The foil is a thrust weapon. You are trying to score touches anywhere on the opponent’s torso, including groin, chest and back. The arms, hands, legs and head are not in play. The foil should not be used to slash, hit, or whip your opponent.* (In general slashing, hitting, or whipping another living being isn’t advisable.) Here’s a video on how to hold the foil correctly.
These are highly decorated practice foils and may not be of acceptable quality to use at Portland State University’s Fencing Club classes. You’d have to ask them. They could certainly be a lot of fun at summer barbecues or in the hands of siblings of a certain age.
Angry Beaver grabbed them because of their association with the upper classes. And he’s sure that he read somewhere that through fencing you can acquire the reflexes and timing of a boxer, the muscle tone of a gymnast, the strategic abilities of a chess master, the thick hair of a husky, that virile feeling you sometimes get when you take too much meth, and beauty like Nicole Kidman’s (including its earning power). And your sweat will smell like Chanel #5.
You’ve got to give Angry Beaver credit for being an optimistic confused beast.
—
*Apologies to people who actually engage in this sport and know the rules.
