Brief description of equipment used in fencing.
EPEE
{mosimage}A thrusting sword descended from the duelling sword, similar in length to a foil but heavier, with a larger guard and a much stiffer blade.
FOIL
{mosimage}A thrusting sword with a flexible rectangular blade and a smaller guard than the epee.
SABRE
{mosimage}The modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, similar in length and weight to the foil but able to cut with the blade as well as hit with the point.
BLADE
The hitting part of a sword from the guard to the point.
POINT
The end of the blade, which must touch the opponent’s target area to score a hit.
GUARD
The part of a sword between the blade and handle that protects the armed hand.
HILT
The handle of a sword; also called the “grip”.
GRIP
The handle of a sword; also called the “hilt”.
MASK
With a mesh visor or with a transparent visor.
GLOVES
For the armed hand.
FIL DE CORPS
CHEST GUARD
Used to protect the chest
PISTE
French for the field of play where a fencing bout occurs; also called a “strip”.