h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sabreurs are not meant to hit with the point or flat of the weapon - only the cutting edge running down the sabre. I concede that all three are legal hits, but it is considered bad practice to hit with any other than the cutting edge (i.e. the slightly thinner plane of the foible and forté)

I thought that there was nothing wrong with hitting with the point, although the flat of the weapon is a definite no no. The only reason people get away with it is because at the speed which hits tend to come only two people know about, and one of them is not the president.

Target area is the body above the waist, not the whole body. Hits with the point are OK - one can easily tell the non sabreur in a sabre bout as they will get one stop hit with the point and then lose the rest.

Correct, except that although hitting with the point is legal, hitting with the 'cutting edge' is better. (there are some judges who will sway against you if you just hit with the point; it lacks finesse - but if it is necessary, a good judge should see that).

Anyway, if you want to use the point, fence foil instead.

You can't hit the legs in sabre, a strike side ways on the leg is very nasty, so it is illegal.

Also, as sabre was originally a mounted weapon (you sat on a horse) anything below the waist stands a good chance of hitting your enemy's horse, which you may need later.

Wick