Update 11/11/09: Nerf has added a new sword to their N-force lineup: the Marauder Long Sword! Here it is with a size comparison to the Katana:

Today’s post is sponsored by All-American Fencing Academy. Dime-store toy swords are everywhere nowadays, but they tend to be either too stiff to use safely or too floppy to parry. Here’s a look at fencing toys, past and present.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen a foam noodle used as a practice sword. There’s a local club that uses home-made ones for training kids, I believe it’s a plastic PVC tube with a half a noodle stuck on the end. It can be trimmed to the right size and is stiff enough to use as a point weapon. I haven’t seen their use in class, however, so I’m not sure of their specific usage.
The new Nerf N-force swords get points for style:
Possibly an improvement over the old Nerf Fencing:
Of course there’s always the good ol’ Triplette Wacky Wackers. Suitable only for sabre, however.

But the closest thing to the “real deal” has got to be the Leon Paul Mini Fence set. They have plastic masks, and weapons available in either foam or plastic.

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