Benjamin Arms Special Foil Blade

Fencing blades were historically manufactured through a combination of processes. Often the mix of silicon-enriched steel was poured into a dye to be cooled into the basic shape required. That drop forged ‘blade’ was then taken to a finishing blade maker. The blade maker would clean, shape and refine the steel to its final form. These artisans had a feeling for steel and a how the blade should handle. Each blade required their makers to turn them from something unusable to ideal; each blade required a human hand to be finished.

For two years of business we looked for perfect blades. We had the specifications in our heads and on paper, but hadn’t yet found a manufacturer to make or buy them from. We knew how good blades felt and knew we couldn’t get them. This put us off for a while. However, more clients asked us to work on their blades and we got confident in our skill.

We’re now proud to offer our Benjamin Arms’ Special foil blades. We take good quality foil blades and hone them by hand and eye. Each blade’s complete taper is ground to be even, the foible thinned out to handle feather light and flex appropriately, the tang threading ground of imperfections, the tang’s square portion filed to match the blade’s square cross-section and to be even in thickness, the overall weight significantly reduced, the blade is set with a slight downward curve to ensure consistent flex, and if requested, the tang is cut to size and canted. Benjamin Arms Specials will handle far better than any other. Machines cannot finish what an eye needs to see and a hand needs to feel.

Benjamin Arms Specials are mounted stock on some of our foil designs, and can added to any customized weapon at a reduced price.

Please note the true-ricasso Italian blade comes with NO squared section of the tang; the tang is completely rounded. Additional filing may be necessary to ensure a grip's proper fit with wood or metal splints.

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Benjamin Arms Special blades are one of a kind pieces. No two will ever handle exactly the same. These blades are designed for classical fencing. They are significantly thinner and lighter than all other blades on the market. The blade flexes as it should in the foible and is balanced for classical use. Bending the blade unnecessarily deep threatens breakage far more than most of us are used to with thicker, modern blades; they are far less forgiving of undue stress.