Fencing equipment

Blade

The hitting part of a sword from the guard to the point.

Chest guard

Used to protect the chest.

Epee

A thrusting sword descended from the duelling sword, similar in length to a foil but heavier, with a larger guard and a much stiffer blade.

"Fil de corps"

Foible

The weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point.

Foil

A thrusting sword with a flexible rectangular blade and a smaller guard than the epee.

Grip

The handle of a sword; also called the "hilt".

Gloves

Guard

The part of a sword between the blade and handle that protects the duelling hand.

Hilt

The handle of a sword; also called the "grip".

Mask

Piste

French for the field of play where a fencing bout occurs; also called a "strip".

Point

The end of the blade, which must touch the opponent's target area to score a point.

Rapier

A thrusting sword with an elaborate hilt and a long, slender, pointed blade, developed in the 16th century and the precursor to the epee.

Sabre

The modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, similar in length and weight to the foil but able to cut with the blade as well as hit with the point.

Strip

The field of play where a fencing bout occurs; also called a "piste".

(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)