Per WotC (in the Arms and Equipment Guide) a saber is another name for a scimitar. Not sure I entirely agree, the scimitar is usually significantly more point heavy. Of course WotC may contradict themselves in other books. :)

On fencing, isn't saber the only weapon allowed to score with the edge as well as the point? Fencing with the saber also disallows the hands as valid targets. Both rules will tend to encourage closing the range compared to foil or epee.