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Step 1
Identify the guard of the weapon. Perhaps the easiest way to tell the difference between the three swords is by the size and shape of the guards. The foil has a small disc-shaped guard, the epee has a larger, bell-shaped guard that envelopes much of the fencer's hand, while the sabre has a guard with a strip of metal that comes down and attaches to the bottom of the sword or pommel, to protect the knuckles.
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Step 2
Identify the blade of the weapon. The foil has a spindly light blade, while the epee has a thicker, heavier, triangular-shaped blade. The sabre has a thin, flat blade, so that it can cut through the air quickly with a slashing motion.
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Step 3
Observe the way a fencer handles the weapon. Even from a distance, without being able to closely inspect the weapons, it is possible to tell what type of sword two fencers are using by the way they strike one another. In both foil and epee points are scored by stabbing with the tip, while the sabre is a stabbing or slicing weapon. If the fencers are attacking each other with a cutting motion, the weapon is a sabre. The difference between foil and epee is the designated target area. In foil, you may only score by hitting the opponent in the chest, and as such foil fencers wear a special mesh vest to sense scoring on the target area. In epee, you may score by hitting your opponent any place, so if the fencers are thrusting at the feet, arms or face, they are fencing epee.
