Purchasing a new lame.

[Kettu]

Hello.
I've recently decided that it's time I consider buying a new lame.
I'm looking for something that does not fit too loose, and keeps its conductivity over time. I wouldn't mind it being durable at that either. So far I've considered the following three:

• Uhlman Startex
• Triplette Stretch stainless lame
• Infinity lame

I don't know a lot about each particular piece of equipment. The infinity is supposed to be cool and light, but how durable? The triplette one appears durable and snug, but how does it fare with conductivity? I don't know a whole lot about the startex at all. I'm willing to pay a good $200 for a lame, and I'd appreciate any feedback I can get with this tricky decision.
Thank you.

[telkanuru]

I'm an epee fencer, so not an authority on the lame, but I've been told by multiple people that the Infinity is a minor deity in metalic form. I have, however, heard that it is a bit fragile.

[prototoast]

I would say avoid the triplette lame. They're a little awkward, but the main problem with them is how they close at the top. The velcro goes across the whole shoulder, which is fine for the jacket, but it's not good for the lame (since if the velcro isn't lined up just right, it leaves a nice "dead spot" right on your shoulder). They are also not great on conductivity.

Personally, I have an uhlmann, and I couldn't be happier. Fits well, and its conductivity lasts a long time.

No experience with infinity, but most people seem to like them. If you have a nice, light stretch jacket, I'd probably go with the infinity. If you have a heavier, non-stretch jacket, you're just fine with the uhlmann.

[Windsor]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I would say avoid the triplette lame. They're a little awkward, but the main problem with them is how they close at the top. The velcro goes across the whole shoulder, which is fine for the jacket, but it's not good for the lame (since if the velcro isn't lined up just right, it leaves a nice "dead spot" right on your shoulder). They are also not great on conductivity.

I don't know about the stretch lame but I have their Super Duty and the only downside is that its a bit heavier than other lames. It's lasted 3 years without a hitch, conductivity is fine and I've never had and problems with the velcro. That said, Uhlmann is a safe choice and Infinity is great except some of the threads aren't as durable but you can easily reinforce them when you first get it. They really are the lightest lames I've ever seen or used.

[Peach]

The Infinity lame gets holes in it easily, which makes it less useful for foil than sabre. However, when you get a hole in it you simply sew it together again with regular thread and it's still conductive.

I'm on my third sabre Infinity since 1997, when they first started coming out. Their seams need to be reinforced and they're thin, but they're light and comfortable. They get beaten into matted threads and still conduct. Then, all of a sudden, they stop working after three or four years. This is better than what happened to my stainless lames, which was that something in my perspiration apparently rotted them within a year no matter what I did with them.

[Leung]

I personally use Allstar Athen Jacket and Allstar Startex Knickers. The Startex Jacket may seem like a good choice for the jacket but it is heavier. The Athen jacket on the other hand is lighter and is cooler (temperature wise.) I chose the Startex Knickers because of better mobility with a stretch fabric.

[whtouche]

Originally Posted by Leung

I personally use Allstar Athen Jacket and Allstar Startex Knickers. The Startex Jacket may seem like a good choice for the jacket but it is heavier. The Athen jacket on the other hand is lighter and is cooler (temperature wise.) I chose the Startex Knickers because of better mobility with a stretch fabric.

That's great, but he was asking about lames...

Anyways: I have an infinity and love it. As has been said the seams are a bit weak, but if you reinforce them when you get it you shouldnt have too much of a problem. It really is obscenely light weight - one night at a club I was fencing at I forgot my infinity so I borrowed a stainless steele lame for the night, I felt like I was going to asphyxiate it was so hot. It was like wearing a thick canvas in comparison.

[R. Exnicios]

We have two infinity lames at the university and they no longer pass the Olm test. They may just be dirty but hey are less than a year old.

My main concern is that the rules specificly state:

(c) Conductive jacket (over-jacket or plastron)
m.28 . . . The interior of conductive jackets must be electrically insulated by a lining or by an adequate treatment of the conductive lame material.

and given that some machines (I'll let you guess) are very sensative to grounding this could cause a real problem. (i.e. your arm is now target - saw it happen)

I use the Allstar lame, get it from Langencamp & it will not bust the budget.

Good luck

Cheers

R

[bynadutch]

mostly and epee fencer these days, but as far as I am concerned, go with the infinity... infinitely lighter, more comfy, breathes great and fits well.
If you are willing to spend that much money, you might as well have the most comfortable lame out there. As we put it, the only nice thing about going out in the DE's is getting to take off your 'greenhouse' of a lame... but with the infinity you don't even notice that it is on.
My 2 cents... for what it is worth.

Oh, and yes, as previously stated... reinforce the stitching... especially around the zipper and 'D' ring

[Kettu]

Thank you everyone for your advice. For now, I'm set on the infinity. As long as normal thread works, I'll see if I can get the family seamstress, my aunt to do the reinforcing, lest she make me try and figure it out. This shouldn't be too hard, no? Thanks again.

Andrew Eerikäinen

[Inquartata]

I just bought my first Infinity...and I'm not a guy who loves change, so the reputation the things have had to have impressed me. ( The fact that with the present currency rates so bad they are actually less expensive than all of the top European brands like Uhlmann doesn't hurt, either. )

I've never had a problem with the weight and heat retention of the conventional lames, so I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy the lightness as much as some people seem to do.

I've heard that the Infinity material snags easily and that one should keep it away from the "hook" variety of Velcro at all costs. Anyone had this problem, or is it apocryphal?

[Rolls]

I have two of the cheaper (non-stainless steel) Triplette lames. While I don't think they are the best lames in the world (mine are too baggy)... I can say this.

I bought one a year after I got the first. I have had them both for over 4 years. I have washed them both only once (did so recently).

I took one with me to Arlington thinking it might be time to replace it. I was wrong. It passed the test with flying colors. Granted I take good care of my equipment.

: )

Rolls.

[yeoldearmourer]

The rules for the infinty lame is different that what the rules says. If you get hit and it's not insulated that your problem. But the Infinty lame does need to be clean. When it goes bad it wouldn't go dead in one spot but totally dead.
All lames have there problems.


Tim

[The0ne]

for foil I recommend the Allstar lame. The Uhlmann has a bad habit of folding over at the seam, so your zipper is exposed all the time. . . Soo many refs have had to ask me to fold it back over!

[frenzl]

i have an allstar stainles steel lame, it heavy but will last for a long time so for longevity get stainless steel, but for comfort get the infinity it's all personal preference.

[Sabresque]

I actually really like the PBT lames, they fit well and are easy to move around in. This is of course for sabre, though. The one problem I've noticed with the PBT lames is that if the lame fabric rubs against something else too much the threads kind of disinigrate, and you may need to upgrade the zipper. Just keep the rubbing down to a minimum, and you'll do fine. My PBT lame has lasted me longer than any other (of, course that's with a 6 month hiatus from an injury), but I really like it. And it's shiney.

I just finally bought a new lame (back to the old uhlmanns again), and it feels way too stiff and heavy compaired to my old PBT.

[whtouche]

Are the PBT lames stainless steele threads too?

[D'Artagnan1673]

Well, it looks like I've narrowed my choice to about three different lames.

1. TCA Super Duty - I fenced with the foil version for years in a hot, unairconditioned, high humidity environment and neither I, nor the lame, died. Therefore, considering its durability, and its slightly cheaper price than other high dollar lames, this may be the best way to go.

2. PBT - Simular price to the Uhlmann.

3. Uhlmann - Simular price to the PBT. Both seem to have fairly good reputations.

[ShadowHuntr]

i have an uhlmann, and it is fine. my one friend though had some minor problems with his. we bought ours at the same time, but his d-ring busted off and the thread on the back seem came a little loose. I think that was partially from neglect though. I do only wear mine in tournaments, i use a crappy BG lame for practice. at any rate, the uhlmann has served me well.