[NinjaFerret]

Oooh. This is interesting. I do sport fencing. I have some fanatical friends who are very much immersed in theatrical and Renaissance (sp?) fencing. I think the primary difference between broadsword and the smaller rapier-like weapons is that if you were fighting with a broadsword, the object was to kill your oponent which probably included getting through armor. <P>Epee was a dueling weapon and the point (pun intended) was to draw first blood. Sabre was a cavalry weapon, and the object there was to decapitate your oponent. Foil was actually a weapon intended to kill, but was not intended to pierce armor. <P>It sounds like in order to fence broadsword, you needed brute strength, but for the three modern weapons, it is more quickness and brains that triumph.<P>May your luck exceed the stench of your oxters.