My Foil, or is it an epee

lizardman_u

lizardman_u

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Nov 28, 1999
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I was looking at what I believe to be an epee I have had for many years (it was found in the rafters of a garage of a friend of the family. it is marked on one side "Coulaux and Co" and Klingenthol on the other side with a 5 stamped right after the handguard (the writing and scroll work on the blade is defenately stamped).


you can see the full length image in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604155


Dave
 

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Looks like its probably an Epee, but can't really tell from those pictures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epee said:
The weapon is similar to a foil (compared to a sabre), but has a stiffer blade that is V-shaped in cross-section, has a larger bell guard, and is heavier.
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http://www.lafencing.com/htmls/intro.html said:
The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length, weighing less than one pound.
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Look at the cross-section.

If it's square/rectangular, it's a foil.
If it's more triangular, it's an epee.
 
it is rectangular. The company that made these made swords for France from the 1780s until 1962 when they closed their doors.

I just think it is a really neat find (found it when I was about 14) when we found it 24 years ago.

Dave
 
It's a foil. No doubt about that. The 5 indicates that it's a standard (or maximum) blade length. Should be 90cm, about 35 1/2 inches. The guard and handle look ancient. I'd guess the blade is more modern then the guard/handle/pommel as the blades tend to break and the handle assemble is serviceable for years.
 
tsafa said:
Epee has three edges. Foil has 4 edges.
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I don't think I'd go so far as to call them edges, as that insinuates a sharp edge, or atleast the potential for one.
Though I guess they are, literally, edges. I just don't want to confuse people who aren't as sword-informed.
 
HolyRoller said:
I don't think I'd go so far as to call them edges, as that insinuates a sharp edge, or atleast the potential for one.
Though I guess they are, literally, edges. I just don't want to confuse people who aren't as sword-informed.
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You mean to say one is triangular and the other rectangular?
three v four sides? :)
 
just10minreader said:
You mean to say one is triangular and the other rectangular?
three v four sides? :)
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Yes, that is what I mean. This is significant because it changes the position of the edge. You generally want to parry on your edge because you are stronger there. This is the reason why the same guard is slightly different on a foil vs epee vs rapier. 4 edges vs 3 edges vs 2 edges changes how you parry.

There has been some debate over parring with edge or flat in some circles. That may change things up too depending on your school of thought. Most fencing groups use the edge to parry and that is what the standard guards are based on.
 
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