Sabre

Don%27t you want to be him?
Don't you want to be him?

Fighting sabre is the most ruthless of fencing styles.  From the waist up you are a target, including your head.  You can attack with any part of your sword, be it the point, the flat end, or the edge.  You've got this nifty handle that covers your grip more, and you just generally feel a whole lot like a pirate.  It's pretty great.

Buying a Sabre

If there's anything "The Princess Bride" taught us, it's that handedness matters.  Before you can do anything else, you have to know if you're fighting lefty or righty.

Sabre Parts

Want to buy replacement parts for your weapon?  Here they are.

  • Sabre Grips  (only French) - A more contoured handle with more speed and agility but less stability and strength.
  • Pommels  - The counterbalance on the handle that holds the grip to the blade. It screws into the bottom of the grip to keep everything together.
  • Blades  - Unlike other blades, this has a sharp edge and a flat side. How chic!
  • Guards  - It's the part that cups over and shields your hand.

Protective Gear

Sabre fighting is brutal!  Cover up.

  • Masks  - Wired to monitor touches, just like the rest of you.
    • Keep in mind when purchasing a mask for sabre that you'll be getting hit in the head a lot. You want something that won't fall apart after a beating!
  • Jackets  - Remember that your arms are fair play.
  • Gloves  - Your grip is different on a sabre. Keep that in mind with the gloves.
  • Plastrons  - A half-jacket that gives extra protection underneath the official jacket.
    • Make sure there's no underarm seam. That would line up with the jacket seam and give you a very vulnerable spot.
  • Chest Protector  - Either little pads that slip inside the jacket or a whole plastic getup that is strapped underneath everthing.
    • Highly recommended for women. Extra support and extra protection for sensitive areas.
  • Cup  - Just like the rest of the sports.

Competitive Gear

These pieces keep you in accordance with the laws of proper sabre fighting.  Because the styles and target zones are completely different than foil or epee, the electrified gear (for scorekeeping not punishment) is different too.  Make sure that you buy sabre gear if you're fencing sabre.

Without these rules, we'd all be swashbuckling ruffians.

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