Pozdnyakov-Pro Blades (and other stuff)

[S. Hunter]

Well since I recently started fencing sabre after a couple monthes hiatus from the edged weapon, I remembered that I only have on sabre blade that is functional, and am looking for a new one. Specifically, I am looking at the Leon Paul Pozdnyakov-Pro series and was wondering if anyone here has or has held one of them and could comment on their durability, weight, balance, etc.

Also, my fencing shoes are falling apart more everyday. While it isn't a rush, I am looking for a new pair of fencing shoes. I have a pair of pbt fencing shoes with rolled heals that are low top, and am looking for something along those lines. (I liked the design, but they tend to degrade quickly and I want something that will last). If anyone has reccomendations, I will take them.

(I know about the equipment review section, but it is top incredibly up to date)

[oiuyt]

I think the Poz-Pro blades are WAY too expensive. I like the BG blades that are their second cheapest. $18. Although the $20 blades would also be a reasonable choice. I'd avoid the $16 blades. I'd rather get 3 of those blades than 1 $56 Poz-Pro. And shipping is likely to be noticibly cheaper from NJ than from London.

Balance is mostly a matter of canting and of the other component parts. While the blade matters, most of it is in what you do with everything that goes into the complete sabre.

-B :)

[Pun]

I just bought a pair of Volley Ball shoes from adidas (their only men's pair). And thoughs seem to work very well. They have extra support in the heel and balls of the feet as well as some joint thing that allows the front of the foot to move idependently from the back (my foot doesn't move that way, so I dont know if thats why its really there). They dont look half bad either. They even look a lot like fencing shoes. I screwed my knee up from not having proper heel support, and every time I fenced I would get a bad pain in my knee, but not with these. I am very pleased. Unfortunately I only got them last week so I can't comment on their durability. They were relatively cheap too at $85.

[pkt]

i use the blued SM blades - better than the gold ones - from one of the former Soviet states. These are less prone to the blade/tang break which seems to be very prevalent these days.

Shoes, i use the adidas Response court shoes: good support and grip on hard wood gym floor [better than the Adidas equipment asymetricals which i also have a pair of.]

PK

[CvilleFencer]

For myself I like the StM colored blades. Really nice balance and last a pretty long time. I have had pretty good luck with BG's SG light blades as well and they are the only BG house brand blades I would even think about recommending. I have not fenced with an LP POZ blade but I did get to see one and switch it around a bit. Very nice fit but it seemed really blade heavy to me. Kind of like one of the old Vniti epees in that it just "felt wrong" for me. It did have a really skinny wood/leather grip I am not familiar with so that may have been some of it. For the price I would definitely go with a few SG or StM blades.

For low top shoes I would go with a pair of Dartagnans($100 from FP $67 From Fechtsport L. in Germany) from the Fencing post or order some of the spiffy Silver Bullet Adidas ($150) from one of the German sites where they are not so ungodly expensive. Even then they are still not cheap but I love the look and everyone I have talked two at tourneys that has them think they are the cats own a$$. Which is to say very cool.