The age old argument - Quality Vs Cost!

[CvilleFencer]

For that matter you will need your name (and country just to be safe) on your kit at any NAC or USFA event. They have been really cracking down on that lately. Do make sure it is the correct size (8-10 CM) or you will by yourself a card and some grief. The Air Force guys got hit pretty hard at this last NAC because of that. And since the publicity code seems to be one of this years "Rules to Enforce with Extreme Prejuduce" you might also want to make sure you only have one club patch and that it is the right size and so forth.

[skermulo]

Actually, there are no restrictions on the number of club patches one may wear (provided they do not exceed the area allowed by the publicity code, I assume).

[oiuyt]

The USFA has been told that names on jackets/lames will be enforced strictly at the world cups this season. That, in turn, leads to the USFA having the FOCs instruct the referees to enforce the rule at the national level.

Inq might cite this as another example of the entire organization's direction being dictated by the needs of the elites (the elites need to get used to needing names that follow the rules, therefore everyone else is going to get tagged with strict enforcement as well).

The other hot topic for this season (for the same reason) is hair off the lames. If anything this is a bigger issue (also one MUCH more commonly a problem). The FIE has already stated that they will agressively be enforcing the covering rules where it comes to hair in both foil and sabre. If hair so much as covers a bit of collar then there's a problem. Get used to having the hair up or in now. Make sure it stays that way. Official instructions that were being given to referees in Richmond were to get the hair off the lames at the beginning of the pool. If it comes undone the first time, stop the action, have the fencer replace it and warn him/her to make sure it doesn't/cannot happen again. If it happens again (hair falling out of however it was put up and onto lame) out comes the card. I did not see this being enforced quite that draconically in VA, but there were enough referees being talked to about it afterwards by FOCs that this will progressively become more and mroe strictly enforced.

It was specifically pointed out that these rules apply just as much to sabre as they do to foil, despite the, up-until-now general action of ignoring it as unlikely to affect a sabre cut's validity. Foilists are used to having to get their hair up. Now sabre fecners better get used to it. That means having the required hair accessories, and getting used to the feel of having your hair either up or inside your lame while fencing.

Well, if THAT doesn't belong in a discussion of quality vs cost in equipment, I don't know what does. *innocent look* thread drift, me? *innocent look*

-B :)

[40Saberthieves]

I'm big fan of need. If you need FIE stuff, get it.

FIE level equipment didn't exist until the early to mid 80's, and it didn't come into common usage until later. Many countries don't require it for national level competitions. France and the US are examples.

My current coach laughs at all the beginners in the area. Within a couple of weeks, they are all decked out in FIE, and he consider's it a waste of money. He started fencing in the Eastern Bloc years ago, before FIE equipment, and he didn't purchase an Allstar FIE Uniform until he'd been fencing for 20 years. He's not that old, he still competes and isn't elgible for veterans events.

I've been to camps with Kolobkov, epee fencer extrodanaire, at practice wearing sweatpants.

So, is it neccessary to own and wear all FIE stuff, including the plastron and FIE undershorts? No. Is it safer? Most likely.

The big question is do you need it? It won't help your fencing, but it may save you if you're in accident.

My coach fences us with a mask, a sweatshirt and sweatpants. In sabre.

Then again, he is russian and he is probably too drunk to feel pain anyway.

That and he is hard to hit anyway. But he is still crazy.

[glowstix]

I've been to camps with Kolobkov

lucky you..

So, is it neccessary to own and wear all FIE stuff, including the plastron and FIE undershorts? No. Is it safer? Most likely.

The big question is do you need it? It won't help your fencing, but it may save you if you're in accident.

for me, the mask is still the main issue. if its one piece of FIE gear you should have thats it.

[Torg]

For that matter you will need your name (and country just to be safe) on your kit at any NAC or USFA event. They have been really cracking down on that lately. Do make sure it is the correct size (8-10 CM) or you will by yourself a card and some grief. The Air Force guys got hit pretty hard at this last NAC because of that.

so that's your name on your jacket and knickers (back leg), and the country on just the jacket?

[Katman]

The other hot topic for this season (for the same reason) is hair off the lames. If anything this is a bigger issue (also one MUCH more commonly a problem). The FIE has already stated that they will agressively be enforcing the covering rules where it comes to hair in both foil and sabre. If hair so much as covers a bit of collar then there's a problem. Get used to having the hair up or in now. Make sure it stays that way. Official instructions that were being given to referees in Richmond were to get the hair off the lames at the beginning of the pool. If it comes undone the first time, stop the action, have the fencer replace it and warn him/her to make sure it doesn't/cannot happen again. If it happens again (hair falling out of however it was put up and onto lame) out comes the card. I did not see this being enforced quite that draconically in VA, but there were enough referees being talked to about it afterwards by FOCs that this will progressively become more and mroe strictly enforced.

It was specifically pointed out that these rules apply just as much to sabre as they do to foil, despite the, up-until-now general action of ignoring it as unlikely to affect a sabre cut's validity. Foilists are used to having to get their hair up. Now sabre fecners better get used to it. That means having the required hair accessories, and getting used to the feel of having your hair either up or inside your lame while fencing.

Not to derail the thread too much, but it's about time. I bun my hair up at practice and every tournament and it cheeses me a bit when I see other long-haired fencers not doing the same.

[CvilleFencer]

so that's your name on your jacket and knickers (back leg), and the country on just the jacket?

Actually it is your name on your jacket/lame OR your pants. You do not have to have both, but it never hurts, and while I don't think you country is required for USFA events, it is the same price to get both as it is to get one at most palces so why not. The moral is just have your name, in the correct lettering/coloring/size in one of the two approved places on your kit or you risk cards and such.

[neevel]

Here's what I usually recommend to people for gear-buying strategy:

When you purchase your first set, just get basic, non-FIE stuff (BG, JL, PostSport, AF now that Amanda's up and running). That'll get you through a couple of years, after which time you'll have a good idea as to how deeply you're into this. If you're active and competing when your first set of kit starts wearing out, go straight to FIE gear, skipping over the mid-range, non-FIE stuff.

[P Barbasiewicz]

Ludicrous,

Providing you can afford and you intend to train/compete regularly then I would go for the FIE equipment. Its well worth the money from the mileage you will get out of it and it would be handy if you compete. Don't know what the regulations are like in NZ but here in the UK you need a minimum of 350N jacket and 800N plastron in some domestic competitions including the Nationals, otherwise its 350/350N (800N each for internationals).

However, as you're relatively new to fencing by the sounds of things I would start off with the non-FIE stuff and gradually build your own set of kit up (unless you can afford buying the full set at once), which is what I did. Once you are more settled in then consider upgrading to FIE equipment.

Good luck!

[Hurriranger]

urgh, we need FIE gear for the national u17 in australia, have to beg the older people to lend em

[LUDICROUS]

AFAIK, we dont need 800N gear for the nationals in NZ.

Should have gone to it last year