We in Klassisches Fechten Soest have long been aware of discussion about
suitable equipment for traditional fencing.  For some time now, Chevalier
d'Auvergne of Paris has been our preferred--but not required--supplier for foil
and epee blades after testing alternatives for over two years.The KFS armory has
developed a cost-effective French foil using Chevalier d’Auvergne blades and
carefully selected parts from other vendors.  With a perfect balance and a grip
more like those of the past but less expensive than antique replicas, it
achieves handling characteristics superior to the commonplace foils of organized
competition. It is the ideal training sword for both the beginning and advanced
fencer. We do not yet make it commercially available, since anybody with common
sense can make one.  As for clothing, our Welcome webpage reproduces a portrait
of a belle epoque fencer with street clothes and chest protector.  Frankly,
the standard uniform of jacket with croissard and knickers--white or black--is a
product of bureaucratically organized competititon.  Variants such as tunics
are spinoffs from pop culture notions of swordsmanship.  Our Protocols
currently specify the white uniform as a concession to currently accepted
practice when we fence others more attuned to the demands of contemporary
image.  However, my favorite outfit is blue jeans, an old Washington
University, St. Louis sweatshirt, and a chest protector or canvas plastron.  I
fence in the shoes or boots du jour.  Our position on clothing is exactly that
of our position with respect to rules: Our Protocols draw on the 400-year-long
development of fencing theory in northwestern Europe, and people usually didn't
gussy up in that period to make the statement, "I am a fencer."  Domenico
Angelo's fencers didn't suit up.  European fencing was very diverse before
bureaucratically organized competition.  Diversity should be recovered. Another
leading classical fencing group in Germany, TV Passau, has also rejected the FIE
and established rules solidly based on Neapolitan dueling tradition, yet require
FIE gear.  We strongly support them in this endeavor all the same.   We
insist on a conversation of traditions on the fencing strip and don't fret if a
jacket collar makes us itch or if someone wears what they want.  Our blades,
though, are in our view the best in the world. 

Bill Leckie
flanconade@... 
 



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