AFF Competitions

Page content: Protective clothing : Blades : Weapons control

Like NSWFA competitions, all AFF tournaments are fenced using electrical apparatus and require full fencing uniform. A description of items (with photos) is available on the Equipment Requirements - NSWFA pages.

However, at the AFF level, all protective clothing and blades must meet with the standards set by the FIE - this is a higher standard than is required at NSWFA competitions.

All AFF tournaments have a Weapons Control, to which equipment must be presented for approval before it may be used at the tournament.

Protective clothing

The FIE has set minimum standards for all competitions, based on the degree of resistance (measured in newtons) offered by the items. Equipment manufacturers submit sample items to the FIE for approval. When an item is approved, it may bear an FIE logo. The manufacturer will normally incorporate the FIE approval into their own logo, and will display it on the exterior of the items. The logo will also state the level of resistance (in newtons) offered by the item.

For AFF tournaments, the following protective equipment is required:

FIE approved mask, with elastic at back and 1600 newton resistant bib.

FIE approved jacket and breeches, resistant to 800 newtons.

FIE approved underplastron, resistant to 800 newtons.

(Note that some older masks may be only 800 newtons, and some older items of clothing may be only 350 newtons: these are no longer acceptable for AFF events.)

Blades

Foil and epee

The FIE also approves foil and epee blades. The FIE logo is stamped into the forte of the blade, just above the tang, so it is immediately behind the guard of an assembled weapon.

Sabre

Sabre blades do not bear an FIE logo. However, they do have to display an S2000 marking on the forte of the blade, immediately behind the guard of an assembled weapon.

The "S2000" indicates that the blade passes the required standard of rigidity. If Weapons Control personnel feel that a blade has become less rigid with age, they are within their rights to apply an approved test to the blade, and to fail it if it does not pass the test.

Weapons control

All necessary equipment must be approved by Weapons Control at the tournament. Once approved, equipment will be marked: referees will usually check equipment for Weapons Control marks at the start of a fencer's first bout. Presenting to the strip with equipment that does not bear Weapons Control marks is a Black Card offence.

It is usual for Weapons Control to check the following:
- Masks for safety (and conductivity, in the case of sabre)
- Lame jackets for conductivity (foil and sabre only)
- Gauntlets/golves for conductivity (sabre only)
- Bodywires (for conductivity)

Details of Weapons Control times are included in the tournament timetable. It is usual for Weapons Control to be open the evening before the first event, and then at least one hour before every event in the tournament.