FIE Electric Sabre Masks

[D'Artagnan1673]

I'm looking to buy an FIE Sabre Mask.

From everything I've read on the forum, Leon-Paul has got perhaps the best mask in the world. Can this mask be bought from the states?

From reading TCA's website, they claim that Negrini has the best, most comfortable sabre mask.

Any other thoughts?

[DHCJr]

The advantage of the Leon Paul is the X-Change system and possibly not having the tang. Fixing bibs is a pain.

Comfort is a personal matter. Going with one of the major European mask is probably a good choice. They are more expensive, but you only have one head.

I don't know of any vendors who regularily carry Leon Paul masks in the US, but they may. Barry would be the best source for that information.

[prototoast]

I have two negrini FIE sabre masks. They are much more comfortable than uhlmann fie sabre maks. I've never gotten the Leon Paul, but I wouldn't doubt that it is really nice... so basically what it comes down to is that you can get the Negrini mask a lot cheaper (if you shop around, you can find it for like $150) and you doon't have to pay to have it shipped overseas. If I had unlimited money, I'd probably buy a leon paul. But let's just say the Negrini mask is really comfortable, and feels very safe.

[KC]

One of the women in our club just bought a new Leon Paul Sabre mask...

It "looks" cool. As mentioned, the lack of a tang makes the mask appealing. however the lack of a removable liner makes it a little unappealing. I like my Uhlmann with the removable liner. I can wash the inside whenever I need to or replace it as needed. I don't know if LP makes one with a removable liner but the one I got to see tonight didn't.

Anyway, I didn't see any obivious concerns about the mask and I would be happy to report back as time goes on and this mask gets some use.

[Barry Paul]

We make three diferent Sabre Masks but all are to the F.I.E. regulations. We do not make standard mesh sabre masks. When the new stiffness regulations for sabre blades were introduced we had concerns regarding the strength of standard mask mesh. (particuarly with blades as stiff as epee blades and a point which can be sharp and half the surface area of an epee point)

The three masks are
S11 standard mask with the traditional back (Tang).
S11C standard mask with the new Contour fit system
S11CX New style mask with contour fit, the removable bib and a completely detachable internal padding. See www.leonpaul.com for more details. Masks can be shipped direct by on-line ordering or try Santelli. Barry Paul

[whtouche]

I don't believe santelli carries the x-change mask yet, tho I believe they list at least one type of leon paul sabre mask on their website.

I would say for the money the x-change is the mask to go to. Of negrini, I've never tried them but have heard they are comfortable yes. But I also hear they're very heavy.
With the x-change, it's much lighter than most masks because the removeable bib eliminates the overlap of lame material with the metal cheek. Also, it's the most comfortable mask Ive personally ever tried. When I got mine initially it didn't fit at all and I worried that I had ordered the wrong size, but I pulled all the padding out, re-velcro'd it in place(taking seconds) and it now fits perfectly. I haven't had it quite long enough to necessitate a change in bib, but when it does die I'm happy I don't have to pay 100$+ to have an armorer re-bib it, or to get a new mask.

Infact just last night I gave one of my spare bibs to Bill Hall and asked him if he could remove the stock lame material from it and coat it in infinity material. If that is successful(he'd never worked with one of these bibs before so he wasn't positive) then I will definetly have the most durable, comfortable mask in the world.

Five out of four stars.

(also, I ordered directly from leon paul. The only problem I had was that the person who makes the masks was on vacation when I ordered it,so it took a REALLY long time. But they were very helpful while communicating with them via email)

[D'Artagnan1673]

wow,

sounds like a lot of positive feedback for the LP. Its awful pricey, but may just be worth it....

[sabreur]

A guy in my club just got one of the Leon Paul masks--the top of the line one. I like the contour fit idea. I don't really care that the bib doesn't go so far up the sides of the mask--I can get the bib replaced by Allstar for about $40. The other neat thing about the mask is that it is really light, felt like it was about half the weight of my Allstar mask--on the other hand, it is about twice as expensive...

MR

[I_luv_saber]

My Ulhmann has stuck with me trough thick and thin. With good care, Ive had it a little over two years (about every other month I clean the areas that just start to turn green with a little ammonia diluted in water.)

[acfencing]

My advice, don't fence sabre switch to foil

[MyraTrue]

A fencer in my club recently got her x-change contour fit LP, and she loves it. We were talking about it, and she says its the best thing she's ever had. I mean... I'm an epeeist, but I had to pull myself away and stop drooling over it myself. Nice mask,

[Inquartata]

Originally Posted by acfencing

My advice, don't fence sabre switch to foil

This has never happened in the history of sabre and never will....

[D'Artagnan1673]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

This has never happened in the history of sabre and never will....

Although not yet truly a sabre fencer, I don't think I have to worry about turning to foil. I have had my belly full of the weapon over the last 4 years.

Well, I've pretty much made my pick. My personal preference would be the Leon-Paul X-Change, but I'm going with the Negrini.

The Mrs. is getting a bit sick of my fencing expenses with tournaments etc. so she was a bit aggrivated when I came home saying I want to start fencing sabre. At first, it looked like the only way to keep domestic peace was to get a 2nd job. Fortunately, she's warming up to the idea and now won't throw a fit if I take it out of savings. All she asked is that I go more for needs than wants. She understands enough about gear to know that for masks one should always, if possible, go FIE so she asked me to get the best value FIE mask. Fencing Post sells the Negrinia about 20-30 dollars cheaper than the Uhlmann so that will be my choice. That isn't so bad, I have already have 1 Ulhmann so I'd like a change anyway.

Oh well, maybe in a couple of years I can go for the X-Change and donate the Negrini to the club.

[Hurriranger]

yea, once u go sabre, theres no going bak. though i started on sabre, went to epee, came back and went to foil, came back. everytime i did another weapon i got my butt handed to me on a platter.

[Inquartata]

"And now for something completely different: a man with three buttocks."