I'm thinking of starting with Saber, just for the versatility of playing style...that and mebbe Epee.
Any info you guys have is greatly appreciated.
nuyuck nuyuck nuyuck
Epee requires more blade control then you are going to have when you first start up. Saber is going to take more footwork then you can even imagine currently. Saber is also a bad idea because it is mostly incompatible with the other weapons and you would be screwed up for life after starting on it.
Traditionally you woulnd't even touch a blade for two years and just learn footwork, but that isn't really an option and so just pick up foil, find yourself a coach and do what he tells you. That is your best bet to be able to do anything in the long run. 'Sage has more experiance with fencing then I do so he may give you a different suggestion, but from what I have seen it is best to hold back in taking the giant steps for as long as possible.
sigpic courtesy of This Guy, original modified by me
Plan to fence foil for at least a couple of years, and stick to a French grip for at least the first year. Also, find a reputale coach who teaches the French style rather than the German. IMNSHO, the German style is too rigid to teach beginners, and limits their future growth.
Once you're quite good at foil, you'll also know which of the weapons best suits your personal style and capability.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
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Demos impressed everyone with:
Ok, so I'm looking to get into fencing. First off, which kinds do anyone have experience with? Foil, Epee, Saber, etc. Also, what kind of grips have you tried, and like? Dislike?I'm thinking of starting with Saber, just for the versatility of playing style...that and mebbe Epee.
Any info you guys have is greatly appreciated.
They are leaving out the most important part - it's fun. One of my co-workers recently took up fencing. She appears to like it a lot. So it appears to be an entertaining hobby.
I started myself, foil french grip, this last college quarter.
How true is it that portland was the premier area to learn fencing until a bunch of big schools hired all the local retired teachers?
If you were to start with saber, one would hope you desperately love nasty welts, because you'll look like you've been flogged.
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This one time, at Pvednes camp:
Foil with french grip. Easily the way to go.If you were to start with saber, one would hope you desperately love nasty welts, because you'll look like you've been flogged.
Hehe...nothing new. Played paintball for a few years.
Thanks guys for the info. Now I just have to find a nearby place...there's a club, but I'm not sure if anyone does lessons.
Thanks a lot, Naimah, Bloodsage.
Now you've left nothing for me to say in this thread. 
You could talk about the differences in the weapons. . .we sort of left that for later.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
I never touched the saber, its evil.
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Lashanna wrote, obviously thinking too hard:
Now you've left nothing for me to say in this thread.
"Teehee, swords are cool!"? [ 12-28-2003: Message edited by: Lenlalron Flameblaster ]
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ACES! Another post by Elvish Crack Piper:
Fencings cool.I started myself, foil french grip, this last college quarter.
How true is it that portland was the premier area to learn fencing until a bunch of big schools hired all the local retired teachers?
I took fencing in portland(I live here), I haven't taken it anywhere else so I can't really compare, but the coaches were definetly good. As far as I know, the people I took classes from haven't been hired by any schools. =/
From what she tells me, it's a rush and a lot of fun.
I really don't contribute anything to the thread, but oh well.
Foil is used to teach beginners, then if they want to after a year or two they go onto epee, and then after that saber. Foil is fairly easy to learn. Most of the difficulty in fencing is getting your footwork to work. Foil is also good because to score a point, your target area is much more limited as opposed to the other two types. This I think helps you to find control over the blade while fencing.
As far as what its like, think doing martial arts in a sauna. Basically the mask and the bodywear heats you up rather quickly and due to all of the explosive energy being used you can tire out really fast. Its a rush and its great fun.
Not sure what type of area you're in but as was said the most likely places that will teach fencing are colleges, sports centers, or specialty places that might have a instructor.
As an aside, I think that Kendo is really cool. I've seen some stuff on it and it all very much impressed me. That and the gear looks quite spiffy, but it also looks a bit more hurty than fencing. Also the only downside that I see with foil is that its a linear style of combat. Not sure on Epee and Saber, but I think Kendo is quite cooler and if I could ever find a place that teaches I'd sign up. Anyways *flicks two coppers*
(Oh yea, if you're interested in olde timey texts about swords etc, then look up Giacomo Di Grasse's "True Art of Defense" fun read and somewhat practical as far as fencing is concerned).
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Lee Taxx0r had this to say about John Romero:
I took fencing in portland(I live here), I haven't taken it anywhere else so I can't really compare, but the coaches were definetly good. As far as I know, the people I took classes from haven't been hired by any schools. =/
My coach in kelso said that the world champs kept cominh from the portland area for awhile so Notre Dame and some others hired all the best ones up.
This may have been as many as 10+ years ago though, the guy is kinda old.
