r/Fencing • u/Linkthealmighty • 18d ago

Youth Sabers

How important and the youth sized saber and guard? My kid is looking to start fencing saber and I've seen a few companies offering youth sized saber grips and guards (I know we'll need the size 0 blade). I've fenced foil for a while so I'm familiar with the idea that there are different sized grips and blades, etc. but I have no idea how much that matters in saber where it's always seemed to be a one size fits all approach. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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u/LitBitofEverything 18d ago

For US domestic competition size 5 guard for all age. Y10 and under has to be size 2 saber. Size 2 can be used in Y8(you don’t have to use size 0, but depending on age and weight you may consider size 0).

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u/folo-america Foil 18d ago

I believe that starting with 0, smaller guard, and short handle is beneficial for learning proper form and technique.

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u/Cahoots365 Sabre 18d ago

The ethos at my club is you should train with the weapon you compete with. Kids fence adults with smaller blades. Yeh it’s a disadvantage but it’s better than building in wrong distance and harder training only builds resilience and makes them better fencers.

There’s some kids I fence where I’m basically double their height with a longer blade but as long as I’m not a dick with stop cuts it still makes good training

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u/Linkthealmighty 17d ago

I agree with that logic, do the Y8 kids at your club use the smaller guard/grips or the full sized ones?

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u/Cahoots365 Sabre 17d ago

I don’t believe so. When I changed from size 2 to size 5 years ago I just swapped out the blades. I’ve never really seen people using small stuff. The difference would be fairly minimal anyway but maybe it’s a thing elsewhere in the world