Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.
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Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~
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| Updated: May 24, 2005 |
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Question 10. Blade experience
How long have you used these weapons in SCA fencing?
# of Responses by Kingdom AEth. = 34/235 Anst. = 36/240 An Tir = 56/347 Art. = 12/124 Aten. = 27/460 Atl. = 60/425 Caid = 49/400 Drach. = 21/76 Eald. = 12/77 East = 46/480 Loch. = 22/120 Mer. = 27/140 Mid. = 52/640 Nor. = 25/164 Out. = 26/214 Tri. = 46/237 West = 14/70 Unk. = 2
The gist
Based on the responses:
- Fiberglass blades appeared in about 1986. Few users still like them - they enjoy the low weight, safety, and ability to create unique blades.
- Schläger, in about 1988. The most common blade. Most users are favorable or neutral toward them. A compromise in weight, shape, and expense between the Olympic blades and Del Tins.
- Del Tin, about 1993. Most users like them for the authenticity, but some find them too heavy or too floppy.
- Zamorano, about 1997. Few people have used a Zam. Most like it, but the detractors present some strong views.
- Hanwei, about 1998. Some like 'em, some don't, some are neutral. The split is fairly even.
If you KNOW different on the dates, let me know . . .
Tivar has different dates on his history page:
- Fiberglass blades must have been used for experimental combat as early as 1982, since the corresponding rules for An Tir came out in '83.
- Introduction of the Del Tin "practice rapier" blades, 1998.
Total number of responses: 567.
| N | Per | Avg exp | Top | |
| Fiberglass | 78 | 13.8% | 3.1 | 16.5 |
| Foil | 187 | 33.0% | 4.9 | 25.0 |
| Epée | 383 | 67.5% | 5.2 | 25.0 |
| Schläger | 468 | 82.5% | 4.0 | 14.5 |
| Del Tin | 233 | 41.1% | 2.8 | 10.0 |
| Zamorano | 73 | 12.9% | 1.6 | 6.0 |
| Hanwei | 129 | 22.8% | 1.1 | 5.0 |
KEY
N: Number of people who indicated that they have "any" experience with that blade type. I imposed a minimum of 1 month or 0.08 years.
Per: (N ÷ 567). How many people who took the survey indicated that they have any experience with that blade type as noted above.
Avg exp: (sum of years ÷ N). Gives the average years of experience per person with the blade type, doesn't include responses that were blank or zero.
Top: Most years of experience reported with that blade type.
Question 11
Of the blades you've used, which ones do you like, dislike, and why?
Pages of blade comments
Del Tin . Fiberglass . Hanwei . Schläger . Zamorano
Heavy blades . Light blades (epée and foil) . Miscellaneous comments
| Question 9 Weapon forms |
Question 12 "Anchorage" |
Your feedback is most welcome!
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Original page posted: October 18, 2004. Last tweaked:
July 3, 2006.
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