in need of equipment for 7 yr.old

[fencing_mom]

I am looking for gently used equipment for a RH 7 yr.old (foil)
Glove - XXXS
Lame
Jacket - front close would rock!
He is only 7 so we need a childrens small.

I cant really see spending $300 on new equip. when he is just going to grow out of it in a year.

Also I was told that we could use baseball pants instead of knickers and that we could use a batting glove and add the cuff on it. What do you think of this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[vincikai]

"baseball pants instead of knickers"
yep thats fine...jacket? a good sport sweatshirt will do. maybe about 15~30$

" use a batting glove and add the cuff on it"
no no if i am you i would spend 10$ buy a fencing glove.
and spend some money buy a new foil too dont buy second hand foil nor blade. its about 20~30$ get a #5 blade anyway.
and since his head wont grow "or maybe it will i dont no" i always thought after 10th year chirld's head wont get any bigger ;p
so...buy a nice new mask too about 50 ~65$ over that price "you are just wastein ur money ;p"


why do you want your son start fencing so early? get him start at least after 9

[Stylothek]

jacket? a good sport sweatshirt will do. maybe about 15~30$

Please, do your son the favour of getting him a jacket. After all this is one of the most important protective gear there is, along with mask and glove.
A decent used jacket can often be ordered via ebay or ask the older kids in the club if they have grown out of something.
And what's wrong with starting at 7 years of age? I started around that age, I survived.

EDIT: I still have a pair of Uhlmann fencing pants sized 164, they're in quite good shape, PM me if you are interested.

[JEC]

Let me give you some advice. My son started at age 7 and now he is almost 13.

Mask - This is the most important aspect. Buy a reputable mask manufacturer. My son is still using the XS Uhlmann mask that I bought at age 7. He is almost ready for a FIE mask S size. (Fencing Post is a good vendor) Used masks might fail.
Jacket - You could buy a padded cotton jacket from several vendors. My son was quite satisfied with one from Fencing Post, which he wore for at least a couple of years.
Knickers - Baseball pants are ok, but later you will need knickers because they overlap 10cm with the jacket. Issue is safety.
Shoes - use tennis shoes until he is competitive
Glove - fencing gloves again overlap over the jacket sleeve.
Underarm protector - you could get a cotton one that will last 3 or 4 years. This is required for competitions.
Plastic chest protector - this might decrease discomfort. not necessary.
Foil]he advice above is incorrect. Kids fence at least until age 10 with smaller blades #0 or #2. If you are competing, almost all competitions are electric foil.
Lame - there are cheap lames that do not last longer than a year, and can not be washed. If you spend a little more, you can get an electric lame jacket from Allstar or Uhlmann that will last 2 even 3 years and are washable.

[prototoast]

I would recommend using a cheap vendor like triplette, blue gauntlet or the fencing post and getting him real fencing gear, though of lesser quality.

[fencing_mom]

First, thanks for all of your input. Quade has been intersted in fencing since he could walk. We did not have any fencing clubs or instructors in our area untill last year or I would have tried to start him even earlier. His instructor wasnt sure if he would be old enough but she wanted to meet him. From their first meeting she felt he was a natural and he was well behaved (at leat he is at the club!!) and mature enough to start private lessons.
- So when he kicks your butt some day you can say "hey I remember when he was only 7 and his mom was looking for equipment!"

I just checked with blue gauntlet and their prices are better than others that I have found. I just hate to pay that much when I know he is going to grow out of it in a year.

If I can get the stuff he will be in his first competition in November.

[JEC]

What I tried to tell you too is that for some items, he is not going to grow out of them in a year. Mask and jacket may last several. Thus, get him measured with the equipment of your club members and then order something that fits him but is a "ted" larger.

[fencing_mom]

JEC- good idea, thanks.

Are all of the jackets washable? I've smelled some of the ones at the club... AHHH stinky!

[JEC]

Yes, they are but remember that cotton shrinks and FIE jackets have to be wash in warm/cold cycle. Dry them with delicate cycle or air dry.

[Archdaledoc]

I have a 13 year old and a six year old fencing. I feel your pain. Best bet for decent equipment and a decent price is Triplette Competitive Arms in Elkin, NC. http://www.triplette.com/sport%20fencing/ The starter kits get you into the whole deal for about 140 bucks. Then you aren't buying used stuff for about the same price. Another great place is www.physicalchess.com. Our club just bought several electric foils, cords, etc and they are awesome for the price. I think their starter set is even cheaper. Best wishes.