The things friends get you into...

[Valkiera]

Greetings,

Well I’ve finally done it. I’m finally going to get to learn fencing. I’ve wanted to try the sport for a few years. Just never had the chance. Well it seems there are going to be classes starting locally for people to learn and get exposed to the sport. But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.

Earlier today a friend comes up to me at work and asks “ Want to learn Fencing with me?” to which I respond “ ARE YOU KIDDING … YEAH ! “ So this is all well and great. The reason I’m coming here is … Class starts next Tuesday !! And I have ZERO gear.

So does anyone know of places to get my basic kit that is near Seattle Washington? Or within a 6 hour drive of there?

I tried a search and didn’t find anything. I’m sorry if I missed the obvious. I’d try the Internet but I doubt I’d have it in time. Not to mention I’d like to talk to someone with some knowledge before picking out my first set.

Thanks to any who have the time to help a newbie.

Val

[SupportCrew]

If you're taking an introductory class, the instructor or club usually provides the basic stuff (glove, jacket, mask, weapon). They don't expect you to run out and buy everything off the bat. If it's like our club, you don't even start off with electric weapons. You get a foil with a nice big fat red tip on the end so you don't bruise each other unnecessarily.
You might want to check, but I think you'll really be okay for Tuesday.
Have fun!

[Valkiera]

Sadly I already checked, it's just an instructor that is using the local recreation club Gym. We are required to provide our own basic kit.

Val

[CvilleFencer]

www.blue-gauntlet.com & www.fencesmart.com offer some very good prices for their "econo" kits going for about $100. Since they are on the other coast you might want to pay a bit more to get it shipped out ASAP and as such you should check out www.thefencingpost.com or www.amfence.com Both are good vendors and are very close to you but since it is a holiday weekend you are not going to get your kit in time unless you have it overnighted to you and it is probably a bit late in the day to do that.

I am a coach that does programs like the one you are in but I always make sure that the students can either order gear through me or have a list of places to get gear well in advance of the class so you may want to check with your coach. Also you will most likley not need you gear the first week or so as you will be learning safety rules, stretching and footwork before you get a blade in you hand.

Best of luck and welcome to the sport!

[Larrison]

You'll be OK the first 1-2 weeks without equipment, if its a reasonable class. You'll spend the first 1-2 weeks on footwork, stance and basic movement. You'll need sweatpants and good athletic/running shoes, but for at least the first week you'll be OK.

If the class is going to be buying equipment, usually the club/ instructor has a deal set up with a supplier to sell a basic setup at a reasonable price -- still going to be $150 or so. You'll need a jacket, glove, and basic weapon. If you're going to be buying your own equipment, just don't go nuts in buying high end or lots of it until you're comfortable with what you need. Mail order will need 4-5 days to ship, so you'll need to get your order in ASAP after the instructor defnes what you need.

If you *desperately* need equipment, give some of the local clubs a call and see what they have in stock, or if one of the members runs a supply store -- There's one at UW, one in Issaquah, one in Bellevue, and one in downtown.

Similarly, there's 6 clubs in Vancouver,BC and several in Portland and there might be a supplier associated with them.

There's a supplier listed at (who I know nothing about, other than their name)
Columbia Fencing Equipment
1118 N.W. 86th Circle
Vancouver, WA 98665
(360) 574-7027

[ReverseLunge]

Well the first class will be about getting in the en guarde position and advancing and retreating. Second class will be about lunging and recovering. After that you will need a mask, a glove, a jacket and a practice foil since you will be learning how to hold the foil and how to extend and lunge with it. Go as cheap as you can since over 50% of the people who try fencing don't even finish through the beginning class and and 50% of the people who complete the class don't stick with it for more than a few months at most. Fencing is an extremely difficult to sport master physically and mentally. You can practice hard for months and see no results.

[mrbiggs]

Reverselunge is correct, you will not need your gear for awhile.

If there are any fencing stores on Earth, they're in Europe. There just isn't enough money in fencing to allow for an actual building.

You can ask the coach of the class about equipment. He may guide you, and he might be able to get a discount.

If you live near the East, blue gauntlet sometimes ships in 2-4 days, if you're lucky. (They're stationed in New Jersy).

[Larrison]

Time to get equipment & stores.

Years ago, when I was competing there used to be "Southern California Fencers Supply" down in Hollywood. Great store -- you could go in and get anything you needed from electrical equipment for the club, up to getting a competitive electric foil customized on the spot or trying on uniforms to get the one that fit right. They also used to sell to the film industry, so they had a very good selection of theatrical fencing equipment too.. (what helped keep them in business too). But they've gone out of business in the years since I was really competitive -- and I do miss them.

So there are, or were, a few fencing supply stores around. Just don't go to one of those hole-in-wall "knife shops" in the mall and expect to buy something -- a few have practice foils for sale I've notice and they are invariably garbage quality. Some of the suppliers will set up shop at major competitions I've noticed and have fairly good selection there -- and if they don't have it, will ship it out when they get back to their store. Both Fencing Post and Fencing Wear are listed as going to be having merchant booths at the Long Beach Invitational near here. http://www.ocfencing.org/flyer_2004.htm

Time to ship items...
I've recently ordered transcontinental from Santelli and from Fencing Post (about 100-150 miles from here). Santelli typically takes about 4-5 business days to arrive, once its been shipped -- which should be a good metric for other providers as well. Fencing Post surprized me -- I ordered a new glove from them, and it arrived *the next day* (!!).

[Inquartata]

American Fencers Supply in San Francisco has a storefront for walk-in customers. I think Triplette does, too...or did once.

[Schiavona]

Santelli has a store in Englewood?, Englewood Cliffs? NJ or they did.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Welcome to the Forum and to the sport!

Hope things gets sorted with your equipment and that you'll enjoy classes.

[Valkiera]

Thank you for all the good advice. I found a club near Seattle that has a decent supply of beginner supplies.

I plan on only buying what I need. Taking the advice of you all, to really try the sport before going crazy with gear. I've looked forward to having the chance of trying Fencing. I'm just glad someone local has decided to offer their teaching.

Again thank you and I will more then likely be haunting the area for more information. Once I know what to ask and look for.

Val