Section 2: Equipment
2.1 Weapons
Each weapon has precise FIE specifications governing weight, length, blade profile, and electrical components:
- Foil: Maximum total weight 500 g (17.6 oz). Maximum overall length 110 cm (43.3 in). Flexible rectangular-section blade. The blade terminates in a spring-loaded button (pointe d'arrêt) requiring a minimum of 500 g (4.9 N) of depression force to register a touch. The bell guard is small and round, not exceeding 12 cm in diameter.
- Épée: Maximum total weight 770 g (27.2 oz). Maximum overall length 110 cm. Stiffer triangular-section (V-shaped) blade. The spring-loaded button requires a minimum of 750 g (7.35 N) of depression force — heavier than foil to reduce accidental registrations. The bell guard is larger (up to 13.5 cm diameter) to protect the weapon hand, which is a valid target.
- Sabre: Maximum total weight 500 g (17.6 oz). Maximum overall length 105 cm (41.3 in). Flat, V-shaped blade that can score with the entire cutting edge, the flat, and the point. The guard curves around the knuckles (sabre guard) and connects to the pommel, forming the electrical circuit for the hand. No spring-loaded tip — any contact with the blade registers.
2.2 Mask
The mask is the most critical piece of safety equipment. FIE-homologated masks must withstand a 12 kg (1600 N) punch test applied to the mesh. The mesh is constructed of stainless steel wire with a maximum aperture of 2.1 mm. For foil, the mask bib is non-conductive (bib is off-target). For sabre, the entire mask including the metallic mesh and conductive bib forms part of the valid target area and is wired into the scoring circuit. Épée masks have a non-conductive bib since the head is valid target regardless. All masks must display the FIE hologram for international competition.
2.3 Protective Clothing
- Jacket: Must cover the torso and arms to the wrists. FIE-level jackets must resist 800 N of penetration force (CE Level 2). The jacket includes a strap (croissard) that passes between the legs to prevent the jacket from riding up.
- Plastron (Underarm Protector): A mandatory half-jacket worn beneath the fencing jacket on the weapon-arm side. Provides an additional layer of 800 N protection over the most vulnerable area where a broken blade could penetrate.
- Breeches (Knickers): Knee-length trousers fastened below the knee, overlapping the jacket by at least 10 cm at the waist. Must also meet 800 N resistance.
- Chest Protector: A rigid or semi-rigid plastic protector worn under the plastron. Mandatory for all women competitors; strongly recommended for men.
- Glove: Padded glove on the weapon hand, covering the forearm for approximately half its length. In sabre, the glove cuff must be conductive and connected to the lamé to form part of the valid target area.
- Long Socks and Fencing Shoes: Socks must cover the leg up to the bottom of the breeches. Fencing shoes have reinforced soles and lateral support for lunging.
2.4 Lamé (Conductive Over-Vest)
Foil and sabre require a conductive lamé worn over the jacket to define the valid target area electronically:
- Foil lamé: Covers the torso (front, sides, and back) and the groin flap. When the foil tip depresses against the lamé, it completes a circuit that illuminates the colored (on-target) light on the scoring box.
- Sabre lamé: Covers everything above the waist — torso, both arms to the wrists, and connects to the conductive mask and glove cuff. Any blade contact with this conductive surface registers an on-target touch.
- Épée: No lamé is worn. The entire body is valid, and the épée tip registers against any grounded surface (the opponent's clothing or body).
2.5 Electrical Apparatus
- Body Cord: A wire running from the weapon, through the fencer's sleeve and jacket, connecting to a spring-loaded reel at the end of the piste. Two-pin connector for épée (detecting weapon circuit and ground); three-pin connector for foil and sabre (adding lamé circuit).
- Scoring Reel: A spring-loaded cable reel at each end of the piste that maintains electrical connection while allowing free movement. The reel pays out and retracts cable as the fencer advances and retreats.
- Scoring Box (Apparatus): The central electronic unit that detects circuit completion and displays touches via colored lights. On-target touches illuminate a colored light (red or green, one per fencer). In foil, off-target touches illuminate a white light. The box also manages timing lockout (40 ms in foil and sabre; 25 ms in épée for double-touch detection).
- Wireless Scoring: FIE-approved wireless systems may replace body cords and reels at international competitions. These systems use radio-frequency transmission and must meet the same timing and sensitivity specifications as wired apparatus.