How is classical fencing different from sport fencing?

• Maestro Martínez answers that question here on his web site. • Joshua Kronengold (mneme@mcny.com) wrote: Classical fencing is the tradition and style of European fencing invented in the 19th century. It emphasizes respect for the blade, honor, and treating the art of fencing as what it should be, a martial art, not a sport. Because of these roots, certain artifacts of the USFA are disdained, not necessarily because they are "modern", but because they are contrary to the goals and roots of classical fencing. Flicks, fleches, and pistol grips are disallowed (and ineffective) because they are suicidal in a true fencing bout, even in foil, which is maintained as a training ground for the more realistic forms. Scoring machines are likewise disliked because they provide an objective (and inaccurate) method of scoring which, in the USFA, has largely replaced the need for judgement which is developed by judging fencing matches, and required in order to be a good fencer, not to mention the ...  more