Foil Bell Guards

[flyingfencer]

I'm looking for the original manufacturer for some bell guards that I had obtained many years ago, mid to late 1980's.

The original guards came with three electric foils that I had purchased from Santelli. They could be Leon Paul, but they have no stamp, which may be because they are quite well scratched from years of use.

These bells are tremendous. After many years of use they have no dents and have completely maintained their original shape. They appear to be aluminum and don't have rolled edges.

I've recently tried some Uhlmann aluminum bells; but after less than 3 months of use, they are already dented and misshapen.

Thanks in advance.

[CvilleFencer]

I have seen some of the older Leon Paul guards stand up to some tremendous abuse over time and still be functional. Also some of the older triplette guards were fairly unstoppable but they were both very heavy and tended to get nicks and chips around the edges to the point where you could use them as bagle knives!

I would suggest that you try out the new Vniti one peice bell guards. They are (supposedly) made with a Titanium alloy. Whatever they are made from the have not riveted center section to break apart and they are supper strong while not being any heavier than a mordern alluminim guard.

Best of luck.

[vincikai]

where can i get a vniti bell??

[CvilleFencer]

I think that Swordmasters carrys them. BG is where I used to get them. They do not list them on the website, you had to call up and ask for them, and depending on if they new/liked you they would have them or not. Kinda strange. The last time I tried to call there was a new girl answering the phone and she had no idea about anything. I heard about them from someone on fencing.net but I forget who. Maybe if they read this they will chime in with some other sources they may know of.

G'luck!

[HDG]

I'm looking for the original manufacturer for some bell guards that I had obtained many years ago, mid to late 1980's.

The original guards came with three electric foils that I had purchased from Santelli. They could be Leon Paul, but they have no stamp, which may be because they are quite well scratched from years of use.

If they're from Santelli in the mid-80s, they're either LP, France-Lames or maybe Prieur. If they're FL, you're out of luck (did they make guards??). What you've got sounds to me like LP equipment that as you state has just had the stamp obscured through years of use.

[CvilleFencer]

FL did in deed make guards, and grips for that matter, or at least had them private labeled and resold. I have an FL bell guard for one of my epees that I have been very happy with. I got the weapon from someone who had dropped the sport due to injury and have kept the guard for use in my main weapons. It is shaped a bit different than most being mor rounded and oblong than many guards, but its most distinguishing feature is that where the reinforcing plate is riveted on is sort of countersunk leaving the whole area flush with the rest of the guard. It seems to be holding together very well and I have never seen another design quite like it. If anyone has any of these lying around or knows where I could lay hands on some I would appreciate any info as I would love to have more.

[rsy]

They could be Leon Paul, but they have no stamp, which may be because they are quite well scratched from years of use.

These bells are tremendous. After many years of use they have no dents and have completely maintained their original shape.

LP makes a great lightweight yet very strong guard they identify as "Electric Foil Guard Super Strong Lightweight (Reference F70LW)". It is distinguishable from the other LP guards by its use of copper rivets. If your guard has the copper rivets, it could be this one. Except for the Vniti one-piece, I don't think there is another guard that is as strong and as light. Unfortunately for LP, the Viniti foil guard is just as light but even stronger than the LP.

-r

[Alex_Paul]

I have to agree that the Viniti ones are pretty good. I am not sure idf they are titanium alloy as the back surface appears to be anodised but they are certainly very strong. They actually weigh 45g compared to 38g for an LP so they are about half way between the weight of our standard and LW guards.

[mollusk]

where can i get a vniti bell??

Blade sells the Vnitit foil guard.

[flyingfencer]

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I'm going to order some of the LP F70LWs.

[rsy]

I have to agree that the Viniti ones are pretty good. I am not sure idf they are titanium alloy as the back surface appears to be anodised but they are certainly very strong. They actually weigh 45g compared to 38g for an LP so they are about half way between the weight of our standard and LW guards.

Alex,

I never weighed them other than by "heft", but as to strength, both the LP and the Vniti are clearly superior to anything else out there at that weight, perhaps even at any weight. Over the years, as guards got mangled beyond redemption, I replaced them, first with the LP LW & then with the Vniti. Since replacement, I have never had to even repair, much less replace either the LP or Viniti guards.

I don't know anything about the Vniti guards being a titanium alloy. The Vniti web site merely says they are made from an aluminum alloy.

-r

[flyingfencer]

After some much closer observations (borrowed my wife's reading glasses) of the old Bell Guards I currently have, I found a nearly scratched out stamp that indicates they were made in France. I'm guessing it was a France Lames?

Also, the bell guard I purchased recently and believed was an Uhlmann was really a cheap knock-off. I've since purchased a real Uhlmann bell guard and am giving that a try.

I've also purchased a Leon Paul LP F70LW and am trying this too.

[AntonioDelMonte]

Hey Guys, I Got some larger foil bell from a freind of mine does anyone know where i can get some more from i have rather large hands and i keep getting dinged in the hand

Rob

[rsy]

Hey Guys, I Got some larger foil bell from a freind of mine does anyone know where i can get some more from i have rather large hands and i keep getting dinged in the hand

Rob

The maximum size is 120mm. Many suppliers carry that size, including Fencing Post, Sword Masters and American Fencers Supply.

-r

[smeric28]

Alex,

I never weighed them other than by "heft", but as to strength, both the LP and the Vniti are clearly superior to anything else out there at that weight, perhaps even at any weight. Over the years, as guards got mangled beyond redemption, I replaced them, first with the LP LW & then with the Vniti. Since replacement, I have never had to even repair, much less replace either the LP or Viniti guards.

I don't know anything about the Vniti guards being a titanium alloy. The Vniti web site merely says they are made from an aluminum alloy.

-r

after consulting my materials and processes book. the only commercially avaliable aluminum alloy with enough strength would be an aluminum zinc alloy. probably 7075 (they use it to make aircraft parts)the guards would also need heat treated to be as tough as they are. there is one other posiblity an alloy called duranickle 301 it is a nickel alloy containing aluminum and titanium and it is extreamly tough. i would bet the nickel alloy is what they use, it's what i would use.