Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

glowstix · 12-27-2004, 12:52 PM

ok, i'm down to two choices for my first fie masks, either a prieur or LP contour. does anyone have experiences with both of these?? all i know of are the uhlmanns since those are quite popular but i'm looking into the other two.

prototoast · 12-27-2004, 01:15 PM

I've heard nothing but good things about both masks. Probably I'd give the absolute advantage to the LP for the contour fit system, but ultimately I think my decision would come down to price (if the LP was cheaper, 100% get that, if the Prieur is cheaper, compare the savings to see if it's worth not having the contour fit system).

neevel · 12-27-2004, 02:49 PM

Having owned both, I'd lean towards the LP on the basis of comfort. The Prieur is still an excellent mask, and has what is probably the most durable mesh in the industry. The Prieur has very thick interior padding, which is great from the standpoint of handling hard hits, but can make it a bit of a tight fit if your head proportions are out of the ordinary.

-Dave

glowstix · 12-27-2004, 04:17 PM

the leon paul is a great deal but so is the prieur so as far as price is concerned, its about even. right now i'm leaning towards the prieur because of neevel's description.

thanks

CvilleFencer · 12-27-2004, 04:33 PM

Either one would be an awesome mask. The confort plus has some very cool features such as the extended bib, the light weight of the mask and the great, adjustable fit and easy clean enterior. The main things with the Prieur are that they last forever (of course so do the LP's) and that they are fairly cheap (which the LP are not) for an FIE mask. If you are having to pinch pennies and do not care about the extra features the Prieur is a great mask. If you like all the goodies and are willing to have all your clubmates drooling over your spiffy mask go with the LP.

Alain · 12-27-2004, 08:37 PM

Generally speaking, both makes are very good and I've heard good reviews for each.

Prieur do nice stuff (the first mask I ever had, when I was a kid) was from them and it lasted absolutely ages.

I've had LP masks too and they're good quality. Although I've never tried the contour fit, the people I know who have them seem very pleased.

The Uhlmann masks are alright, as you say, but I've not heard anything outstandingly for or against them.

Both the masks I use are from Duellist. The "Extreme" has a removable inner bib that's both practical and comfortable, and the "C-Thru" is the #1 mask supported by the FIE.

Anyway - all of the above would be a good choice, it just comes down to which you can find for less! I hope this helps

glowstix · 12-27-2004, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain

Both the masks I use are from Duellist. The "Extreme" has a removable inner bib that's both practical and comfortable, and the "C-Thru" is the #1 mask supported by the FIE.

whats that?? i've never seen that.

oiuyt · 12-28-2004, 12:37 AM

2 quick questions....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain

#1 mask supported by the FIE.

How are you defining this?

What percentage of your posts aren't shilling for Duelist?

-B :)

Alain · 12-28-2004, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oiuyt

2 quick questions....
How are you defining this?

http://www.duellist.com/UK/fencing.c...ks-New&pid=690 for foil/épée, http://www.duellist.com/UK/fencing.c...ks-New&pid=695 for sabre (same text, different picture).

Quote:

Originally Posted by oiuyt

What percentage of your posts aren't shilling for Duelist?

Er, perhaps not that many. Everyone tends to have a preferred brand of stuff, though. For clothes, I like Duellist, for blades I like Cartel, for shoes, Adidas... mind you my bag is from Prieur, my training kit is from Allstar, and so is my coaching jacket.

oiuyt · 12-28-2004, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain

http://www.duellist.com/UK/fencing.c...ks-New&pid=690 for foil/épée, http://www.duellist.com/UK/fencing.c...ks-New&pid=695 for sabre (same text, different picture).

Can you help with with a source for Duelist's claim "When the FIE Committee chose this mask to endorse as their International flag ship"?

How long has Duelist HAD lexan masks?

From conversations that I've had with a member of the SEMI commission (Dan DeChaine, member from the US) it very much surprises me that ANY vendor could claim to be endorsed by the FIE or the SEMI commission (presumably the committee cited in the text).

Thanks.
-B :)

Alain · 12-28-2004, 12:24 PM

Nope, not really, I've had a quick look on Google and couldn't find anything!

I've had my C-Thru visor mask since about March, and am really pleased with it. I used to have the LP Vision 2000, got one when they first came out years ago, and loved it to bits. The Duellist one is a little bit lighter, but more or less the same.

Does anyone else have a visor mask, what do you think about them, and what about fencing people who wear one?

glowstix · 12-28-2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain

Nope, not really, I've had a quick look on Google and couldn't find anything!

I've had my C-Thru visor mask since about March, and am really pleased with it. I used to have the LP Vision 2000, got one when they first came out years ago, and loved it to bits. The Duellist one is a little bit lighter, but more or less the same.

Does anyone else have a visor mask, what do you think about them, and what about fencing people who wear one?

i've heard visor masks suck in that they get scratches. personally i'm not obsessed with the visor thing. when i'm fencing, i don't even realize that i'm looking through a mesh...feels like i don't even have a mask on.

btw, i ordered the PRIEUR FIE mask...

SenorEste · 12-28-2004, 03:12 PM

I've got a LP Vision 2000 mask, that i received when i was younger and didnt really understand what i was getting, or why i wanted it.

I like the clear/seethrough/whatever aspect of the mask, i find i can see better in it than in a normal mask. I like how people can see my face. Yeah, the mask gets scratches and stuff, and is more pricy and tim consuming, but i like it overall.

Downsides to the mask are few, but important. It's heavy, compared to most other masks i use or used (TCA, BG, others). Also, there is a clear group of people decidedly against these kinds of masks, or at least have a social stigma associated with them. Comments said to me range from "Whoa cool mask, can i see it?" to the "Oh, you have... one of those masks? I dont know about those." to the outright "Whisky Tango Foxtrot go get a real mask"

Overall, i like the visor masks, and would like to see more of them, at least in foil and epee- the loss of the target area in sabre isnt cool. From what ive gathered they're safer/stronger, and are a good thing for the sports publicity i think, though not as much as some claim. I'm no clear mask obssessed fanatic.

If i were to get another mask, it'd be a tough choice going between either an LP FIE Comfort Fit, or the LP vision comfort fit.

vincikai · 12-29-2004, 12:04 AM

is LP u want!!!

glowstix · 12-29-2004, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincikai

is LP u want!!!

too late..

already ordered the prieur. at $129 from BG i couldn't resist.

DangerMouse · 12-31-2004, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowstix

too late..

already ordered the prieur. at $129 from BG i couldn't resist.

Wow, that's a great price for that mask.

glowstix · 01-03-2005, 03:35 PM

just got the prieur today. i've heard previously that there was a lot of padding on the inside but i don't see it. seems just normal to me. overall mask is light but doesn't seem that sturdy although it probably is, being FIE. its a bit tough to put on, almost like its too small but once i get it on it seems the right size with not much moving around when i bounce. i'm still deciding if i'm going to keep it or return it in favour of the leon paul.