Yes, they are three different events. Foil and epee are very similar; both are stabbing weapons. The differences are mainly in the scoring. Foil scores only with hits to the torso, while any hit to the body with epee is legal - face (mask), throat, groin, big toe, etc. You also don't need to establish the right-of-way with epee. With foil, if you don't have the right-of-way, even though you give your opponent a good solid hit, you don't score. Saber is a slashing weapon. Other than that, I can't tell you much about it. I know absolutely nothing about Oriental sports.

 -----Original Message-----
From: RStmarie@aol.com [mailto:RStmarie@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 9:29 AM
To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] OT Fencing

Kim,  Are not foil, epee, and sabre three different sports?  And have you ever tried Kendo?  I had a friend try Kendo and he said it was like getting hit in the head with a stick, hard, frequently, until you learned how to defend yourself.  I tried foil with a friend and it is an amazing workout, like doing sprints.  Bob