Types

• Equipment necessary for practicing the sport of fencing include a protective face mask, a fencing glove for the hand that holds the weapon, a fencing jacket with groin protection, fencing shoes and one or more types of fencing weapons. Most fencing academies will not take on students who do not have all of this necessary and essential gear. Participants may also choose to purchase a special fencing bag to store equipment, fencing pants and other practice gear that is not required.
  
  

Mask Sub-Types

• There are three types of fencing masks that correspond to the weapons with which they will be used. Epee masks have bibs that cover the collarbones to prevent injury from the epee (sword) itself. Heavy insulation covers foil masks to prevent actual touches to the head. Sabre masks allow touches to the head, as they are often conductive and attached to an electronic point counter.
  
  

Weapon Sub-types

• Three main sword classes exist in fencing-- foil, epee and sabre. The lightweight foil weighs less than a pound and measures 35 inches in length. The epee, thicker and not as flexible as the foil, weighs only 5 ounces shy of 2 pounds. The sabre descends from the cavalry sword used for slashing. Similar in length and weight to the epee, it is differentiated by the fact that its blade edge as well as the point can be used for scoring.
  
  

Gear Care

• The inside of masks should be wiped clean of sweat after each use. Fencing jackets and pants should be washed alone in warm water with bleach. Keep weapons from rusting by never storing them with sweaty fencing whites and wiping them down after each use. If they rust anyway, fine steel wool can be used to remove the rust. Alternatively, special blades with high nickel content can be purchased for a small cost increase. The nickel prevents rust formation.
  
  

Considerations

• A beginner set of fencing gear that includes a front zip jacket, three weapon mask, glove and foil will cost about $150 as of April 2010. The purchase of other types of weapons will cost considerably more, and leather fencing shoes cost approximately $60. These costs along with tuition, an optional carrying case and a second pair of fencing whites can make the sport an expensive hobby.