What will be needed as a minimum?

 

Beginners – will need to wear appropriate clothing i.e t-shirt, tracksuit/jogging bottoms and trainers/squash shoes.

 

As well as what may be loaned from the club, breeches will be needed to fence electric once you have completed your beginners’ course.

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We recommend that you talk to our fencing tutors before purchasing any fencing equipment 

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For more information regarding official rules on sword fencing clothing, please see: Chart of Clothing Rules: British Fencing.​

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Information and guidance about fencing equipment

 

Fencing kit includes:

* Safety equipment (Breeches, plastron, chest protector, jacket, glove & mask)

* Weapons

* Equipment required to facilitate electric scoring (Over jackets and cuffs made of conductive material [Lamés], electric wires connecting the weapons and the various target areas to the scoring apparatus (i.e. body wires and mask wires)

* Shoes

 

 

Safety rating

Safety equipment in fencing is designed in priority to avoid serious accidents by stopping blades from going through the material and reaching the fencer. For this purpose, equipment is rated in Newton, according to the pressure it can withstand (i.e. how stab-proof it is). Two standard ratings are generally available: 350N or 800N. Strict rules are in place to ensure that fencers wear the level of protection adapted to their situation (see below).

 

Comfort

It is important to note that the ratings provided in Newton only refer to the equipment’s safety; they give no indication of the equipment’s capacity to cushion hits (difference between injury and pain…). Some of the lower rated kit is also the thickest and most cushioned (typical club kit is only 350N but very thick). Some of the most expensive equipment is very thin (lightweight), so it feels more comfortable and not so hot.

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Weapons:

There are 3 types of weapon (épée, foil & sabre). Epées and foils are built with a spring loaded button at the point and electric wires running in a groove along the blade; although they look similar both electric systems are totally different and parts are not compatible. Blades can break and be replaced for all 3 weapons. The épée & foil wires/points can become faulty and be replaced relatively cheaply without requiring a new blade.

 

Sockets: all epees use the same type of socket (3 pins); foil & sabre can use either bayonet or 2 pins. In any case, sockets need to match plugs on the body wires.

 

Blades size:

Adult size = 5 from U15

Children size = 3 (foil) or 2 (sabre/épée) from U13

0 (all weapons) from U10

 

Notes:

There is little point in getting a non-electric weapon. The cost saving is generally marginal and use will be limited.

Fencers are required to have spare weapons with them during competition.

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Below  is a photo gallery of equipment needed for each weapon, (Expand photo for description)