weapon covers?

[Aerevon]

What type of covers do you use for you weapons? Right now, i'm just using a soft blade cover from Blue Gauntlet, but I was thinking of cutting some pvc pipe from Home Depot or something for more protection.....any thoughts?

[aikijohn]

Good Morning, Aerevon...

Well, I've used PVC tubing for my blade protection for about a year now and it has worked well. I additionally added a small packet of desecant in each tube, like the ones you find in vitamine jars, to further help with the elimination of moisture while storing weapons. It would be nice to find silicon-imprenated sleeves for fencing weapons; like the kind you can get for firearms, but I have yet to see such a thing.

[esskreemr]

Vinyl tubing works really well, is cheap, and softer so it won't scratch or damage anything else in your bag. Use the size that is slightly smaller than the end of the forte (where is meets the guard). That will help it stay on. The natural bend of the weapon will keep it on anyways.

[Aerevon]

desecant...that's a good idea, I never thought of that....I shall go and raid the medicine cabinet....

[shango]

PVC's the only good option.

[Inquartata]

In my hard plastic golf case I don't use anything on the blades. In my soft case I use PVC, because they help impart a sort of rigidity to the bag and make it easier to lug about. Never used the "blade condoms".

[Mergs]

1/2" PVC for foils and sabers, 3/4" PVC for epees, and a hard shell golf bag. Dessicant packs are a fantastic idea, especially if you tend to put your sweaty uniforms in with them. Not that a desicant pack will really make any difference with sweaty uni in the case, though. They don't absorb THAT much moisture!

[Alain]

Originally Posted by Aerevon

What type of covers do you use for you weapons? Right now, i'm just using a soft blade cover from Blue Gauntlet, but I was thinking of cutting some pvc pipe from Home Depot or something for more protection.....any thoughts?

I use garden hosepipe - it's green, if that makes a difference. The main thing is that once you've cut whatever you use to the right length, it: 1) protects the tips of your weapons, after you've spent all night making them just right, and (2) it stops your fencing bag from getting wholly...

I hope this helps

[voi3ad]

I've been using those as well. They can be found in bags of Doritos, and other snacks. A couple down into the glove and shoes if I'm running errands on the way home form practice. Just keep the candy-looking things away from little kids.

As for weapon covers, I've been looking at a vinyl-covered foam rifle case that is low-priced to put a single saber in, possibly two.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Alain

I use garden hosepipe - it's green, if that makes a difference.

Here at Fencing.net being green makes a difference!

[shlepzig]

I use the PVC and I attach a tubesock to the top with some zip ties.

I can slide the weapon in and pull the sock over the bell (My size 12 socks are big enough to pull over the epee bell). This keeps weapon in the tube and the guards from digging into sockets and such when I have a pile of weapons in my bag (a few foils, and few epees travel with me to practice and events).

I will probably put together a more attractive solution than the zip ties to hold the tubesock down, that it has done the trick thus far.

Shlep.

[The Armourer]

Originally Posted by Alain

I use garden hosepipe

As a matter of interest unless you have the equavalent blade length of approx 25 metres its best to find some old hose - I have spare hose in the garden shed as Alain does not have 25 metres of blade. Ebay - I will try selling it there ...

[Torg]

PVC is definitely the way to go. cheapest, and with most epee blades, 3/4 inch will fit nice and snug. if you've got a LP non FIE, for example, drill 2 small holes, get some bungie cord with hooks on the end.

[CvilleFencer]

I use 1/2" PVC for my foils, sabers and LP epees and 3/4" inch for my other epee blades. For the longest time I just put tape around rim of the oppening at one end to cushion the weapon being slammed in if I have had a bad day but lately I have been drilling a couple of holes and adding bungy cord to help keep them from shifting around. I do not cover the bottom end to let them breath, but I have a couple of industrial sized pakets of Dessicant in my bag to keep everything dry.

[Epee Scherma]

Where can you find industrial size desicant?

[CvilleFencer]

My mother actually found it for me. One of the guys who works for her also works part time at some kind of candy factory and it came in one of their big crates of supplies. They are about the size of a butterfinger candy bar an I have two of them in my bag so things stay nice and dry!

[voi3ad]

Here's 2 places to get them:

Dessicant Drying Packets Item Number: 5242 Sale Price:$2.99

DRIERITE 8oz Dessicant Bag #16137 Price: $ 1.25

[Torg]

thanks! the first link looks great! however, the second link got 404'd

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

blade condoms

Well, I never! Funny term, though. Definately going to have to repeat that one over and over every time I see one.

[voi3ad]

Here's the link:
DRIERITE 8oz Dessicant Bag #16137 Price: $ 1.25