Equipment Shopping in CT

[Pepster]

Okay,

I'm a hands-on guy, so I'd prefer to shop in person where I can get a feel for a grip or a blade before I buy. Since I haven't been doing this long enough to get a feel for all the options, that meands I'd like to go to a store instead of a website for some major purchases. (a Few blades, grips mostly.)

Unfortunatley, I live in central CT (Lovely really, you should visit sometime). And the nearest vendor I know of is santelli, in NY. Anyone know of a place closer than 2 hours? Or should I just go via a website and recommendations from cub-mates?

-Pepster
- The somewhat savvy shopper.

[FoilyGeezer]

Ahh! You're best bet is probably Candlewood fencing in Danbury, though I think their equipment for sale is pretty limited. There really are no retail outlets for fencing equipment in the state. Next best bet is wait for a big tourney like the Pomme De Terre where you'll likely have vendors showing up with merchandise, or plan a trip down to the NY-NJ area and just hit as many of the retailers in a day as you can.

Truely, borrow stuff from other fencers to try it out for feel, etc. Then ask where they got it from.

Where do you fence?

[Pepster]

I just joined a club in Middletown, Shoreline Fencing Club. (www.shorelinefencing.com)

I'd been sitting on my but since I graduated in May, this is quite refreshing... but that old armoring bug is going again, and there's no better weapon then one that has your own sweat, tears, and plenty of your opponent's blood in it....

Where are you at?

-Pepster
- Who is building his toolbox from scratch, just to get it right... then he'll start tweaking

[FoilyGeezer]

Lately, I've been splitting my time between Shoreline and Thames River Fencing. I actually haven't been up to the new place since Jim opened but I'll probably be there tonight.

[Pepster]

I'll see you there then....

Look for the oversized Epee fencer with a hideous lunge and "SUSI" on his back leg.

-Pepster
- Who now needs an excuse to travel to NJ

[FoilyGeezer]

Take the SUSI part out and you just described 8/10ths of the Epee fencers I've ever known!!!! {SARCASM}No offense meant to all the other fine Epee fencers out there{/SARCASM} {Ducks and Covers}

Just look for the old geezer sweating profusely, limping and using his foil as a cane. That'll be me.

[jeff]

Originally Posted by Pepster

the nearest vendor I know of is santelli, in NY

They're in Englewood NJ, right near Rt 95 and Rt 4, so it shouldn't br too bad from CT, if your highway is fixed. Also, there's a great Italian deli down the block.

[danp]

Man, this conjures a feeling of nostalgia... I grew up on Candlewood lake in New Fairfield! Graduated from NFHS...

Sigh, I need to travel back home... It's been years!

-Dan

Originally Posted by FoilyGeezer

Ahh! You're best bet is probably Candlewood fencing in Danbury, though I think their equipment for sale is pretty limited. There really are no retail outlets for fencing equipment in the state. Next best bet is wait for a big tourney like the Pomme De Terre where you'll likely have vendors showing up with merchandise, or plan a trip down to the NY-NJ area and just hit as many of the retailers in a day as you can.

Truely, borrow stuff from other fencers to try it out for feel, etc. Then ask where they got it from.

Where do you fence?

[rsy]

Originally Posted by jeff

They're in Englewood NJ, right near Rt 95 and Rt 4, so it shouldn't br too bad from CT, if your highway is fixed. Also, there's a great Italian deli down the block.

The deli near Santelli is great, but if someone is driving in from Conn, they might as well take the extra 10 mins and go to BG.

-r

[jeff]

To each their own... While I have bought from BG, I primarily shop from Santelli and have had uniformly (no pun intended) good experiences there. Besides, to get to BG you have to get onto the Garden State Parkway, not a good thing for the faint-hearted. (Actually, it's not bad at all. It's the Cross Bronx Expressway that gives me the willies)

[Chris Aher]

Candlewood Fencing Center in Danbury has a reasonable selection of equipment available in common sizes. If you have unusual needs things may need to be special ordered. Weapons usually are built to spec. You should call ahead. (203-788-0808) Talk to Tom Ciccarone. If you are going buy a full kit, make sure that you make arrangements so that Tom won't be be tied up with lessons and can spend time with you to get everything just right. The club is pretty busy on most evenings.

All that said, Blue Gauntlet has provided me with excellent service for things that Tom doesn't stock.

[Bout ender]

There are a few. There's Blue Gauntlet, Physcial Chess, Santelli and FenceSmart. While they're all good in their own little way, price wise I usually go with FenceSmart, in Vauxhall, NJ.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

If you are going to be in the NYC area, I would suggest going to Physical Chess. Big selection. You don't end up with Santelli's "english" threaded stuff.