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cowpaste · 08-19-2004, 08:02 PM

I have a blue lamé. If I put my name on the back in blue, nobody will be able to see it. So what color should I use? Don't the rules require blue? I should have just listened to Inq.

DHCJr · 08-19-2004, 08:19 PM

They do require Dark Blue. They also require it to be light or white. So even those dark red and greens are illegal, but they are still sold, because fencers still buy them. For USFA competitions, you can put your name on your leg.

I just learned something today. You can not use felt letters, at least in USFA competitions. They are not as clear for the FIE. In the special notes after T.44 the USFA says the letters must be printed. The FIE as usual is not so clear.

Kiwifencer · 08-19-2004, 09:11 PM

I take it DHCJr means the red and blue lame or 'conductive jackets' are illegal as they are not light or white. As usual FIE rules unclear - the clothing (M 25.3) must be white/light on the body. M25.4 refers to Jacket.

M28 refers to the conductive jacket - there is no colour requirement for this jacket. So can the lame can be any colour as long as it conforms to M28, and fencer's clothing conforms to m 25 ???

I also recall the trend a few years ago for coloured arms and legs - which seems to have died out as quick as it arrived.

DHCJr · 08-19-2004, 09:28 PM

Kiwifencer, that is very astute. Someone could argue that the lame is clothing and they would be right. But it also states that clothing must be entirely made of material resistent to 800 Newtons. I'm not sure that any lame has been tested or would pass. An interesting problem.

neevel · 08-19-2004, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I have a blue lamé. If I put my name on the back in blue, nobody will be able to see it. So what color should I use? Don't the rules require blue? I should have just listened to Inq.

Leaving aside the (typically unclear) matter of just what shade of blue is "light" enough to be legit (the Uhlmann/Allstar lames have been used at World Championships, FWIW), you just need to use a blue for the lettering that is darker than the blue of the lame fabric. The blue dye that Marx uses, for example, is dark enough to be adequately visible on Uhlmann/Allstar blue lames. I did my own name on a blue Uhlmann lame, and just made sure I used a very dark blue fabric dye pen.

-Dave

cowpaste · 08-20-2004, 03:41 AM

My lamé is dark blue....

I'm just going to use black. I don't care if I violate rules. I fence in local tournaments most of the time anyway.

CvilleFencer · 08-20-2004, 08:46 AM

Why don't you just "outline" your name in white. That way no matter what shade you will use everyone will be able to tell what it should be and you will be withing the lettering rules as the actual "letters" will be blue. I would go with a nice think white outline to make it look right. Maybe 1/16th or so for the line and then if you wanted to just fill the inside of the outline with a darker blue or leave it the lame color.

CarlKnoch · 08-20-2004, 10:08 AM

Use black, and some of the blue lame that will show through will allow you to say it's just a really dark blue set of letters.

cowpaste · 08-20-2004, 11:15 AM

I think I'll just use black for now, but the outline idea sounds really cooo. I'll try that sometime. How do you suggest I create these outlines? Also, if I stencil myself, what kind of paint do you guys suggest? Right now I plan to use "craft paint." Will this work?

neevel · 08-20-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowpaste

My lamé is dark blue....

I'm just going to use black. I don't care if I violate rules. I fence in local tournaments most of the time anyway.

What make of lame is it?

Inquartata · 08-20-2004, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

Why don't you just "outline" your name in white.

Won't that violate the "single uniform color on the torso" rule?

Inquartata · 08-20-2004, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowpaste

My lamé is dark blue....

I'm just going to use black. I don't care if I violate rules.

Just be sure the officials don't care, either. Ultimately it's their opinions that will matter...

CvilleFencer · 08-20-2004, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Won't that violate the "single uniform color on the torso" rule?

I don't think so. I mean, the thread is white on most lames, even the colored ones!

Also I have an artist friend that swears that white is not a color!

cowpaste · 08-20-2004, 02:06 PM

It's a blue foil lamé from a Chinese/Hong Kong company called "épée." They supply the Chinese equipment for Blade Fencing and The Fencing Dude. Anyway, I got the lamé ultra cheap for $25.

It's a plain ol' copper lamé so I know it won't last that long. That is why I'm willing to stencil in against-the-rules black. I've had some experience with Blue Gauntlet copper lamés, so I know what I need to do to make a last for quite awhile. Anyway, I decided to get this lamé as an emergency replacement for my normal lamé, which was stolen at a tournament. Let this be a lesson to you all: stencil yer junk so people don't steal it. :P

Inquartata · 08-20-2004, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

I don't think so. I mean, the thread is white on most lames, even the colored ones!

Also I have an artist friend that swears that white is not a color!

By that logic one could dye blue polka dots on a regular lame or jacket and it'd be legal...

Elemental · 08-20-2004, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I think I'll just use black for now, but the outline idea sounds really cooo. I'll try that sometime. How do you suggest I create these outlines? Also, if I stencil myself, what kind of paint do you guys suggest? Right now I plan to use "craft paint." Will this work?

I doubt craft paint would work. Check out local craft stores and see if you can find a fabric dye in a pump/spray type dispenser. I've found them at a local chain for about $5 a bottle. Just line up the stencil and spray evenly. Should work just fine.

I've also heard many people on this board suggest using dye pens, but I can't seem to find any of them anywhere.

neevel · 08-20-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elemental

I've also heard many people on this board suggest using dye pens, but I can't seem to find any of them anywhere.

I get them at Michael's (a major, nationwide chain of crafts stores)

Elemental · 08-20-2004, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neevel

I get them at Michael's (a major, nationwide chain of crafts stores)

That's where I found the spray on dye but I didn't see any pens. It's been a while and maybe I just didn't notice them.

cowpaste · 08-20-2004, 06:23 PM

Eck, I would rather not use any spray on method. I've heard about stenciling so I want to try it at least once. I just don't know what kind of paint to use. I went to some local craft store and they were selling stencil paint, but that was like $4 per small canister. I dun like getting ripped off. I'm gonna try the 44 cent craft paint first. If that doesn't work, I'll try the 44 cent acrylic paint.

Elemental · 08-20-2004, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowpaste

Eck, I would rather not use any spray on method. I've heard about stenciling so I want to try it at least once. I just don't know what kind of paint to use. I went to some local craft store and they were selling stencil paint, but that was like $4 per small canister. I dun like getting ripped off. I'm gonna try the 44 cent craft paint first. If that doesn't work, I'll try the 44 cent acrylic paint.

Acrylic paint will either flake off, turn blotchey, or will run when sweat gets on the lame. Also keep in mind that paint may (and probably will) affect the conductivity of the lame. Dye will soak into the Lame fabric but shouldn't stay on the wiring at all. Even if you fence at local tournaments someone is bound to get on your case about conductivity and dead spots on your lame. Especially if you go against someone who uses a lot flicks and target the back.

If you're going to use paint, at least use fabric paint.