As a sport, Fencing has been around since the end of the 19th century, progressing to our more modern electronic scoring around the mid-20th century. The sport is broken down to 3 disciplines: foil, épée, and sabre (although now some people also fence with specialised Light Sabres!)
To allow scoring electronically, fencers wear lame jackets, designed to be electrically conductive and protective (mechanical resistance (800N/cm2 min), which are made using stainless steel fine wire. These jackets need to be extremely durable, protective and conductive. FIE compliant fencing masks are also made of stainless steel wire mesh. They must pass a 1600 N punch without failing. There hasn't, as yet, been a more suitable metal than stainless steel for all of these applications, due to it's durability, strength and conductivity.
We don't make stainless steel fencing equipment ... but we have just received a masters degree in 'garden fencing'... we are now post graduates... sorry :)