2.8.3 Bends and Curvature Many foil and epee fencers prefer a bend at the join of the tang and blade, so that the blade points slightly inside when held in sixte. Such a bend is best applied with a strong vise to avoid bowing the tang. Some fencers prefer to put this bend into the forte of the blade instead. Be gentle; blades will snap if handled with too much force. A gentle curve in the foible of the blade is also common, and helps to square the point against oblique surfaces. Such a bend must be smooth and gradual. Sharp kinks are prohibited. Foible bends are best worked into the blade using the sole of one's shoe and the floor. For foil and epee, the total curvature of the blade is measured with the blade laid on a flat surface, with the point and base of the forte touching the surface. Epees must not rise more than 1 cm above the surface, while foils are allowed 2 cm. If the objective is to angle the point to hit oblique surfaces better, this is a significant amount of curvature. If the objective is to "hook" the blade around blocking parries or body parts, however, these limits are fairly restrictive. Remember that the wire groove on epee and foil blades goes on the top (thumb side) of the blade, and the outside of the blade curvature. Sabre curvature is handled differently, it being the deflection of the point from the line of the forte. 4 cm is all that is tolerated.