epee

Went to fencing tonight (yeah, I know, in this heat - crazy! But the club is air conditioned), and no foilists showed. So, I borrowed a weapon and fenced epee.

For the longest time I've had a snobby attitude towards epee - "foil without the rules", I'd call it. I tried it around a year ago and it seemed like lots of hard hitting with little technique (and no parries). I'm happy to say I was wrong.

( fencing foo )

Don't think I'll be giving up foil or taking on epee anytime soon, but it's something to remember next time I'm given the option.

I still think that if I gave up foil I'd develop a lot of sloppy habits - in foil, at least, touches to my arm don't count :P