Epee and Foil: the differences between the two so similar blade

  • Dec 24, 2019
click fraud protection
Epee and Foil.
Epee and Foil.

Ever thought about what a sword is different from the rapier and why between them generally have such a division. It is obvious that these two weapons are very similar. However, in a detailed examination of all may be not the case, as it seems at first glance. Our story begins in medieval Spain.

A little history

Weapons come together with the spread of fire. | Photo: comp-pro.ru.
Weapons come together with the spread of fire. | Photo: comp-pro.ru.

Sword - a long and versatile edged weapon, which is capable of applying to an enemy and stabbing, and chopped wounds. The length of the majority of swords is about 100 cm. It looks like a narrow sword, with sufficiently flexible blade. Crowned by the construction of a straight handle with pommel and (usually) an elaborate hilt, which protects the hand and fingers fencer from damage. Usually sword weight does not exceed 1.5 kg.

Very quickly, the sword shared military and civilian. | Photo: forest-home.ru.
Very quickly, the sword shared military and civilian. | Photo: forest-home.ru.

There was a sword with the beginning of the spread of firearms in Europe and the phasing out of heavy chain mail and plate armor. This happened due to the fact that the need for large and heavy sword was gone. The pioneer in this field was the Spain, where swords have been widely used in 1460-ies.

instagram viewer

>>>Ideas for life | NOVATE.RU<<<

In a real fight in the war soldiers waving a sword, as it turns out. | Photo: vanda-maciejewska.fechtmeister.ru. Advertising.
In a real fight in the war soldiers waving a sword, as it turns out. | Photo: vanda-maciejewska.fechtmeister.ru. Advertising

Swords were widely used prior to the start of the XVIII century, as in the infantry, and the cavalry regiments. In the end, it completely replaced the swords and sabers. At the same time, at the dawn of its inception sword split into two types. The first is most often used the "civilian" who were allowed to carry arms (nobles and later the bourgeoisie). The second sample was used in the army. "Civilian" version weighed less and sharpened only at the end of the tip.

So sword or rapier?

Rapier - this is easy, originally a civil version of the weapons for the nobility, sharpened only on the tip. | Photo: popgun.ru.
Rapier - this is easy, originally a civil version of the weapons for the nobility, sharpened only on the tip. | Photo: popgun.ru.

There is a deep-rooted assertion that the foil is only suitable for stabbing and sword in turn can strike different types. From this, many have concluded that these are two different kinds of knives. In fact it is the same weapon. The fact is that in Spain the first sword called «espadas roperas», which literally translates as meaningless (in Russian) "rapier sword."

Sword - is a military weapon, heavier blade which tochilos throughout. | Photo: gregforge.com.ua.
Sword - is a military weapon, heavier blade which tochilos throughout. | Photo: gregforge.com.ua.

Subsequently Rapier became known as a lightweight "civilian" version of the sword. Such weapons have tried to make an easy, beautiful and refined. It is not well suited for a real battle, and it was rather an attribute of nobility. Army foils were severe enough to swing or in any configuration, because in a real fight about any "technique Fencing" speech more often than not going.

Ultimately, heavy sword came out of the military affairs of Europe, remained in the tradition only as a ceremonial weapon. And they had the easiest rapier, which after some time become more and sports equipment.

>>>Ideas for life | NOVATE.RU<<<

I would like to learn even more interesting about the weapon? Then here, sniper rifle SVLK-14C "Twilight," which hits the target at 4 km sufficiently experienced sniper-wise.
A source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/310319/49951/