I don't commonly create complete fencing foils because of the time involved in working even the better raw blades sold today into what I would want to use in competition. Lately, however, a number of fellow fencers have inquired about purchasing complete weapons so I thought I would develop a more classical French foil that would meet their needs and still meet the standards that I would want in my own fencing weapons.
Pictured above is a commissioned custom foil using a French grip. The blade is an SG premium blade but has been worked to the dimensions of a 1960's French Prieur blade that I have in my collection. Because blades are tempered, heating is an issue when a blade is abrasively reduced. I work my blades in batches of six to twelve, minimizing heating and allowing plenty of cooling time before a blade is worked again.
The guard I've selected is a jewel all by itself. Cast in brass, it's in the style of the German Figure 8 and was obtained from Andrew Chin of Salle Saint-George in Seattle. The guard is backed with thick leather cowhide.
The grip is traditional French foil design. It is hand made of Poplar and the width, depth and length are set to the buyer's preference. It is wrapped with single, hardened black cord. I have found this cord to be extremely durable and provides an excellent purchase in competition use.
The end of the grip is covered with a countersunk brass ferrule to protect the wood as the pommel is tightened. The ferrule is sized to match the pommel.
The pommel, also in brass, is inspired by and based on the research of Benjamin Bowles of Benjamin Arms. I created mine in brass to match the guard. Ben Bowles has a new catalog of weapons that accurately follow the designs and preferences of past fencing masters and he has been very generous in sharing his research with me.
The custom touch on the end of the pommel was a request by the buyer. It's the first time I've ever used a boring bar in the making of a pommel. On a metal lathe, the cut can be made so accurately that the Fleur-De-Lis emblem is actually tightly "press fit" into the bored opening. Industrial emblem adhesive was used to prevent unseating under hard use.
