What you need to know about bodywires

A bodywire is a cable designed to pass through the sleeve of a fencer's jacket. For "electric" matches, that is to say matches fought using a scoring machine, the bodywire is used to establish the electrical connection between the weapon and the scoring machine.

Like many other things in the world of fencing, bodywires are unique to each weapon. There are foil and sabre bodwires, which are identical and interchangeable, and epee bodywires.

Types of connectors

Epee wires have an identical connector at both ends. Sabre and foil wires actually have three ends. At the back we find the same connector as for epee wires, on the weapon-end is either a 2-pin or a bayonet connector, and the third end is a clip that attaches to the conductive jacket.

The 2-pin and bayonet connectors have exactly the same function. Aside from the fact that the socket in the weapon must match the type of connector, the two are interchangeable for foil and sabre. However, you should know that with regards to the FIE regulations (which are applied during international tournaments), bayonet connectors are no longer accepted in tournaments. That being said, they are still accepted in provincial and national tournaments in Canada. Several clubs in Quebec still use the bayonet socket to this day. See our Rules FAQ for more information.

The FIE (Fédération Internationale d'Escrime) has also established that as of September 2020, bodywires used during international tournaments must have transparent connectors. As with bayonet connectors, opaque, colored connectors are accepted in provincial and national tournaments in Canada. See our Rules FAQ for more information.

What sets different models apart

Bodywires differ in three main aspects:

• The time between repairs
• The ease of repairing them
• The durability of the parts

Unfortunately, no bodywire on the market offers the best performance in all three aspects. You will therefore have to find the best compromise, according to the importance you give to each of these aspects. Here are some examples of the pros and cons of the different materials, designs and processes used in the design of bodywires.

Connectors can be made of solid plastic (1), rubber (2), or rubber-ended plastic (3). Solid plastic plugs are often more durable and easier to use on a daily basis, but the wires tend to break exactly where they enter the connector, since they are constantly bent over the same sharp edge. Rubber plugs do not have this issue, however the piece of plastic that holds the terminals in place is often more fragile. Solid, rubber-ended connectors offer the best of both worlds.

Some bodywires also have connectors with soldered connections, while most are screwed-in. Soldered connections ensure excellent electrical conductivity and are very durable, but require a soldering iron to repair them. Screw terminals are easy to repair with a screwdriver, but sometimes these screws can come loose.

The wires used in the manufacture of bodywire also vary. The type of alloy, the diameter of the wires, the number of strands per wire, the thickness and material of the insulation, etc. All these aspects affect their strength, resistance to bending, resistance to oxidation and corrosion, etc. The descriptions in the product page of each bodywire will inform you of the specifics of each wire. Visit the Bodywires section to see the models we offer.

Regardless of the model selected, we recommend that your bodywire brand matches the socket in your weapon. This will help increase the lifespan of your bodywire connectors, since not all manufacturers have the same tolerances for socket holes and connector sizes.

Conclusion

Each model of bodywire has its pros and cons, but even the cheapest bodywire can be durable if properly maintained and occasionally repaired. Visit the Bodywires section to see the models we offer.