What is Classical Fencing?
When you think about swords, you might think of either literature or theatrical features like The Three Musketeers, The Prisoner of Zenda, Zorro...or even more flashy sci-fi implementations like Star Wars. It's important to note that the art of fencing goes beyond what we see in the movies. To quote famed Hollywood fencing master, Fred Cavens, "All movements - instead of being as small as possible as in competition fencing - must be learge but nevertheless correct." There are different types of fencing, and one such path is Classical Fencing.
While the Olympic/sport style fencers are rewarded by the hit, classical fencers are rewarded by the means. Following the rule of "What if it were sharp?," classical fencing strives towards the goal of "killing without being killed." One must practice good defense to protect themself, as well as practice good technique in order to outsmart their opponent and deliver the killing blow.
Because there is so much to think about during a match, fencing is often referred to as a physical game of chess. Because classical fencing promotes form and knowledge over physical strength, it is a lifelong experience for many people, even those thought to be past their prime. Great fencing masters have lived and fenced well up into their eighties and nineties, showing that it's never too late to start fencing.
The benefits of fencing don't end when a fencer leaves the piste. A fencer learns valuable skills that they can apply to everyday life, whether dealing with the frustrations of school or the working world.
The Weapons
FOIL
The Foil was developed as a training device allowing safe practice of the sword. The Foil is a decendent of the Smallsword and the Rapier and shares their application of the point of the weapon. Therefor, a Foil fencer must hit the opponent with the tip of the weapon in order to count a valid hit. It is recommended to learn the Foil first and as the basis for your technique, as a fencer can utilize many of it's applications towards other weapons.
The blade is typically 32-35 inches long with a rubber/plastic tip on the end for safety. A bellguard rests in front of the grip (to protect the hand) and is followed by the grip and the pommel. There are several kinds of Foil grips, the most important two being the French and the Italian. The French grip has a long and simple handle that shapes into the contour of the hand. The Italian grip mimics older sword guards and is held a little differently.
Baited Blade teaches in the French school of fencing and new fencers will begin with this weapon.
EPEE
When Foil training started to become too academic and individuals were losing their lives in affairs of honor, it became apparent that the Foil was not providing a sufficient mindset of a swordsman in a deadly duel. The Epee was the answer to this problem. At a glance, the Epee shares many similarities with the Foil. It is also a point/stabbing weapon and the grips are very similar. But the Epee has a few differences, mainly in the game in which it's played.
While Foil is an academic weapon with conventions and rules, Epee attempts to simulate a realistic swordfight by allowing all areas of the body as targets. Because a valid hit can be made anywhere on the body, it is up to the fencer to make the best possible defense in order to evade the opponent's blade.
SABRE
The sabre differs from the other two weapons in that it is designed primarily to deliver the cut with the thrust as a secondary attack. To facilitate this, the blade is slightly wider but flatter than that of the foil. This actually gives it more flexibility than either of the other weapons. The point is not the nail-head type as in the foil and the larger, heavier epee but is folded back thus rounding the point. That feature, coupled with the blade's greater flexibility, makes a plastic or rubber tip unnecessary. The hand guard is the largest of the three and extends back toward the pommel to cover the knuckles. The grip is made for cutting actions and is ambidextrous.
The sabre, unlike the other two, has its origins in a military weapon. The original fencing version, though lighter than its backsword and curved sabre cousins, was heavier than the weapon we use today. In that light, Baited Blade is looking to offer a heavier, curved version in the future.