DCFC Armory Clinic on June 15 addresses changes in epee wiring requirements
ARMORY CLINIC – SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 pm, DCFC Armourer Kerry Swick will hold an armory clinic at DC Fencers Club. More details coming soon.
In the meantime, a note from Kerry:
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To all those that have panicked and to those that have not yet panicked;
The rules let’s say have been clarified in regard to how the wires are attached to the socket for epees. It is a fairly quick and easy fix in order to comply with the most current interpretation of the rules. Why the change? Good question but I suspect someone did something that required a clarification that may have stretched (cheated) the rules a little bit.
With all that said the USFA Fencing Officials Commission (FOC) has issued an official statement in regard to proper Epee wiring. Use this link to read the article; http://www.fencingofficials.org/blog/2013/05/wiring-epees/. I strongly recommend that one read the article and update their Epee connections prior to this summer’s National Championships. The rules will not be enforced prior to the start of next season. However, save yourself the aggravation of hearing it repeated over and over and comply now. I will hold an armory clinic on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 2:00 PM to go over this change. You can tackle it yourself but here are some words of caution:
1. I recommend that if your thumb pad has been notched then replace it. The rules require a thumb pad that covers the entire wire. Simply turning the pad may not solve that issue in the eyes of all referees.
2. Be very careful when removing the wires and reattaching them. They are very fragile and can break easily. If the wires become too short then a rewire is needed.
3. Make sure the tip of the insulation goes under the washer at the connection point. Referees will be looking to see that the insulation goes all the way to the connector. Be careful when tightening the connector not to break the wire or pull the insulation around to the wrong side of the connector.
All epees repaired by myself from this point on will comply with the new interpretation. It looks good from my perspective and when it is done right there is no fear of damaging the wires.
Kerry Swick
DCFC Armourer