Fencing foil

Made:
circa 1996 in London

Fencing foil and six stages in its manufacture, from steel blank to the finished weapon. Made by Leon Paul, c. 1996

This object represents the stages in the manufacturing process of a standard, entry-level fencing foil, from an unworked length of carbon steel to the finished weapon. This particular example was made by fencing equipment manufacturer Leon Paul, but the process is widely used.

Leon Paul Equipment is a British company specialising in the design, production and sale of fencing equipment. The company was founded in 1921 by master fencer Leon Paul and is based in London, where they manufacture almost all of their products. Leon Paul support Olympic fencing, sponsoring over 200 athletes internationally, and four international fencing federations. They also supply equipment to the Olympic Games, and in 1996 invented the sectional aluminium piste that is now used as standard at all major fencing events.

Details

Category:
Metallurgy
Object Number:
2020-392
Materials:
steel and aluminium
type:
fencing foil

Parts

Blank made of 47EN carbon steel

Blank made of 47EN carbon steel

Blank made of 47EN carbon steel, cut to length. This is the first stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul.

Measurements:
overall: 845 mm x 6 mm .2 g
Materials:
carbon steel
Object Number:
2020-392/1
type:
blank stage
Forging stage

Forging stage

This is the second stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul. The hilt end of the carbon steel bar has been forged and one end rounded. Decreasing the diameter has increased the length.

Measurements:
overall: 854 mm x 6 mm .23 g
Materials:
carbon steel
Object Number:
2020-392/2
type:
forging stage
Upsetting stage

Upsetting stage

This is the third stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul. Known as the 'upsetting' stage, the blade is put between two electrodes which heat it locally and the bottom part of the rod is pushed upwards to fatten it.

Measurements:
overall: 770 mm x 12 mm .24 g
Materials:
carbon steel
Object Number:
2020-392/3
type:
upsetting stage
Grounding stage

Grounding stage

This is the fourth stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul. The steel blade is ground to fit the forging coil. This gets rid of the rough edges caused by the previous stage, 'upsetting'.

Measurements:
overall: 770 mm x 10 mm .25 g
Materials:
carbon steel
Object Number:
2020-392/4
type:
grounding stage
Hot forging stage

Hot forging stage

This is the fifth stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul. The blade is hot forged to the required tapered profile, which elongates it again, prior to grinding, heat treatment and further, final, grinding.

Measurements:
overall: 1100 mm x 8 mm .25 g
Materials:
carbon steel
Object Number:
2020-392/5
type:
hot forging stage
Fencing foil

Fencing foil

This is the sixth and final stage in the production of a fencing foil made by Leon Paul. The button, guard, martingale, handle and pommel are added to the blade to give the complete weapon.

Measurements:
overall: 1120 mm x 130 mm .36 g
Materials:
carbon steel and leather
Object Number:
2020-392/6
type:
adding stage