Fencing notes:Glossary

Suggested further glossary items:

Cloak

Draw cut

Tip cut

Push cut

Percussive cut

Blade grasps

Abrasion-Resistant Material

Material that will withstand normal combat stresses (such as being snagged by an unbroken blade) without tearing. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• broadcloth
• a single layer of heavy poplin cloth (35% cotton, 65% polyester; "trigger" cloth)
• sweat pants
• Woven knit tights or lycra /spandex mix tights.

Nylon pantyhose and cotton gauze shirts are examples of unacceptable materials.

Puncture-Resistant Material

Any fabric or combination of fabrics that passes the Standard Fencing Armour Test set out under rule 3.2.1.5. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

• 2 mm leather
• four layers of heavy poplin cloth
• ballistic nylon rated to at least 550 Newtons
• commercial fencing clothing rated to at least 550 Newtons.

Kevlar is not an acceptable material, as it degrades rapidly.

Initially, these materials need only be tested at the marshal's discretion; all other materials must be tested the first time new equipment is used, or if no marshal on the field knows a given piece of equipment to have been tested under rule 3.1.5.

Rigid Material

Puncture-resistant materials that will not significantly flex, spread apart, or deform under pressure of 12 kg applied by a standard mask tester repeatedly to any single point. Examples of rigid material that may comply with the standard for Rigid Material are:

• 0.8 mm stainless steel 1.0 mm mild steel
• 1.6 mm aluminium, copper, or brass
• One layer of hardened heavy leather (8oz, 4 mm).
• The mesh of a standard fencing mask

Resilient Padding

Any material or combination of materials - equivalent to 6mm (0.25 inches) of closed cell foam - which absorbs some of the force of a thrust or blow. The standard padded bib of a fencing mask may meet this requirement, depending on construction.

Standard Fencing Armour Test (SFAT) (used for testing Puncture Resistant Material.)

Acceptable field inspections shall deliver a consistent force.

Tests known to be acceptable include:

• Cloth or garment manufacturer's commercial certification that a fabric is rated to 550 N. (Documentation must be available at the time of inspection.)
• Use of 550 N garment punch test devices, manufactured by sources acceptable to the Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier Combat. Such a device shall be used in accordance with its instructions.
• Use of a drop test device as described in instructions found in Appendix 3 of the Society Rapier Rules.

For all tests, if the material in question has been completely penetrated, or penetrated in more than one protective layer, it fails. If only one protective layer (where other equivalent or sturdier layers exist) has been damaged, then it passes.

Fleche

running at an opponent with rapier extended

Lists

Melee

Parrying Devices

Non-rigid parrying device

Parrying Gauntlet

Rubber band gun

Pole Weapon

Rapier (referred to as Heavy Rapier in the Society Rules)

Cut and Thrust Rapier.