Topic: US wins first gold medal in fencing in 100 years...

[Sirgod]

So if someone tries to attack me with a floppy metal sword and wears a noodle strainer on his head...I'll know whom to ask to defend me.

Too funny.

Stephen

[Abfalter]

Actually Scott or Lepton, would you care to Describe the difarance between the three styles of fencing? at least for us Newbies, It might come in handy to Be able to discuss Given a Basis.

Stephen

The most popular weapon is foil.  It's characteristics are that it is the smallest and lightest weapon.  The valid target area is the entire torso but not the arms or head --the back is perfectly valid if you can get to it.   There are rules for foil called "right of way" which basically boils down to "If you attack me, I have to parry that attack first before I can hit you for a point."

The weapon most like a duelist weapon is the epee, which is heavier and larger.  The valid target area for epee is the entire body.  You can score a point on someone's big toe.  There is no right of way in epee.  If both fencers touch, they BOTH get a point. 

Finally there is saber, which is what they showed on TV.  The other weapons score with the point.  The saber scores with the edge of the blade (or the point, if you can manage it).  The valid target area for saber is anything above the waist (including head).  Saber also has "right of way" rules, just like foil.  As our gold medal winner proved, raw agression is saber is a valuable skill. 

[Abfalter]

So if someone tries to attack me with a floppy metal sword and wears a noodle strainer on his head...I'll know whom to ask to defend me.

Yeah, I'll defend you in that case.  If someone attacks with a real sword instead, forget me and dial 911.

[Gambler]

So if someone tries to attack me with a floppy metal sword and wears a noodle strainer on his head...I'll know whom to ask to defend me.

Yeah, I'll defend you in that case.  If someone attacks with a real sword instead, forget me and dial 911.

That's when you call Indiana Jones and his pistol. 

[Abfalter]

So if someone tries to attack me with a floppy metal sword and wears a noodle strainer on his head...I'll know whom to ask to defend me.

Yeah, I'll defend you in that case.  If someone attacks with a real sword instead, forget me and dial 911.

That's when you call Indiana Jones and his pistol. 

I just saw that again a while ago on TV and, in truth, that is one of the greatest movie scenes of all time. 

[Gambler]

That's when you call Indiana Jones and his pistol. 

I just saw that again a while ago on TV and, in truth, that is one of the greatest movie scenes of all time. 

You may be right.  In an era of big bad fight scenes etc, cutting straight to the chase and actually taking advantage of the situation to make things much longer and more exciting.

It may not have been sporting.  But in reality it was an excellent choice for the character to make.  I've seen movies where one person gives up his weapon advantage so that it can be a fair fight.  He still wins, but it's longer and tougher.  In my opinion, in real life it's better to take the fast, easy way to the kill in a situation like that.