Basically, the Saber is a cutting weapon, very aggressive and demands severe athleticism. The valid target area is everything above the waist of your opponent. It uses rules of right-of-way. The Foil is a stabbing weapon, target area only the torso. More finesse oriented. Also uses right-of-way. The rules of right-of-way are arbitrated by a referee and try to determine whom actually would have survived the clash if weapons were sharp and no protective gear was used. This can get a little strange sometimes, so for those that do not want a human opinion as to whether you survived or not, there is the Epee. No rules of right-of-way and the whole body is the target. You both hit, you both get a point. Most realistic simulation of a first blood duel on the market today.

Epee bout. Foil bout. Sabre bout. Note the differences in combat flow and tempo.