PBT,LP, Allstar or other Jacket?

[Stylothek]

I've searched the forum but I couldn't find any comparison between the jackets of these producers.
I need a new FIE jacket. It should not be too pricy, fit an average sized skinny type person, doesn't have to be all-stretch.
First I checked Allstar to get a new Athens jacket (had that one before and was quite content) They want 135€ including taxes + some marginal shipping.
But since LP brags about how much better they are than Allstar/Uhlmann (see their "fencing stories" on their page), I looked at those aswell. Their Atlanta jacket is by far more pricy than Allstar, it costs approximately 185€ without shipping which should be expensive, since I live in Germany. At last there is PBT offering a full-stretch jacket "Superlight" at a price of 150€ and the same price for shipping as Allstar.
Allstar: 135€ + 8€ Shipping
LP: 185€+who knows how much shipping
PBT:150€+8€ shipping and stretchy
Could you post your experiences with these jackets and tell me which one you find the best? Or is there a company I left out that would beat those on top? Please keep in mind that ordering in the U.S. is rather expensive for me due to shipping.
Thanks in advance!

[achilleus]

I tried the PBT uniform. It's cheap, and pretty good.

Once a year, at least one of our teammates visits Hungary. So, because the PBT is so cheap compared to the Allstar, especially here in the States, a bunch of us decided to purchase some stuff.

2 years later, I'm the only one still wearing the PBT uniform. The others, disliking it sold them, and purchased Uhlmann. I wear mine for practice, but prefer Allstar, and my next uniform will definitely be Allstar.

The material, fit and finish are not on par with Allstar, and there is no blade collar.

[mackillian]

Have you checked out Duellist?

[telkanuru]

I'm going to forfil my usual role in these sorts of threads and say look at Estoc also.

[Stylothek]

Duellist and Estoc are both definately: NO.
Bot far too expensive in comparison to the low Allstar price.
If no one can recommend LP, I'll go for Allstar since PBT is just more expensive for me.

[kalivor]

I've liked every piece of Allstar/Uhlmann equipment I've owned. Their stuff is top-notch, though it might not be everybody's favourite. If you know you like their jacket, and it's the least expensive, buy it.

[telkanuru]

Curious. How much is Estoc on that side of the pond? Here, it's not much different than Uhlmann/Allstar, erring on the side of cheaper.

[Stylothek]

Estoc was close to 200€, Allstar is 135€.

[P.B]

Why are you paying shipping on Allstar stuff? There are two shops near you were you could try-on the jackets before buying them. Given the variations in fit I've found when trying different jackets of the same size (i.e. 106 Athens and 106 Startex) I'd suggest this is a good idea if you want it to fit well.

Fred Dolff
Rudolf-Hahn-Str. 134
53227 Bonn
Tel. + Fax 0228 / 42 21 33 0
E-mail : Fechten@t-online.de

Fechtsport H. Lieffertz
Eibenweg 1
50767 Köln
Tel. 0221 / 79 52 54
Fax 0221 / 790 46 33
E-mail : fecht-sport@netcologne.de
homepage: http://www.lieffertz.com

Both shops stock Uhlmann & Allstar.

[Stylothek]

Why are you paying shipping on Allstar stuff? There are two shops near you were you could try-on the jackets before buying them. Given the variations in fit I've found when trying different jackets of the same size (i.e. 106 Athens and 106 Startex) I'd suggest this is a good idea if you want it to fit well.

Fred Dolff
Rudolf-Hahn-Str. 134
53227 Bonn
Tel. + Fax 0228 / 42 21 33 0
E-mail : Fechten@t-online.de

Fechtsport H. Lieffertz
Eibenweg 1
50767 Köln
Tel. 0221 / 79 52 54
Fax 0221 / 790 46 33
E-mail : fecht-sport@netcologne.de
homepage: http://www.lieffertz.com

Both shops stock Uhlmann & Allstar.

Wow, thanks, I never realized there actually was a store in Bonn! Guess I have to check that out right a way. I haven't been to Lieffertz either yet but I've heard a lot of good things about their shop. I just don't get to Cologne that often. Thanks P.B!

[P.B]

Glad to help - although its probably not a store in Bonn, they are usually more like storage rooms. All but 1 of the fencing shops I've been in are an absolute mess. But fantastic all the same .

I've been the the shop in Cologne (it's ten minutes from our German office). I think its near a U-Bahn station so it might be fairly easy to get to. Give Hagan a call, he's very helpful and can give you instructions.

[davtsung]

Go Adidas and look like a superstar. Otherwise, Negrini is the straight dope in both FIE and non-FIE. LP makes a mean jacket too...

[telkanuru]

Estoc was close to 200€, Allstar is 135€.

Wow. I paid US $200 for mine. Oddity.

[Zara_athlen]

The leon paul sydney jacket is an awesome jacket. Whatever chocie you make, just dont get an Uhlman one, they are overpriced and not made all that well. I'd recommend the LP one above all.

[achilleus]

Go Adidas and look like a superstar. Otherwise, Negrini is the straight dope in both FIE and non-FIE. LP makes a mean jacket too...

Um...
You do know that the Adidas jacket is the top of the line Uhlmann/Allstar Jacket, at a high price with stripes that fade.

[Stylothek]

The leon paul sydney jacket is an awesome jacket. Whatever chocie you make, just dont get an Uhlman one, they are overpriced and not made all that well. I'd recommend the LP one above all.

they are not overpriced, nonono, 135€ is the cheapest around! it's great living in germany...allstar/uhlmann is just much too cheap*g*, but adidas stuff is too expensive (well over 200€) and just not worth it, I agree. normal Startex does it too and doesn't fade. My next jacket after this one might be startex.

[miyamoto]

The leon paul sydney jacket is an awesome jacket. Whatever chocie you make, just dont get an Uhlman one, they are overpriced and not made all that well. I'd recommend the LP one above all.

I'm not familiar with Leon Paul, but I am with Uhlmann. Your post is the first time I have heard (read) about them not being made well. People say they are durable, comfortable, and worth every penny (and it's a comparable amount of pennies to LP).

What bad experience did you have with Uhlmann?

[davtsung]

Negrini. The last word.

[CvilleFencer]

I would also have to say that the Uhlmann kits I have come across are neither overpriced or less than excellant quality. When you are talking Uhlmann Olympia VS. LP Sydney you are sort of comparing a Porsche 911s to a Bentley Coupe. Both are great, well made, well engineered and pretty much the top of the line. The Bently however has ankle deep carpets, precisely matched woods and perfect seems where the Porsche has a bit more hard plastic and rough edges. It may be about $50G's cheaper than the flying B but if you can afford the B you will probably never regret it. Same with the LP kit. It is way to late for me to tell if that made any sense. G'night.

[davtsung]

Negrini be a Ferrari, insanely hot, insanely smooth, insanely overpriced if you live in the US.