Equipment Requirements for Tournaments
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Epee
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Foil
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Saber
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For details of gear suppliers head over to our Equipment/Gear page
Tips & Recommendation
- Bring 3 weapons. The rule is to have two functioning weapons on the strip when you start a bout. If you only bring two and one breaks you may be disqualified as you would then only have one functioning weapon. Note: Not all judges will disqualify you for this. More likely at a local or regional event the judge will be lenient. Especially if your team armorer is present and able to repair the broken one before your next bout.
- Bring 3 body cords (& mask cords for foil/saber). Why? Same as above. Also cords are cheap and break fairly easily. Better to have an extra and not need. You may also be a hero to one of your teammates if they have a breakage and you have a spare they can borrow.
- ALWAYS have your armorer test your equipment before EVERY tournament. At least a week before is ideal so there is time for repair or for you to order a replacement and it arrive in time.
- Use the same grip and blade for all of your competition weapons. Grabbing a backup weapon from your bag and having a different grip or stiffer/looser blade etc. can really throw off your point control and movement. Once you start competing a lot get three of the same FIE blades that you like and three of your favorite grip. Ask to try out your teammates blades and grips so you have a good idea of what options there are and what fits you the best
- Inspect velcro and snaps. If your velcro on a jacket or knickers is too worn it may not pass inspection. Same goes for snaps/connectors. Much much cheaper to have a tailor (or skilled person) replace a velcro patch for a few dollars instead of buying a whole new $200+ jacket. Note: local tournaments are not likely to check your jacket and knickers but Nationals will.
- Have Fun! Be ready to loose. Have the mindset to win but you never know who you might be fencing against. The point of a tournament is to fence all kinds of different people with all kinds of different skills and techniques. That's the most fun part. Win or loose try your best and enjoy the fight. Remember, you learn more from a defeat than from a win.