Are Fencing swords dangerous?

Question

I'm talking about normal everyday fencing swords. Also if they are, would anyone be able to hurt people or would it be just strong people?

(This is for a book I'm writing)

Answer 1

You could put an eye out with that thing!

Why do you think they wear those mesh faced helmets?

Answer 2

In your scenario, there are several workable options.  Foils and sabers have blades that are pretty flexible.  This would allow them to be "flicked", or "whipped" with a wrist snap to cause a sharp impact with the blunted "edge" of the blade.  Such an action would cause quite a lot of pain, and may even break the skin.  

This technique would work well against the hostage taker's wrist or hand to make him drop his weapon.  A hard thrust into a pressure point could also gain the same results.  For a thrust, an epee blade would work better since it is stiffer than a foil or saber.  A flick will also work with an epee as well, so if you were to use both ( a flick to the wrist to make them drop the weapon, followed up by several rapid thrusts to pressure points to temporarily disable them, I'd go with the epee.

Answer 3

if you're talking about a foil, then yes they can be dangerous, but not for the reason people here are claiming. The plastic tips on foils are cheap and wear through easily and the blade itself will only flex so far. I got pierced in the thigh with a foil during practice in high school through a pair of pants. As for the blunt tip, it's the same principle as a target arrow. It can still pierce with sufficient force.

Answer 4

Even with the blunt end, swung fast enough they can slice fairly easily.  As already said, why would they wear so much padding otherwise.

Answer 5

they can be dangerous if used without safety.

however there is a blunt tip on the foil so that it bends rather than piercing.