Abstract: A sword blade is formed of a rib (3) connected by stress concentration studs (19) to a pair of extension strips (2), so that the moment of inertia of the cross section of the rib, with respect to a plane of inertia (x'-x) passing through the concentration studs, is equal that of the strips, all along the length of the sword. The concentration studs concentrate stress in the blade and are deformed and break, thus alerting the user to discard the sword, end faces (10b, 14a) of the rib and extension strips are formed parallel to the plane of inertia, for distribution stress across these faces, to prevent the starting of cracks causing the sword to break.

Abstract: A fencing sword, especially an epee or a foil, whose blade is provided with at least one groove defining a strain concentration zone, dimensioned to rupture longitudinally to separate two longitudinal parts of the blade from one another so that, with subsequent impacts, there is a change in the nature of the sound generated by impact. The rupture occurs when the metal fatigue reaches a point at which transverse rupture might be expected so that the sound change can inform the user of the need to discard the blade.