This guide is for UK recreational fencing and domestic competitions (Taken from 18th edition, Jan 2018 - BRITISH FENCING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY IN FENCING). For official FIE run International competitions please see further below.

For the most up to date rules please always refer to the British Fencing safety guidelines. If outside of the UK please refer to safety guidelines from your own governing body.

Minimum Safety Standards For Clothing - UK

A) Those fencing with a size 3 or smaller (electric or non-electric) blade in Foil, Epee and Sabre. Those fencing with a size 5 non-electric Foil blade*.

350N Jacket / 350N Plastron / 350N Mask Bib / 350N Breeches (or full length trousers) / Non-FIE level glove

B) All other weapons including those fencing with a size 5 electric blade in Foil, Epee and Sabre. Non-electric size 5 Epee and Sabre

350N Jacket / 800N Plastron / 350N Mask Bib / 350N Breeches / FIE Specified Glove (Sabre only - no minimum standard glove for other weapons)

 

*Non electric foil blades does not mean dummy electric foil blades fitted with a button. To qualify for this level of clothing standard, both fencers must be using the traditional lightweight non electric foil blade as used universally before the invention of electric foil.

Minimum Safety Standards For Clothing - FIE

C) Those fencing at A-grades, Satellites, Zonal and World Championships

800N Jacket / 800N Plastron / 1600N Mask Bib / 800N Breeches / FIE Specified Glove (Sabre only - no minimum standard glove for other weapons)

Blade Sizes

A) Foil Under 14s - Size 3 / Foil Under 10s - Size 0

B) Epee Under 14s - Size 2 / Epee Under 10s - Size 0

C) Sabre Under 14s - Size 2 / Sabre Under 10s - Size 0

D) Over 14s - Size 5

Not all age group competitions require the same size blade. Please check with the competition organiser to see which size blade you need