Épée

In addition to the larger "bell" guard and blade, the épée weighs more than the foil and sabre which contributes to its reputation of being the slowest form of fencing.

In the highest-level competitions, an electrically grounded (earthed) piste is used to prevent floor hits from registering as touches.

A special aspect of the épée discipline is the counterattack, a tactic employed in response to an attack.

A modern épée, of size 5, for use by adult fencers has a blade that measures 90 cm (35 in) from the guard to the tip.

Wires may run down a groove in épée blades fitted for electric scoring, with a depressible button capping the point.

[3] The guard has numerous forms, but all are essentially a hemispherical shield, the section of which fits in a 10–13.5 cm (3.9–5.3 in) cylinder.

The guard, blade, and handle of the épée are all grounded to the scoring box to prevent hits to the weapon from registering as touches.

A "body cord" with a three-pronged plug at each end is placed underneath the fencer's clothing and attached to the connector in the guard, then to a wire leading to the scoring box.

The scoring box signals with lights (one for each fencer) and a tone each time the tip is depressed.

During competitions, fencers are required to have a minimum of two weapons and two body wires in case of failure or breakage.

[citation needed] Under this provision, it became sufficient to inflict a minor nick on the wrist or other exposed area on the opponent in order to win the duel.

This resulted in emphasis on light touches to the arm and hand, while downplaying hits to the torso (chest, back, groin).

Non-electric weapons are now typically used only for practice, generally fitted with plastic buttons or solid "dummy points".

Harmenberg won the World Fencing Championships and the Olympic gold medal using this strategic approach, built on what he called the "Sollee conjectures" or the "three conjectures":[7] They credited the system for helping Harmenberg close the fencing distance, use absence of blade with destructive parries to prevent opponents from their own strongest moves, and pushing them into attacking high – a prerequisite for Harmenberg using his own strongest move.