Opinion Time!

[awanderingbard]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what flavour of fencing Sherlock Holmes might pursue? Foil, epée or sabre? I've done some research on wiki because I don't know much about fencing and I've watched the different types on youtube, but I'm still a bit unsure as to which one he'd prefer. I know in the original stories he is a 'singlestick' player, which seems to be a practice sword for the sabre, but the sabre fencing seems less about defense than offense and more about flying at each other and trying to hit than fending off attacks. The epée style was created to make it feel more like a 'real' duel, but the foil fencing looks to be more what a pirate would use, which we all know Sherlock wanted to be.

Anyone out there more familliar with the sport to know what would suit him best? Whatever would require the most concentration and cleverness to be good at, I suppose. Or does anyone know if it actually states anywhere which style Holmes uses in the stories?

Comments

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

I know next to nothing about fencing. I wasn't even aware that there were different types so I can't give a knowledgeable opinion.

From a character point of view, I would think Sherlock dabbles in all three forms. As in, if he had to give a demo or list the rules, he could do all three and have moderate skill with the epee, foil, and sabre. If he was going to lean toward one, based on your descriptions I'd say that he'd be best physically with the sabre.

It fits the classic!Holmes canon as well as the idea that modern!Sherlock is aggressive and can actually strategize to attack very well under pressure in that calculating, cold sort of way.

I also amuse myself with the idea that he'd be less good at foil fencing because he would get too caught up in the fun of it (probably because in the deepest, darkest part of his mind he imagines himself as a pirate which can get distracting with all the joy he gets out of that image).

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I like your reasoning ma'am. Especially him pretending to be a pirate in his head.

Taking a closer look, the épée (hey, the iPad automatically adds accents for me, thanks iPad) style seems to require the most concentration and speed, as your whole body is vulnerable instead of just your chest, so you have to be on guard all over. The story I'm writing needs him to be in just one discipline (it's an AU I'm trying to write for a prompt that I keep alternating between 'this is a cool idea' and 'wtf am I doing?'), so I am tentatively leaning toward that. But I am totally knicking your vision for regular 'verse as required.

I seem to remember someone mentioning there being a foil in Sherlock's room as part of the decor, bit I don't know if it's visible or if you could tell what sort it was. The decorators seem very detail oriented, so I'm sure they would have chosen it carefully, if it's there.