Descended from the 18th century small sword, the foil has a thin, flexible blade with a square cross-section and a small bell guard. The foil is a thrusting weapon. Offensive actions with this weapon are made therefore with the point and with the point only. The target at foil excludes the limbs and the head. It is confined to the torso, the upper limit being the collar up to 6 cm above the prominences of the collar bones; at the sides to the seams of the sleeves, which should cross the head of the humerus; and the lower limit following a horizontal line across the back joining the tops of the hip bones, thence by straight lines to the junction of the lines of the groin. Foil technique emphasizes strong defense and the killing attack to the body.
Similar to the duelling swords of the late 19th century, epees have stiff blades with a triangular cross section, and large bell guards. The épée is a thrusting weapon. Offensive actions with this weapon are made therefore with the point and with the point only. Touches are scored with the point, anywhere on the opponent. 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.
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. The target comprises any part of the body above a horizontal line drawn between the top of the folds formed by the thighs and by the trunk of the fencer when in the on-guard position. Sabre technique emphasises speed, feints, and strong offense. |
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FOIL 
ÉPÉE (pronounced "EPP-pay") 
SABRE