Foil Point Recommendations?

[Potemkin]

Does anyone have recommendations for foil points? I need to stock up on screws and springs, rather than asking for replacements at our club when I need them, and thought it would be a good time to investigate new points. (I might as well make sure everything works together!)

I've seen in the armory forum that most people seem to prefer French points for foil and German tips for epee. In the product reviews, it sounds like I should avoid the Leon Paul and the Prieur foil points. The Uhlmann foil point recieved high scores, but I am not thrilled with the idea of repairing screws every week or needing to undent the barrel. I have seen occasional references to Sport 7 points, but I haven't seen any clear indication of whether they are worth getting.

So, any recommendations for foil points and where to get them?

[neevel]

The Sport 7 point are what you get (I'm assuming you're in the US) if you order French points from Blue Gauntlet or American Fencers' supply. They're a French-pattern point (i.e., countersunk screws that thread into the sliding collar of the tip), and they are made in France. They have a steel sleeve over the tip insulation, akin to the Uhlmann/Allstar points. They are smoother than Prieur points in my experience, but still not quite as smooth as Uhlmann.

I'd say they're the best choice for outfitting club weapons. They do have some of the peening problems that crop up with the Preiur tips, but not to the same degree. If club members want to get picky about the smoothness and feel of their points, it's time for them to start buying their own weapons with Uhlmann points.

Sport 7 point parts are almost-but-not quite compatible with Prieur points, so you'll be better off if you keep the two separate in your toolbox.

-Dave

[Purple Fencer]

The French points I sell are Sport 7...haven't had any major problems with them that would be specific the manufacturer.

[Potemkin]

Thank you, Neevel. I was wondering about those vendors, since Blue Gauntlet's simply lists the points as "French Foil point" but says they are "different than other french point." American Fencers Supply also just lists French point. It would have been nice if they mentioned whether their French point was Sport 7, or Prieur, or something else.

[DHCJr]

On the American Fencing Web Site, when you go to the Foil Parts sections you will see near the top 2 items, listed 'New'. One states "New Standard Electric Foil Point". In there they not only list they are using the Sport 7, but also the advantages and compatability. You should read it, even if you do not buy from them. It is well written.

[cowpaste]

The Fencing Post sells Sport 7 French tips too! I just e-mailed them recently to ask them what brand they carried. I'm planning on getting a whole bunch of Sport 7 tips. At first I was going to swap to German tips, but after seeing like 5 completely ruined German heads/barrels in a week, I decided to stick with French.

[CvilleFencer]

I would also say don't count out the new pattern foil tips from Leon Paul. The old ones were not so hot in my experiance but the new ones are just great! They are very smooth, very well made and just last forever. I have them on all my competition weapons and one has been going strong for about 6 months now under fairly heavy use. The only real drawback is that they are not supper common so it can be hard to find parts here in the states. I hate the sloppy.crunchy feel that most French tips get and German tips get banged up way to easy for the way I fence. Also the crap screws always seem to get mashed to the point wear I have to rewire if I need to replace springs or clean them! As such I love my LP tips. Smooth, reliable and man do they hold up to a beating.

If you do go with French we use the Sport 7 style tips on our club weapons and they are the best of the French Tips I have seen so far. Best of luck.

[Tiptop]

thank you for all these point of view about our French tips (sport 7) for your information you can find our products to :
American Fencers supply (foil and epee)
The Fencing post (foil and epee)
Blue Gauntlet (foil and epee)
TCA (foil and epee )
Zivkovic (german foil )
Blade fencing..recently (foil)
Some of them have different other source for these products so ask the real french tips from the Alps

We supply only the resellers some of you contacted me to get some point directly but we do not supply clubs in USA..contact your distributor.Thank you !

[TheArmourer]

If you're buying for a club I'd say the basic LP points (and it's not often I'd make such a recommendation).
(I have no experience of Sport 7)

1. In my experience, club kit takes more abuse than personal kit and the LP barrels are thicker and less likely to get dented.
2. The screws are also closer to flush so don't get damaged as easily. (Tho not as good as the old countersunk France Lame design.)
3. Because the plastic sheath on the tip is replacable (on the basic model) it also means you don't need to replace the entire tip if it gets damaged. (The "superior" LP model is like the Uhlman / Allstar points and I've started to see quite a few of this design where the outer metal sheath has seperated or split.)
4. The downside is that the fit of the tips is a bit more sloppy. But it's club kit so IMO robustness and cost effectiveness are the proiority.