When you’re looking for good trainers specifically designed for fencing, the market doesn’t really seem to offer much choice: a few models proposed by the two giants of sportswear brands (recognisable either by an emblematic swoosh or iconic three stripes), and that’s it, right? Well, not quite: Since 2018, there is also the Razor fencing shoe, a style developed by Leon Paul in cooperation with the Anglo-Dutch brand Hi-Tec. We had them tested by Johanna, one of our employees, who is a (very active) fencer and also nurtures a deep passion for shoes. The perfect human guinea pig for the task. Read on to know all about her first impression of our new shoes. 

After more than five years, when you come back to the city where you fenced your first Olympics, it is always a special occasion that it's worth highlighting by some unique experiences. But when world class foil fencer Alex Massialas, the then youngest member of the US delegation in the 2012 London Olympics, got back to the British capital in 2018, he had a very specific plan for his visit: he didn't want it to be just any sightseeing trip, but one that fell perfectly in line with his interests. That the latter involve fencing won't come as a surprise to anybody (and for good reason, Alex earned an individual Silver medal in the Rio 2016 Olympics and is a regular in the world's top 10), but did you know that our favourite member of the US foil team is also very fond of music, especially rock'n'roll? So what else could we do except ask him to write down his experience in a travel diary...in order to offer you an unusual, yet incredibly compelling city guide to our brand's hometown? Read ahead for all the details of Alex's itinerary – the results of this have been ratified and tested by international Leon Paul employees, take our word for it.

Just when and where the lightweight foil emerged as a weapon in its own right remains an intriguing mystery in the history of fencing. Purpose-made practice swords with buttoned tips had been available since the rapier became a popular civilian sword in the 16^th century. So how did the foil develop?

December 2016, Emily & I were chasing the Northern Lights on a holiday in Iceland when I asked her to marry me. While the aurora borealis might have escaped us, she said yes. We had to wait to set the date, I didn’t want any clashes with the European or World Championships but following the publication of the international fencing calendar a suitable date was found and the challenge of finding a venue was next.

Having been an organizer at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, I understand what it feels like to have the whole world focused on the city I have lived in all my life. It makes a person feel really proud. It's kind of like having a big party and inviting the whole world. A good mascot adds to the energy and enthusiasm for the Games, especially among volunteers and organizers. A bad mascot detracts from this energy and enthusiasm.

Some idea of what it was like to be a fencer in Victorian England can be gleaned from the records of the oldest club in the country, London Thames Fencing Club, which was founded as the London Fencing Club in 1848. Paying an annual subscription of £5 (equivalent to about £480 today)...