I seem to recall that sabre was the last of the weapons to become “electrified.” Maybe 20 years ago?
The helmet is wired as well - it’s a special helmet made of the same lame material as the vest.
I don’t know about the blades before they became electric, but I was turned off by the fact that even if you parried what would have been a blow from a real weapon, the tip of the blade would whip over and still touch you for a point. Ugh.