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2005-02-24 08:59:19

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The Foil

Not a member? Don't know what this is about? Message [Black Blur]!

Even though [darkscribe] is the creator and original teacher.

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/2237_wiki_help_9y7vcgcflr5.jpg>

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/2237_wiki_help_9y7vcgcflr5.jpg>

In this page, I want to talk about what makes up a modern fencing blade, how it works, and how to look after one. Although at the time of writing, I know none of the students are fencing, I dearly wish they would give it a go. In any event, the information below should prove useful in many different circumstances, as it explains the structure of many swords - old and new alike. Feel free to comment below.

Sections:

i) The Foil's composition
(so far...)

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/2237_wiki_help_9y7vcgcflr5.jpg>

The Foil's composition

A modern-day electric Foil (and indeed many old rapiers, although lacking the electrical parts) is made up of the following parts:

A steel blade with "tang"
Metal circular guard (various materials)
Plastic or leather circualr guard pad
Bayonet plug connector
Metal or plastic handle
Metal nut

The actual constitution of a Foil is deceptivley simple. Imagine a kebab - pieces of food - "components", if you will, alligned along a skewer. This is, simply, how a Foil is constructed.

<img:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/darkscribe1060875106.jpg>

<img:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/darkscribe1060875106.jpg>

<img:/img/drawing/darkscribe1060875172.jpg>

The Tang: The Tang is a long metal "skewer", the same piece of metal (excuse the crude language) as the blade, but a rounded cylinder shape, rounded and shaped to allow the whole balde to pass through guard, connector, <martingale*>, pad, and handle - meaning the whole sword can be held together by the nut, using the Tang's screw thread.

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/2237_wiki_help_9y7vcgcflr5.jpg>

Progress Notes

Soon, I hope to be making the following changes to the page:

* Detailed photos of a foil's components. My digital camera is not working (grr), so the other option is to use my SLR, which will take time to be developed (2 days).

* Photos and simplified example of a tang and its function, using a World War One cavelry sabre.

* Scanned images from a novice's fencing manual.

that's it for now folks. Oh, and can I have a favour? Will someone who can remember how to add iamges into html please write a the code near the top of this page, or in the comments, so I can copy and paste it in the future, as I have forgotten >.<

Thanks peeps

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/2237_wiki_help_9y7vcgcflr5.jpg>

Back to Weapons and Weapon Care

2003-08-07 [SeLoCeS]: *smiles* hi there, I am waiting so I may learn, do you think you will take me on as a student?

2003-08-07 [darkscribe]: sure, sign up through the Academy.

2003-08-08 [Mirime]: very nice essay scribe ^_^

2003-08-08 [darkscribe]: Not done yet, but thanks :) This is only the start... :) Oh, you lucky children, you... :P

2003-08-08 [Angel Dreamer]: for pics in here, the code's < img : pic >

2003-08-09 [Mirime]: (without spaces though, of course)

2003-08-10 [Benign_Plague]: Wow. I learned a lot from this. The foil is more complicated than i thought.

2003-08-11 [SeLoCeS]: *deep thought* i have to agree there is a lot more to this than i first thought

2003-08-11 [darkscribe]: yay! see? I'm not just a pretty face... err....O.O

2003-08-12 [Mirime]: a pretty unseen face >.>

2003-08-13 [SeLoCeS]: *smiles* she is right you know

2003-08-13 [Mirime]: Of course I'm right.

2003-08-14 [darkscribe]: ladies... ladies....calm, please

2003-08-15 [SeLoCeS]: *smiles* lol what dark we were agreeing with each other hehe

2003-08-16 [Mirime]: *laughs* hey, you got the pics up, good job

2003-08-16 [darkscribe]: thanks

2003-08-16 [Mirime]: hmm so that red bit is like a cushion for the thumb? *tries to envision the foil being held*

2003-08-16 [darkscribe]: Yes, for the thumb, and fingers and what not.

2003-08-17 [Wilde Card]: I practised fencing for a little while. I didn't pick up much though.. I can't help feeling that the bottom picture reminds me of an epee.. sniff, I wish I had gotten to do sabre.. =(

2003-08-17 [Mirime]: Hmm they look nothing like the little prop foil I have from Spain, lol (but of course not)

2003-08-17 [darkscribe]: Sabre is overrated. Are you sure it is an actual foil Mirime? Don't gorget a foil is a rapier, but only for fencing. See the diff?

2003-08-18 [Wilde Card]: Sabre looks great, besides, I like cutting movements over swiping and continous, thrusts. There are some gorgeous attack and defence techniques though, in foil play, that is. I'm going to practise Kenjutsu in the future. There's a question debated heavily "Katana or Rapier?" hee.. The arguements are very strong for both sides!

2003-08-18 [Wilde Card]: <img:src="yourURLhere">

2003-08-18 [Wilde Card]: geeze.. wiki screws it up xD

2003-08-18 [darkscribe]: yeah. Agh, the noble art of Kenjutsu *sighs*. Foil can be very beautiful - sometimes it can make you gape in awe. But the right-of-way rules make it tiresome to judge and preside over. Why choose between a foil and a Katana when you can have both? :P

2003-08-19 [Mirime]: I wish I actually knew what you were talkig about enough to envision it. Somehow I feel very backwards... *sad face*

2003-08-29 [soulforchrist]: they're lovely.

2003-08-29 [Mirime]: *starts dusting again* >.<

2003-11-16 [i yell at my monkey]: ok that was ok but i knew this stuff already lol

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