American Fencers Supply Co.

[wddragon]

Any advice or previous experience with American fencers supply?
I'll be stopping by there next week, can anyone tell me if there is anything I should not get from them?

[its_me_mango]

i need a new glove for now, i just ordered some new weapons from one vendor, and i liked the shoes i saw from another vendor, but i did notice that american had some nice gloves, and gloves are really important, my glove is rather thin and i'm getting wacked on the hand. any suggestions for really good glove for padding?

[Inquartata]

When I was still green in sabre I was always getting countercut on the back of the hand ( which was still target back then ), so much so that it never had time to heal properly before getting whacked again in the same spots. So I lined up four of those curved, padded, aluminum finger-splints and sewed a piece of leather over them. Granted that was more armor than padding, but it worked like a charm. You could do the same with a piece of heavy leather, or the stiff plastic used to make the dividers for notebooks, for instance---sew or glue it over wherever you're getting popped.

As to American, I find them overpriced for the most part, but their quality is fine. I have only bought things from them that I couldn't get cheaper elsewhere, but some people swear by them.

[damianip]

Originally posted by wddragon:
<STRONG>Any advice or previous experience with American fencers supply?
I'll be stopping by there next week, can anyone tell me if there is anything I should not get from them?</STRONG>

What exactly are you thinking of getting?

I've used them plenty and stopped in once when I was on the "Left Bank" on business.

They've always been good for me. They carry some items that other vendors don't. Negrini equipment springs to mind.

Paolo

[MikeHarm]

I love their video selection, great stuff.

Mike

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

Originally posted by wddragon:
<STRONG>Any advice or previous experience with American fencers supply?
I'll be stopping by there next week, can anyone tell me if there is anything I should not get from them?</STRONG>

Their own products are quality for the price you pay. Name brand stuff from Europe is a bit expensive compared to other dealers. However, they do provide a variety of items others don't carry like Negrini FIE clothing.

[neevel]

Like Santelli, their house brand items are mid-range (i.e., a step above budget stuff, but not FIE homologated quality) and generally will give you good quality in exchange for a somewhat higher price. The one thing where I would look elsewhere is their own-brand lames-- they use a good quality stainless fabric, but the assembly & sewing is a bit crude compare to Santelli, Uhlmann, and others. Also, the stretch nylon used for their uniforms is fairly thick; while it provides good padding compared to some other non-FIE stretch uniforms, it doesn't breathe or wick away sweat as well as others, and so gets a bit hot.

American's big strength is their selection, and the ability to get items that many other vendors don't have available. If, for example, you need spare parts for those old Prieur or Uhlmann upright reels at your club, they can probably find them for you.

-Dave

[ 11-15-2001: Message edited by: neevel ]

[Miguelito]

I'd agree w/ others' observations that they carry products that other dealers don't stock. I recently decided to pick up a Leon Paul epee blade and they seem to be the only dealer to stock them here in the US. (If anyone knows of other dealers who carry them I'd love to know.)

Miguel

[wddragon]

Thanks for all the great suggestion, I'm not sure what I end up getting yet, my wish list is long, and my cash is short.
From what I gotten so far, there stuff is a bit over price but pretty good quality.

[damianip]

Originally posted by Miguelito:
<STRONG>I'd agree w/ others' observations that they carry products that other dealers don't stock. I recently decided to pick up a Leon Paul epee blade and they seem to be the only dealer to stock them here in the US. (If anyone knows of other dealers who carry them I'd love to know.)

Miguel</STRONG>

Santelli carries LP also.

Paolo

[rustica]

I haven't been to American in a while, but when we did drop in, the staff was great and helpful. It is also fun to chat with the other shoppers, who else but fencers would venture inside? As to cost, remember what you are saving in shipping charges from purchasing through catalog or online.

[fencerjim]

Hi
You might want to try Tripelette Competition Arms. They have always been very good to me.
Jim