The foil, epee and sabre are the weapons of fencing and since 1989, all three are fenced by both sexes. Each weapon targets a specific area of the body with a specific part of the blade that may score touches. Many fencers fence all three weapons, but most espouse a favorite.

The Foil

The basic weapon is the foil, a light, rectangular steel blade of 35 inches weighing less than a pound. Points are scored only with the tip of the blade and only within the torso. The foil is the weapon of both beginner and master, requiring the utmost finesse and skill. Skill with the foil is prerequisite to the proper use of the other two blades.

The Epee

The epee, (French for sword), is a dueling instrument, the real thing, heavier and stiffer than the foil, with the triangulate blade of evolved rapiers. The handguard is larger than a foil's to protect the hand from a valid hit, for while points are scored only with the point of the epee blade, the entire body - front and back - is a target.

 
 
 
The Sabre

If the epee is the dueling sword of fencing, the sabre is its military and cavalry equivalent. Sabre fencing is unique in that both the blade's edge and point score touches, anywhere above the waist, emulating the target presented by a mounted adversary. Sabres have knucklebows to protect the hand from cutting edge attacks.

While an overview of all rules governing fencing is beyond the scope of this piece, it's important to note that fencing is one of the few remaining sports/hobbies/lifestyles still embracing a strict code of manners and honorable behavior. Fencers salute before fencing and shake hands when finished, no matter the outcome. Courtesy and self control are required of fencers and officials and any salle d'armes, (fencing hall), worth the name demands honorable behavior from all participants at all times.

One convention difficult for new fencers and spectators to grasp is right-of-way, the differentiation between offense and defense. Right-of-way applies only to foil and sabre bouts; epee, in the tradition of dueling, counts whichever hit lands first. If both fencers land hits simultaneously, they both count, as they would in a duel. In foil and sabre, the referee determines right-of-way based upon which fencer was actually attacking when the touch was made. The rule was conceived to avoid accidental, or "lucky" hits and encourage fair play and expertise.

The Importance of Being Earnest

There are parallels between fencing's right-of-way rule and the principles of national defense. For instance, if fencer A threatens fencer B with a straightened arm and lunging attack, fencer B must parry the attack, establishing his right-of-way, before counterattacking. Once this is done, however, fencer B has every right and reason to attack fencer A with all the design and energy at his disposal and he must not tarry lest he lose again his initiative, opportunity and the "right-of-way". Any fencer, or nation, refusing to counterattack an aggressor, is doomed to remain forever fearful and defensive and will ultimately lose the bout or war. In fencing, as in life, a good offense is the best defense.