The Foil

Historically, the foil was used as a practice weapon for the rapier. The weapon itself is light with a very flexible blade (square in cross section) and having a small bell-guard. All hits are scored on the torso and in competition hits are scored electrically and therefore foil fencers must wear a special lamé (metal mesh vest) over their normal gear in order to activate the target area. Foil is a very technical weapon and scoring points is governed by the concept of "right of way" or a fencer's priority of attack.

Épée is the closest modern relative to the actual duelling sword and is much heavier and less flexible than the foil and has a larger bell-guard. In cross-section, an epee blade is triangular. There is no "right of way" with épée fencing, the first touch scores the hit and the entire body is target.

Sabre resembles the cavalry sword, having a light, flexible blade and bell-guard that curves around to protect the fingers. Sabre blades are more rectangular in cross-section than the foil blades and they have a flattened section near the tip. Hits can be scored with the edge or the point and are scored on any part of the body above the waist. Sabreists must also wear a lamé in competitions but their lamés have sleeves and a special glove covering called the manchette. Sabre masks are also connected to the circuit with a special mask wire which attaches to the jacket to activate the entire target area. Like foil, sabre fencing depends on a fencer's right of attack in order to score the points.