# What's the difference....

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference/62411>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 18, 2001, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference/62411 "2001-04-18T11:20:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Spudo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Spudo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spudo)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference/62411/1 "2001-04-18T11:20:17Z")

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What’s the difference between a rapier, a foil and a sabre? I don’t think I have to mention I know nothing about this topic, but am just curious 🙂

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**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference/62411/2 "2001-04-18T11:46:28Z")

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You didn’t do a search first, did you?

Foil and saber are [here](http://www.bartleby.com/65/fe/fencing.html).

Rapier is [here](http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/bjm10/rapier.html).

Google, of course, is [here](http://www.google.com/).  
Foil- a light fencing sword.  
Rapier- a short pointy knifey-sword.  
Saber- a curvy fencing sword.

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**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference/62411/3 "2001-04-18T11:54:18Z")

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… there’s also a fencing equipment FAQ [right here](http://members.tripod.co.uk/swash_and_buckle/Faq1.html).

The rapier is not really used in fencing …

> [@](#):
>
> By the 18th century, the rapier had evolved to a simpler, shorter, and lighter design that was popularized in France as the small sword, or court sword. Although the small sword often had an edge, it was only to discourage the opponent from grabbing the blade, and the weapon was used exclusively for thrusting. The light weight made a more complex and defensive style possible, and the French masters developed a school based on subtlety of movement, detached parry-ripostes, and complex attacks.  
> When buttoned with a leather safety tip that resembled a flower, the small sword was known as le fleuret, and was identical in use to the modern foil (still known as le fleuret in French).

> [@](#):
>
> **Foil:** Descended from the 18th century small sword, the foil has a thin, flexible blade with a square cross-section and a small bell guard. Touches are scored with the point on the torso of the opponent, including the groin and back. Foil technique emphasizes strong defense and the killing attack to the body.
> 
> **Epee:** Similar to the duelling swords of the mid-19th century, epees have stiff blades with a triangular cross section, and large bell guards. Touches are scored with the point, anywhere on the opponent’s body. Unlike foil and sabre, there no rules of right-of-way to decide which attacks have precedence, and double hits are possible. Epee technique emphasises timing, point control, and a good counter-attack.
> 
> **Sabre:** Descended from duelling sabres of the late 19th century, which were in turn descended from naval and cavalry swords, sabres have a light, flat blade and a knuckle guard. Touches can be scored with either the point or the edge of the blade, anywhere above the opponent’s waist. Sabre technique emphasises speed, feints, and strong offense.