What Is a Lame?
A lame (pronounced "lah-MAY") is a conductive metallic jacket worn over the fencing jacket in foil and sabre. It forms a critical part of the electronic scoring system, allowing the scoring box to distinguish valid touches on the conductive target area from off-target touches. Épée fencers do not use a lame because the entire body is a valid target — no distinction between on-target and off-target touches is needed.
How Does a Lame Work?
The lame is woven from metallic fibers that conduct electricity. When an opponent's weapon tip (in foil) or edge and tip (in sabre) makes contact with the lame, it completes an electrical circuit through the body wire connected to the scoring machine. The machine registers a valid touch, displayed as a colored light. When a touch lands on an area not covered by the lame — such as the arms in foil — it registers as an off-target touch shown as a white light, which does not score a point.
Foil Lame vs Sabre Lame
A foil lame covers the torso only (front and back), matching the valid target area in foil. It does not cover the arms, head, or legs. A sabre lame covers everything above the waist including the torso and arms, because the arms are part of the valid target area in sabre. Sabre also requires a conductive bib on the mask.
Caring for Your Lame
Lames are delicate and require careful maintenance. Always hand wash only — machine washing damages the metallic fibers and destroys conductivity. Use cool water and a small amount of mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air dry flat. Never wring or twist the lame. Store it rolled loosely or hanging, and keep it away from sharp objects that can snag the metallic threads.
When to Replace Your Lame
A lame that has lost conductivity in patches will cause intermittent scoring problems — touches land but do not register, leading to frustration and potential disputes in competition. Test your lame regularly by touching the blade to various areas while connected to the scoring box. Replace it when large areas fail to conduct reliably. With proper care, a quality lame can last several years. Browse our full range of lames at klothomaiafencing.com.