[net.physics] Fencing, anyone?

jwl@ucbvax.ARPA (James Wilbur Lewis) (03/20/85)

This came up yesterday in a fencing class that I'm taking...it started a
fairly interesting discussion and maybe someone out there can help us
answer this question:

Sometimes it's necessary to bend the blade of a foil back to its proper
shape.  Our instructor said the best way to do this is by stepping on the
blade, then bending the blade and drawing it rapidly between your
shoe and the floor several times. (Kind of hard to explain without pictures,
sorry about that!)  She said the reason for doing it this way is to
warm up the blade so that it doesn't break.  

The question: is the temperature change large enough to have this effect on
a steel blade?  It does get quite warm, but certainly the change is on the
order of tens of degrees.  

If the temperature change is insignificant, then why bend the blade this
particular way? (Apparently just about everyone learns this technique;
there must be *some* advantage!)

so how about it, net.physicists?  I, and the rest of the class, anxiously
await your responses!

-- Jim Lewis
   U.C. Berkeley
   ...ucbvax!jwl   UUCP
   jwl@ucbernie    ARPA
   hoser@ucbcmsa   Bitnet

iles@hplabs.UUCP (03/21/85)

I was taught to bend a blade that way just because it is an easy way
to curve the whole blade (or the whole 1/2 - 1/3 of the blade).  There
was no mystery physics involved, but try to evenly apply that much pressure
all along the blade any other way--you can't do it with your hands.

iles@hplabs.UUCP (03/21/85)

I was taught to bend a blade that way just because it is an easy way
to curve the whole blade (or the whole 1/2 - 1/3 of the blade).  There
was no mystery physics involved, but try to evenly apply that much pressure
all along the blade any other way--you can't do it with your hands.

I don't think the temperature change is signifigant.  When you score
with a foil, you can bend the blade rather considerably, and it will
not break.  This would seem to negate the temperature argument.

- Dan Lieman
  iles%hplabs.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa
  hplabs!iles
  
  or, for you berkeley persons, mail to me at :c50pb-bt@agate, but PLEASE
          make the subject "To Dan."  Thanks.