The foil is the number one fastest weapon in fencing. It is light and quick, handling with a grace all it's own. No other weapon in any combat sport can match its sheer speed. As a result, it makes the ideal starter weapon for a beginner. Beginners do not have strong sword handling muscles or the fine motor control to use a heavier blade with the same ease, so the light trainer helps to initially train and strengthen those muscles allowing for easier learning of the more advanced weapons. In addition, the rules for this sport are simmilar to both epee and saber. This means that a fencer can later learn the other disciplines of fencing with greater ease than if he or she learned epee and decided to switch to saber, or the vise versa. The rules are enough different that it would be needlessly dificult.

This weapon is a light sword (roughly 1lb) with a four inch bell guard and a quadrangular blade measuring 35 inches tip to guard. The cross section of the blade is that of a rectangle, evenly tapering along its entire length, to a very delicate tip. Grips come in countless varieties - however the two most common are the French and the Belgian (also known as a pistol or orthopedic grip).

The French grip allows greater finger control and dexterity at the expense of retention. A Belgian grip sacrifices control for retention. My favorite is the Belgian, but now days I use the French grip more often. Most instructors I know prefer to start new students off with the french grip so they can learn the nuances of finger play early, I prefer the Belgian for beginners because new fencers do not assume they know how to hold it. This is quite handy for teaching the proper way to hold the sword, because both are held in the same fashion. Then, when they learn to use the French, they can utilize the finger play without sacrificing form.

Erik Schlagel, December 7th, 2009
  

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