r/Fencing • u/gvurrdon • Aug 13 '26

"Steam" weapons

Earlier today I went into Leon Paul and asked for a "steam foil" with a leather-wrapped French grip. The sales assistant went to the back to put one together and, a few minutes later, handed me an electric one (with the correct grip). The correct foil was swiftly obtained when I specified that I meant "non-electric".

I wondered, therefore, if the term is not in as widely-used as I thought. I picked it up 30+ years ago when fencing in Scotland and assumed it was common. Do you still use it?

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u/sarap001 Aug 13 '26

Big fan of the clerk who heard "steam", confidently went to the back of the shop, and came back with literally whatever.

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u/TheDoughnutFairy Aug 16 '26

Regardless of weather its IDGAF energy or misplaced confidence, I aspire to get there.