As a thrusting weapon, the epee is similar to a foil (contrasted with a
sabre, which is designed for slashing). It has a stiffer blade than a
foil; it is triangular in cross-section with a V-shaped groove called a
fuller. The epee also has a larger bell guard and weighs more. The
techniques of their use somewhat different, as there are no rules
regarding priority and right of way, thus immediate counterattacks are a
common feature of épée fencing. In addition, the entire body is a valid
target area.
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A foil is one of the three weapons used in the sport of fencing, all of
which are metal. It is flexible, rectangular in cross section, and
weighs under a pound. As with the épée, points are only scored by
contact with the tip, which, in electrically scored tournaments, is
capped with a spring-loaded button to signal a touch. A foil fencer's
uniform features the lamé (a vest, electrically wired to record hits).
The foil is the most commonly used weapon in competition.
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The sabre is one of the three disciplines of modern fencing. The sabre
weapon is for thrusting and cutting with both the cutting edge and the
back of the blade (unlike other modern fencing weapons, the épée and
foil, where the methods of making a hit are scored using the point of
the blade).
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