Swords of Western Martial Arts

by Ken Mondschein

As an avid practitioner of European schools of fencing, as well as a dedicated student of karate-do, it never fails to amaze me how little of Western swordsmanship is known amongst practitioners of Asian martial arts. A hundred years ago, anyone wishing to learn self-defense would have been equally likely to report to a fencing salle (school) for instruction in cane-fencing as to seek out a master of jujitsu, which was, at that time, a relatively new and exotic import from the East. Yet, today, if you mention a katana, everybody knows what you're talking about: a relatively short Japanese single-edged sword with a curved blade. But almost no one knows what the heck an epee is. This deplorable situation plainly cannot be allowed to continue: Western fencing is every bit as worthy of study as kendo (the Japanese competitive art using bamboo practice swords), arnis (a Philippine martial art using empty hand as well as stick and bladed weapon techniques), gung fu (a generic term referring to Chinese martial arts), or other Asian martial arts. Therefore, for the edification of all, I present a brief synopsis of some of the weapons used in classical and modern sport fencing.

The Foil

The first item that should be mentioned is the foil, for foil technique forms the basis for all fencing. The foil, as we know it today, first came about in the eighteenth century as a practice stand-in for the short, light sword gentlemen wore as a part of their daily costume. Because it is a tool for practice, rather than an actual weapon, foils have no sharp edges, but rather are rectangular in cross-section. For additional safety, a foil's point is blunted with a nail head, and then a button is attached, so that its force of impact is spread out over a relatively wide area.

Foil handles come in a variety of styles, such as the French, the Italian, and the Spanish (which is a mixture of the first two), as well as various bizarre "pistol grips." These pistol grips have only come about since the devolution of fencing into a sport, since using the pistol grip requires quite different technique than fencers used in the days when they had to train with the possibility of a life-or-death encounter in mind.

Foil fencing relies solely on the thrust to score touches upon the opponent. Because it is a relatively light weapon, and used within the conventional context of a fencing bout, foil has some of the most complex, elegant, and difficult techniques of all fencing weapons. In fact, one might say that it most closely approaches the purest "form" of fencing. Foil rules enforce good fencing sense, dictating that one must successfully defend oneself against an opponent's attack before replying with an attack of one's own. Foilists may score a touch only upon the other's torso; the head and limbs are off-target.

The Epee

The epee, like the foil, is also solely a thrusting weapon with unsharpened edges, though its original purpose was in no way sporting. Rather, the epee is the dueling sword of the 19th and early 20th centuries, blunted and with a protective button added. Remove the button and sharpen the point, and the stiff, triangular blade you hold in your hand is the same weapon that men used to avenge honor with blood. Note how in this photo that the weapon is held in such a way that the hand, wrist, and forearm provide a minimal target.

Epee fencing first came about in the late 19th century as an attempt more perfectly to simulate the duel, but soon became a competitive event in its own right. As with foil, epee has strayed even further from its roots in the past 50 years or so, utilizing pistol grip techniques and tactics that would have been foolhardy in a duel with sharps.

Ideally, though, epee uses far more conservative actions than the foil. This conservatism is mandated by the rules the weapon is fenced under, since epeeists may touch their opponents anywhere on their body, and double-hits score against both fencers. The hand, wrist, and forearm are thus favored targets, for a wound there with a sharp weapon would disable an opponent, while keeping one's own body safely out of distance. A too-radical attack, such as an ill-conceived lunge to the leg or torso, is likely to be stopped by a counter thrust to the mask.

The Fencing Saber

The fencing saber is often confused with the military saber, but it is, in fact, a completely different weapon. Far lighter and faster than the military weapon, the dueling saber was popular in Italy, and it is upon this weapon that the fencing saber is based. However, the dueling saber had a slight curve and was sharpened along the entire length of the front edge, the first third of the back edge, and equipped with a sharp point, while fencing sabers made today have straight blades, are slightly lighter, and usually have Y-shaped cross-sections. (Needless to say, they are also not sharpened.) Both the practice weapon and its dueling counterpart have a guard that curves over to protect the fingers, which somewhat affects the tactics used. The saber guard position places the weapon-hand before the body, in the optimal position for both attack and defense. Note how in this photo the saber's guard is angled outwards.

Saber fencing shares some qualities with foil and some with epee. Like foil, it has conventional rules that dictate that one must defend before one attacks -- good sense if faced with a three-foot razor blade. It also has a limited target area, in this case, the head, torso, and arms. Hitting below the waist is prohibited. However, like epee, it is a serious-minded weapon, in which the most efficient action is usually the best. Originally, saber fencing required a certain calmness of mind and steadiness of purpose that budo exponents would find very familiar. However, like foil and epee, saber fencing today has moved far away from its roots; modern competitors are more than willing to suffer a saber cut, provided that their own attack lands first and scores a point.

These three fencing weapons are still used in the modern sport of fencing, a fast-paced and athletic game that utilizes electronic scoring apparatus to register points and places an emphasis on speed and aggression. However, they also form the curriculum of classical fencing, a martial art descended from the days when sharp weapons were used in earnest. Classical fencers seek, above all else, to "hit without being hit," a sound dictum when someone is trying to run you through with a piece of metal. Classical fencing places its emphasis on proper technique, economy of motion, and mental equilibrium.

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About The Author:

Ken Mondschein, is a New York City writer and amateur historian. After achieving a masters degree in European History he became a student of classical fencing and historical swordsmanship under Maestro Ramon Martinez. He is also knowledgeable about European classical dressage, the art of horsemanship, and its history and application in mounted combat. Other martial arts studies include karate where he is now a student at the World Seido Karate Organization's New York City headquarters. Mondschein currently works in textbook publishing and is Associate Editor for European Sword Arts for FightingArts.com.