Forte (fencing) Forte (fencing) In fencing, forte (from the Romance root meaning "strong") is "the strong part" of the blade—the one third-closest to the hilt. The "strength" refers to the control established over the opponent's weapon upon contact of one's forte with the opponent's foible (a situation of favourable leverage). (See also parry (fencing).) Fencer Ridolfo Capo Ferro defined the forte as the blade from the hilt to the middle. From the middle to the top is known as the debole. The debole is the part of the sword, especially a rapier, that is used for offensive actions. Italian fencing master Ridolfo
Parry (fencing) which a semicircular motion is used to make a parry from the opposite side from the attack. Because sabre parries defend against both cuts (with the edge) as well as thrusts (with the point), the sabre parries are slightly different from the corresponding épée or foil parries. Parry (fencing) A parry is a fencing bladework maneuver intended to deflect or block an incoming attack. To execute a parry, fencers strike the opponent's foible, or the area near the tip of the blade, with their forte, or the part of the blade near the bell guard (or handle) of the weapon.