What weapons are used in fencing?
Foil, epee and saber are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While it is not unusual for fencers to compete in all three events, they generally choose to develop their skills in one weapon. Until recently, women were permitted to compete only in foil, but now the USFA & FIE offer national competitions for women in all three weapons. Women’s epee was added to the World Championships in 1989 and was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1996. Women’s saber was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 2004, with the Gold medal being won by a fencer from Portland, Oregon. Foil and epee are point-thrusting weapons. Saber is a point-thrusting as well as a cutting weapon. The target areas differ for the three weapons, though all three are scored electrically. Foil: The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length, weighing less than one pound. Points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body. The va
