Getting Started Fencing

Series Summary

Fencing is the art of swordsmanship. It has developed into a competitive sport, being one of four sports featured at each of the modern Olympic Games. Protective fencing gear consists of masks, gloves, breeches and plastron. Typically made of tough cotton, nylon, and Kevlar, the full-body padding is very protective and cannot easily be punctured. Sabre fencing uses right-of-way like foil fencing, but points can be scored with the edge of the blade. This follows from the original design of sabres as edged swords, whereas the rapiers which led to foil fencing were usually pointed, thrusting blades.

In this free video series, expert swordswoman Amy Boyle teaches you how to choose equipment to start fencing. Geared towards all fencing, with a slight emphasis on foil fencing, Amy shows you how to buy masks, gloves, pants, jackets, and socks. Amy also gives you ideas on choosing your lame, plastron, breastplates, and other protective gear. You will learn what to look for in a sword, with added tips for foil fencers. It is all here.

Video Transcript

"As we get started talking about how to choose and buy your fencing equipment, I want to first talk about what you need in the very beginning, before we get down to the specifics about how to choose the blade that works for you, the mask that works for you, and what exactly out of all this stuff that you really need. Let's talk about the basics. To get started, you really only need a couple things, and you don't always have to make the purchase before you try on the first couple things to see if you like the sport. So, the items that you most need, and which you can probably borrow your local fencing club in the beginning, first and foremost is the mask. The mask is a really important piece of protective equipment, but it's also probably going to be the first piece of equipment you want to buy, mostly because masks are really gross when you borrow them. They're the first--a lot of sweaty people end up in here. So, the mask is absolutely necessary before you begin to practice fencing, you never want to have a foil or an epee in your hand, or a saber for that matter, without a mask on your head. And it's also probably going to be the first piece that you buy for yourself. Also, of course, which is likely to become your favorite, is your weapon. Here is a foil. You will borrow weapons at first. It's a good idea because you get an idea of what you like, but you are probably going to want to eventually purchase your own foil, just to get the types that you like to find out what it is that you want in a blade, and also what your grip preferences are, that after awhile your foil becomes like your baby. So, it is nice to have a blade or two of your own. And then, of course, you don't want to fence without a jacket. A jacket offers a lot of good protection, and of course it's necessary if you're going to fence regulation. Finding a jacket that fits properly is important, as is, in anything that you buy, you want to find equipment that is light, that is comfortable, that moves well, and that suits--especially when it comes to your weapon--that suits your style. So, next let's get started talking about--oh, also, well, you definitely need a mask, you need a blade, you need a jacket to get started, you might want to add some other pieces. You probably will want a glove. In the beginning I recommend that you use your own pants as you're fencing and practicing. You don't need to get knickers right away. You can use sweats, although the blades tend to catch in them. You can also use any other pants that offer you a little bit of protection while you're fencing. It's usually not a good idea to fence in shorts. So, again, the essentials are going to be your jacket, going to be your weapon, going to be your mask, you can use some of your own equipment like shoes and pants from there, but as you spend more and more of your time fencing, you'll probably find you want to increase your collection, and pick up other pieces along the way."