This implies a significant difference in fencing technique. Each person has his own type of weapon. Therefore, before you start attending classes, you should familiarize yourself with the principles of using each type in a duel.
Weapon history
In the Stone Age, a stick considered to be a prototype different from today's sword and rapier is a stick that a primitive man took up in his hands for his protection.
A lot of time passed before the first type of weapon was transformed into something more similar to its modern varieties.
The sword appeared first. This happened back in the 2nd century BC. e. It was a heavy and sharp weapon on all sides that could be chopped, chopped and cut. It was used in foot battle. But for the battle on the horse, he was very uncomfortable.
Three centuries later, Asians invented sabers, which were successfully used for both equestrian and foot combat. In the 15th century, a sword and foil appeared in Europe. Their difference from the saber was in the great thinness of the blade. This allowed him to penetrate into the undefended places of the armor of warriors. In Italy, such a weapon was called "sword", and in Spain - "rapier". The wounds they inflicted were fatal in the event of a stabbing strike and less dangerous in the case of cuts.
Historical sword
Epee (from Italian spada) is a cold- piercing, sharp-cutting weapon derived from a sword . Its length was found from 1 m or more. It consists of one or two-blade blade and handle, which has a bow and guard. The handle is called the hilt. The complex shape of the guard protects your fingers from bumps.
Among the varieties of such weapons should be noted subsequently appeared "court" sword. She had light weight. Such a sword was an integral attribute of the clothing of the court.
The French school of fencing shortened the blade of a weapon and turned into a faceted blade. The rapier and the epee, whose differences were significant in a later period, also had an unsharpened blade and a very sharp peak. The cavalry version of the sword was in the range from 1 to 1.5 kg.
Weapons and rapiers became also civilian and were an attribute of nobles and wealthy people in Europe.
Sports sword
Modern epee, rapier, saber, the differences of which are important for the style of fencing, are considered only as a sports weapon.
The epee has a length of 110 cm. Its weight is 770 g and above. The steel blade is quite flexible and has a trihedral cross section. The fencer's brush is protected by a circular guard with a diameter of 13.5 cm. The main feature of the sports sword is the trihedral cross-section of the blade, thinned to the top. The maximum width of the faces is 24 mm.
In sports, the use of epee, rapier or saber involves excellent tournaments for men and women. The sword tip is equipped with a sensor that responds to a pressure of 550 g. This detects an injection that can be applied to all parts of the athlete's body except the back of the head. The device does not fix it if pressure on the tip occurred 0.25 s later than the other. Therefore, in fencing on swords there is no priority for action. Simultaneous injections are awarded to both participants.
Historical rapier
Rapier and epee, the differences of which were identified in the 16th century, were significantly different from modern sports weapons.
Rapier (from Spanish: ropera) literally means “sword for clothes”. It was often used for wearing with civilian clothes, as it was a lightweight version of the weapon. For cutting the rapier is less suitable than a sword. However, in the classic version, the unsportsmanlike variety had blades.
Rapiers were popular in the 16th century. In the 17th century they were replaced by short swords, which because of this began to weigh less.
The length of the historical rapier was up to 130 cm. Less than a meter was the blade that characterized the weapons variety. Swords and rapiers weighed more than sports.
Sports foil
Sports rapiers from a sword differ in their parameters. So, the rapier cross section is tetrahedral. The length of the blade is 90-110 cm, and the mass of the weapon does not exceed 500 g. The brush protects the metal guard with a diameter of 12 cm.
The blade is proportionally reduced in cross section to the top, which is equipped with a tip with a diameter of 6 mm.
For weapons used in competitions, the tip is a movable electrical contact device. It responds to an injection inflicted on the enemy. When the circuit is closed, the signal is fed through the wire, which goes along the deepening of the edge from the tip to the guard. Under the guard is the connector to which the wire is glued.
In addition to the main parameters, there is another difference between the rapier and the sword. Sport allows you to use different tactics and techniques of warfare. It is the rapier that sometimes allows you to replace the straight curly handle. This form is called a “gun” and makes it possible not to bend your wrist while gripping the handle.
Foil fight
Fencing on foils, sabers and swords involves the organization of separate competitions for men and women. The pressure of the rapier for the tip response should be 500 g. Injections are counted only if they were applied to a metallized jacket.
I is a saber;
II - rapier;
III - a sword.
Weapons such as rapiers, swords, sabers, the differences in sports of which are quite significant, require separate consideration. The modern rapier fencing rule determines that an enemy attack must be repelled before the response begins. Therefore, the priority of action is important for this weapon. The advantage is determined by the arbiter, who stops the fight when the device registered a shot.
Collision of fighters with bodies is also prohibited. The battle also stops if one of the participants is behind the other fighter. With the use of video replays in modern fencing, it has become possible to avoid the arbiter's mistake in making a decision.
Historical saber
Epee, rapier, saber, the differences of which were formed due to the historical technique of warfare, are applicable today in sports competitions, taking into account their ancient features.
A saber is a chopping weapon that has a curved blade. In order to inflict stabbing blows, the soldiers honed the top of the blade by 10 cm on both sides.
The saber appeared in the East and became widespread in the 7-8 centuries. During this period, it was a chopping-piercing type of weapon. By the 14th century, it was already a predominantly chopping variety, with a relatively low weight and significant curvature of the blade. The shift of the center of gravity from the hilt increased the force of impact and the area of damage.
In the 16th century sabers were used by dragoons, and in the 18-19th centuries, a modified type of this weapon was used by the hussars.
Sports saber
Fencing on swords, rapiers, sabers and takes into account today those features of warfare, for which in the old days every kind was used. Therefore, a sports saber is a chopping and stabbing weapon, a blade with a trapezoidal cross section.
The length of the steel blade reaches 105 cm. The mass of the saber is 500 g. The guard has a special shape that protects the fighter’s hand in front and on top if he directs the blade up.
Blows may be applied only to the upper part of the fencer's body, including the hands (to the wrist) and the mask. Impact and injection are fixed by the device. The affected surface of the protective clothing has silver shavings, and the mask is in contact with the jacket.
Saber combat is similar to foil fencing with the right priority when attacking. The difference is only in the type of strike. They are not stitching, but cutting. The battle thus becomes more dynamic.
Varieties of fencing
Today, depending on the type of fencing, a saber, sword or rapier is used. The fight can be historical, artistic and sporting. Therefore, the type of weapon should be selected based on the purpose of its implementation.
Historical fencing is carried out to reconstruct a duel between two people or an entire group in the style of the chosen era with the appropriate weapons. Outwardly, this may not be the most beautiful sight, but they help to restore the historical authenticity of events.
Artistic fencing also recreates the historical concepts of combat. However, this view is more spectacular. This is a production show and the opponent here, in fact, is a partner. It often uses light weapons.
Sports fencing is conducted on special swords, rapiers and sabers according to certain rules. Weapon versions are also used lightweight.
How to choose a weapon
Having decided to go in for fencing, you should determine which weapon is more acceptable for a person. It can be a saber, a sword and a rapier. The difference between fighting techniques using each type is studied by a beginner during the first 3-4 months.
Each trainer is sure that the kind of fencing he teaches is the best, technical and beautiful. Therefore, the chosen type of weapon must be loved. Each fencing master will teach this to a beginner from the very first lessons.
Everyone will not be able to try himself in sparring or training combat right away. Therefore, you should try various fencing techniques and only after a few months make a conclusion about the most suitable type of weapon for yourself.
It should also be noted that training swords, rapiers and sabers are slightly different from electronic ones. Although, if you master the technique of fencing and learn all the tactical and physical subtleties of this sport, such details will not interfere with expressing yourself in the competition.
The weapon of a saber, sword and rapier, the difference of which was formed under the influence of historical factors of warfare, allows each novice fencer to choose the best type for himself. So, we can conclude: each type of weapon has its own unique capabilities and entertainment.