fencing blade making/manufacturing

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reddragonwales

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Hello everyone,

I hope to find some advice on fencing blade making and someone who has expertise in manufacturing blades. It will be much appreciated if somebody could help.

Many thanks,

Leo
 
I don't make them but used to fence and know several fencers. Dave Catoe (FIF season4 episode18) was a champion fencer. I have a bundle of his old blades out in the shop.

You don't make foils or other fencing blades the same way you make knives and swords. They are made from a special type of low carbon steel called maraging steel. The process of HT is also different. Additionally, any blade made in your shop that was not certified by the FIE would be illegal to use in fencing according to the FIE rules. You can look up the standards and specifications as well as all the tests required here: https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachme...00.574958610.1683288282-1536330066.1683288282
 
Thanks for the information.

Frankly this is a business opportunity. I can possibly provide facilities but need an experienced expert to make them.
 
Take the time to review those FIE regulations. There are a lot of requirements there which would add to the costs for such a business.

There is good reason for it. Equipment failures have unfortunately led to a number of injuries and deaths over the years. I was a fencer in college and witnessed a foil breaking. Scary stuff, but fortunately noone was injured in that incident. You'd need to carry insurance in case of lawsuits as well.

Not trying to discourage you, just pointing out that this will be a complicated undertaking.
 
If you are looking for someone to make the blades for you, you are in the wrong forum. That would be in "The Exchange", "Knifemaker Services Wanted".
I doubt anyone with the skills needed will take the offer as the regulations and liabilities are too much.
Fencing weapons are made in factories with all the right materials and inspections. I honestly don't know if it is possible to make a small run of foils/epees and get them certified.

Plus, nowadays almost all foils are electric.
 
dwaterfield said:
Take the time to review those FIE regulations. There are a lot of requirements there which would add to the costs for such a business.

There is good reason for it. Equipment failures have unfortunately led to a number of injuries and deaths over the years. I was a fencer in college and witnessed a foil breaking. Scary stuff, but fortunately noone was injured in that incident. You'd need to carry insurance in case of lawsuits as well.

Not trying to discourage you, just pointing out that this will be a complicated undertaking.
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very valuable points and much appreciate it. the opportunity I mentioned is not from scratch but ideally having somebody with the experience in forging maraging steels.
 
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