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An analysis of the mechanical properties of fencing swords, and implications for weapon selection

Redmond et al. | Aug 24, 2026

An analysis of the mechanical properties of fencing swords, and implications for weapon selection
Image credit: Jonathan Falcon

The sword is the most important piece of equipment a fencer uses. In this study, we compared the mechanical and physical properties of two of the most common types of swords used in foil fencing.We that found that maraging steel blades had a significantly greater stiffness and were damped more effectively than low carbon steel blades. These properties affect how the blade behaves during particular maneuvers and techniques, and our findings therefore provide useful insights for fencers who want to select the optimal sword configuration to suit their personal style.

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