Based on the cavalry sabre with its long cutting edge, the fencing sabre differs from foil and épée in that one is allowed to slash with the edge of the blade to the target area, which is everything above the waist including the head.

Often fought at a blistering pace, it can be the fastest of the three weapons with points often lasting a matter of seconds (or less!)

Épée is the closest of the three weapons in fencing to an actual duelling sword. Indeed the design of the épée is very close to that of historical duelling weapons.

Épée came about once duelling became socially impossible and so clubs at which people trained to duel became the locations at which they came to fight.

Épée varies from foil and sabre in that you must hit with 750N of pressure to score a hit, rather than the 500N need in foil, and this is approximately the force needed to draw blood with a real duelling sword.

The general rules of épée are also simplified, with the first person to hit (by a fraction of a second in some cases) being awarded the point.

Rather than just the torso (as in foil) the whole body, from head to toe, is a target in épée, making the techniques somewhat different.

Foil is the oldest weapon and was devleloped to train people how to duel and fight with shorts swords and rapiers.

The aim when fighting foil is to strike the opponent with the point of the weapon on the torso, as this houses the major organs and a hit thus simulates a killing blow. Rules are in place in foil to discourage simultaneous hits, since in a real fight this is the least desirable outcome with both parties dead.

Despite being fought at a high pace, foil is very tactical with many parries and feints. Foil is the weapon our beginners course will primarily focus on,as with most club, this is due to foil introducing the basic concepts of swordplay.