Cost of it all

[TheMooglePirate]

I feel like such a spammer, but I'm working hard to talk my parents into this...including cost of a class, jacket, mask, and a blade...how much is it on average? Not including tournaments or anything...it's starting to look bad when it comes to money...{oh! if anybody has some sort fo comparison or anything, I used to play softball...wish I remembered how much that cost...}

[prototoast]

I feel like such a spammer, but I'm working hard to talk my parents into this...including cost of a class, jacket, mask, and a blade...how much is it on average? Not including tournaments or anything...it's starting to look bad when it comes to money...{oh! if anybody has some sort fo comparison or anything, I used to play softball...wish I remembered how much that cost...}

It really depends. A non-electric starter set (glove, mask, dry weapon, jacket) will be less than $150. Classes really vary a lot in how much they cost. Top competitive clubs with dedicated facilities can have fairly high rates. Smaller clubs can be much more affordable, and the ultimate option is, of course, if your school has a team. Beyond those basics, fencing costs as much as you want it to cost. Electric equipment, more lessons, more competitons will all add on to that, but basically, you should find out about the various costs at your class.

[S. Hunter]

It really depends. A non-electric starter set (glove, mask, dry weapon, jacket) will be less than $150. Classes really vary a lot in how much they cost. Top competitive clubs with dedicated facilities can have fairly high rates. Smaller clubs can be much more affordable, and the ultimate option is, of course, if your school has a team. Beyond those basics, fencing costs as much as you want it to cost. Electric equipment, more lessons, more competitons will all add on to that, but basically, you should find out about the various costs at your class.

To start out 150 is about right, but all in all you WILL be spending what most people would consider atleast a good chunk of money on fencing if you compete. you need a jacket, knickers, plastron, glove, two electric weapons, electric equipment, possibly shoes and books - And for additional weapons multiply. If you get started, you may feel you end up asking your parents for fencing stuff for birthdays and christmas, but I honestly think that equipment to keep you fencing is worth more than anything else you will get.

(Lessons aren't really a factor for me - My coach does it 'cause he loves the sport too much to charge to teach it )

[foodle]

If your parents are concerned about cost, why not start taking classes before you invest in your own equipment. Who knows, you might not even like fencing. Beginning classes should provide all of their students with equipment. Eventually, when you're sure you'll stick with it and you know what sort of equipment you really want (which weapon? grip? fie blade? sabre or foil lame? etc), you can get your own stuff. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to sell a slightly used beginner's kit on ebay in 3 months.

If you want to know what the cost of a beginner's kit would be look at one of the online dealers (Fencing Post, Triplette, etc) and see what they are charging for a beginner's kit. Again, I would strongly recommend that you wait until you've taken classes for a while and know that you'll like fencing and what equipment you really want.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I mowed alot of lawns for the blade I just bought. If your parents are anything like mine (I hope not) then they will want you to do some of the work for your equipment.

[dekko]

If your parents are concerned about cost, why not start taking classes before you invest in your own equipment. Who knows, you might not even like fencing. Beginning classes should provide all of their students with equipment. Eventually, when you're sure you'll stick with it and you know what sort of equipment you really want (which weapon? grip? fie blade? sabre or foil lame? etc), you can get your own stuff. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to sell a slightly used beginner's kit on ebay in 3 months.

Foodle is right, you should find somewhere that supplies equipment for you and not force you to buy equipment just to try it out. Watch out for those that either rent equipment to you or make you buy it after a very short period of time, 1-2 months. Two cents, find somewhere that you can use their stuff for 6 months or so until you know if this is the sport for you and then buy equipment if you like. If you buy it sooner you still don't know if you will stick with the sport very long.

As for class prices and tournament prices, those vary greatly from club to club and some will seem low in the beginning then require lessons that will move the cost up. Find one that allows you to pick the schedule then lessons if you like.

Good luck and welcome to the greatest sport on earth!

[Radiophonicus]

Check out your local colleges. I have a couple around me that offer fencing and all you need to have is a glove and some comfortable clothes. If you find that you like it you'll probably want to buy your own mask before anything. There's just something about wearing someone else's face sweat that makes me wince.

[hscoach]

I agree. Many clubs offer equipment. If you invest in a mask do not buy the very cheapest. Go up to the second lowest priced one, it is usually more comfortable. Look under "vendors" on the usfencing.org website to get an idea of what gloves or masks cost. Do not be frightened by equipment that is FIE you do not need that.

[klauver]

The closest club to you is probably at U-T Knoxville. Here's a link to thier site:
http://web.utk.edu/~fencing/
Good Luck

[Victor]

What's been said already.
Start with the minimum. Improve your stuff in bits and pieces over time. Avoid going all-out for tourneys until you can afford it. Make friends.

And avoid clumsy fencers (and your own clumsy fencing) to reduce the possibility of blade breaks.

It took me quite a while to build up my personal stock of equipment -- a couple of electric foils, lame, four electric epees, competition mask, etc. ... You'll go broke if you try to do it all at once.

[keith]

And avoid clumsy fencers (and your own clumsy fencing) to reduce the possibility of blade breaks.

.. and never develop the habit of dropping your hand as you hit - sends a horrible blade snapping S-bend down the weapon; the cost of all the replacement blades is not the best reminder to develop good technique.

...I spent a fair bit of money correcting this habit.

[foodle]

And avoid clumsy fencers (and your own clumsy fencing) to reduce the possibility of blade breaks.

In every class, there always seems to be the "wild" person. No matter how much instruction they get they swing the blade around crazily. However, I don't recommend avoiding them, because you need to learn to deal with that kind of fencer. Especially starting out, it can be surprisingly difficult to fence the wild ones.

[esskreemr]

I feel like such a spammer, but I'm working hard to talk my parents into this...including cost of a class, jacket, mask, and a blade...how much is it on average? Not including tournaments or anything...it's starting to look bad when it comes to money...{oh! if anybody has some sort fo comparison or anything, I used to play softball...wish I remembered how much that cost...}

Just to poke my .02 cents into the fray. Check out the club you'll be fencing at. Most provide equipment to beginners. Take the class and make sure you like it. If it works out, if you decide you like it, start getting stuff piece by piece. It's more expensive in the long run, but helps to spread the cost over a longer period of time.

Most of the stuff, when cared for properly, will last a LOONNNGGG time, even under moderately heavy use.

Weapons: Length of use will vary according to how much you fence, how heavy-handed you are, how much point practice you do, and the manufacturer. My current Vniti FIEs are in their 5 year of use and still holding a curve. On the opposite end, I've had France-Lame blades break 3 months after getting them.

Gloves tend to wear out quick depending on what type you buy. I've burnt 2-3 gloves a year when I was fencing only 1 a week. I switched to a different type that has stood the test of time alot better.

Masks last a good while. I'm a heavy perspirer, my last mid-range mask lasted 4-5 years. I kept good care, but in the end the rivets built up too much rust for my liking.

Knickers, plastrons and jackets, as long as you don't bleach them, will probably last you as long as you can continue to fit into them.

Hope this helps a little and doesn't merely reiterate what everyone else is posting.

[D'Artag-NOT]

I mowed alot of lawns for the blade I just bought. If your parents are anything like mine (I hope not) then they will want you to do some of the work for your equipment.

DFP--Old fogey that I am, I applaud your parents for giving you the opportunity to earn the money to support your fencing. In life, as in fencing, you have to accept a lot of drudgery to achieve your goals.

Except for two dry foils (a gift from my roommate) and two pairs of socks (a gift from my sister), I've done all the work to pay for my equipment. That's Life 101. Good on your folks for making sure you start learning that now.

[telkanuru]

I've purchased all of my fencing equipment and paid for all my tourney fees. However, I've had problems funding NACs, etc. that are not in my area (ie. all of them). I still see $$$$$ when my blades break, too.

I think you should search the forum, as this question has really been discussed ad nausiam before.

[TheMooglePirate]

Wow...thanks for all the replies, yall are seriously helping me in geting me convinced.

[Templar147]

not to be redundant, but many clubs also allow you to check out electric equipment, so if you do go to tourneys in the future, you won't have to shell out the $$$$ to get yourself the cords/ live weapons/lame/etc.

College clubs also usually have the added benefit that membership is cheaper.

[BOliver]

One point to bring up to your parents:

fencers have a much greater chance of getting into college than any number of other sports. Scholarships aside, I've seen many young fencers go from marginal students to top acheivers in just a couple of years. Fencing exposes a young person to people and concepts that are substantially better than your average sport.

For example, many fencers speak more than one language. Most (post)adult fencers have advanced degrees. There is an above average percentage of fencers who are in white collar professions.

What other activity could you pursue that will allow you to rub shoulders with Russians, Pols, Hungarians, Argentines, Spaniards, Georgians, Bulgarians, Angelinos, and New Yorkers? Practically daily?

Fencing is a great investment in creating good adults. No question.