A lower flex point may make the blade feel spongy, slow, or tip-heavy, but may also indicate a stronger foible that is more durable and less easily dominated. Blades that feel heavy in the tip often provide better point control, while those that are light in the tip often make for faster parries. Shorter blades are somewhat lighter and quicker of action, and can be useful for children, fencers who prefer the lighter balance, or those who often provoke infighting in which a long blade can be disadvantageous. Fencers who are gentle with their blades and clean, sand, or oil them regularly may nevertheless find them to be a good value.
Blades typically break at the flex point in the foible.
Other serious modes of failure include sharp bends in the middle of the blade and S-bends in the foible, both of which are difficult to remove and will rapidly lead to fatiguing and eventual breaking of the blade. They are mandatory in many high-level competitions. Many fencers find them a superior value, in spite of their high price. As they vary in character in the same way as regular blades, similar caution should be exercised when purchasing them. Maraging epee blades are also available, although there are alternative steels that have also received FIE certification.