Blade trap

[Unmarked]

I read somewhere that jackets and lamès have a blade trap at the collar which I assume is to prevent blades from getting into your mask.I had a blade pop into my mask a few months back so just how effective is this trap?

[Inquartata]

Probably not very, but better than zero.

The blade has to slide up your jacket to go into the trap. It usually doesn't happen that neatly.

And not all jackets have them, either. Mine does, but the lame that goes over it doesn't, so what good does it do me under the lame? I suppose it puts another layer of material between my throat and a blade, but otherwise...

[VorpalCat]

I agree with Inq. My recently-retired first jacket didn't have one. The current jacket does. (It took me a few weeks to get over the seamstress's urge to sew that loose edge down!) It won't hurt my feelings if I never find out that having it is a very good thing ... but then, if the situation arises, I'd rather have it than not.

[Stylothek]

I find that though security regulations are boosted all the time and we have to get new more puncture-resistant gear, that issue hasn't been given enough attention. Sure, a blade that pops up into your mask won't usually do a lot of damage, since your throat is covered by your jacket and the tip will hit your chin (if it gets you at all). It is quite unlikely that a broken blade will go up behind your bib. After all the weapon loses its flexibility and will most likely not bend upward. Yet, you never know and no one wants an eighth fatality in modern sports fencing.

[noodle]

though blade traps aren't too much of a deterrant for blades, i'd much rather have one and be saved by it than not have one and die when its presence could've saved me. this rule, though, naturally only applies to certain things and has limits, so don't quote me on this in the future about something rediculous

[suregrip]

Just yesterday I was at a tournament where my opponent's blade slipped up my bib and was 'caught' by the fold in my jacket.

The blow was significant enough that my throat swelled from the force of it, but I was otherwise unharmed. We were fencing epee.

[LordTofuDog-jnr]

Although I'm not in the market for a new jacket and as such don't really need to know, but could somebody tell me what brands have this fabled "blade trap." Just the other day my coach was talking about a friend of his getting a punctured lung and throat fencing, I don't want that happening to me.

Oh and the guy was fine, just in hospital for a while and my coach won the competition where it happened, his friend was the only guy to beat him that day.

[Inquartata]

Mine is from Triplette, and it has the trap.

[Pepster]

Is anyone else suddenly presented with the mental Image of Admiral Ackbar?


IT'S A TRAP!


- Pep

[Inquartata]

Don't blame me, I voted for Admiral Jeff. ( Rep point for the first person to get the reference. )

[greenchick]

Don't blame me, I voted for Admiral Jeff. ( Rep point for the first person to get the reference. )

Life in Hell.

[Inquartata]

D'oh! Not as obscure as I thought, apparently!

[suregrip]

My jacket was also from Triplette. I believe it saved my life.

[Stylothek]

wow, this is all very comforting, considering my blade trap is covered by the lame and is useless.....
Let's just hope the blade will never find it's way up there.

[DHCJr]

Many lame have a blade trap also.

[telkanuru]

My old jacket from BG and my current from Estoc both have traps.