Full uniform

[onewngdang]

I need to purchase the full set of items requisite for collegiate level sabre fencing, including (electric) sabres, mask, knickers, lame, jacket, glove, oversleeve, shoes, mask and body cords, basically the works. Looking for recommendations across the board to help out the process, price isn't entirely prohibitive though I certainly don't want to get ripped off anywhere along the lines. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[shango]

Go to Blue Gauntlet or Fencing Post for cheap yet good starting equipment.

[prototoast]

Go to Blue Gauntlet or Fencing Post for cheap yet good starting equipment.

Good suggestion. Only thing I would add is if you're committed to doing this, don't go cheap on mask, lamé, and body cords.

[akaiyuki]

The BG electric set should do it. I'd recommand the 100% nylon jackets and knickers that they have too.

[CvilleFencer]

What would make this much easier is if you gave us a price range. What has been suggested above is fine if you are desperate and have about $300 dollars to spend on everything you need. However you do get what you pay for. BG lames are made out of copper so they tarnish, smell bad and go dead in about 6 months on average. Their body cords are crap, and you would probably be better served by using and old extension cord, tinfoil prongs and some duct tape. Their masks are not stainless and you will soon have a nice coating of rush over your bib from rusted screws and mesh that could cause you mask to fail inspection, and of course you wind up breathing/tasting rust after every good hit, etc. If you have more like 5-700 to spend on everything you will be able to buy much safer, longer lasting, better performing kit that will wind up saving you money in the longrun. Some suggestions for top of the line kit that will last a very long time:

Mask: Arguably the most important item. It protects you head, and is also one of the most expensive things you can buy. Cheap ones rust and wear out very quickly along the check and around the reinforcement strip. Best way to go is the Leon Paul Exchange system. FIE, Stainless steel, no lame to wear away at the high stress areas and if the lame ever does go down, just by a new bib instead of a new mask. Failing that Uhlmann/Allstar and Negrinni make very good conventional masks. About $175-250

Body Cords: Leon Paul and Negrinni make the best, longest lasting cords around. Uhlmann/Allstar are a close second. About $30-45 and you will need two.

Lame: Get Leon Paul, Uhlmann, Infinity, Pbt or even Triplette. Just don’t get some POS lame as it most likely will have problems, a short life and in the longrun be a waste of money. The ELI and Fencing Post lames are made of stainless steel, although not as good a quality as other and last a good long time for their money. We have club ones that are over a year old so if you pocket book is hurting from your mask purchase, check them out. About $150-250

Glove: The LP Saber glove with electric cuff is great, the best of its kind I have found so far. Not only does it replace two items with one, it makes you a bit harder to hit! The Uhlmann ones are not bad. I have not tried any of the others. The great thing about the LP one is that you can throw the puppy in the washer! $50ish

Clothing: Whatever fits you budget. Blue Gauntlet and Fencing post clothing is good, and will last about a year of good use. I love the ELI uniforms. They look feel the closest to FIE that I have seen, are very durable (so far anyway) and they are a very good price. No need to buy FIE for saber unless you are in Europe. If you get good enough to be fencing abroad, chances are some will sponsor you!

Blades: I like StM blades a lot. Not two expensive, great feel and good lifespan. The odd thing is that with saber at least, most saber fencers I know care not at all what they fence with, and a lot of top shelf saberist use BG/SG blades. Don't go crazy spending money on blades and remember that their is no such thing as an FIE saber. Another tip. For about $6 (to cover the cost of a socket and some duct tape) you can convert a practice/steam saber to a competition grade electric saber! Just line the inside of the bell with duct tape and use it to insulate your pommel and stick the socket inside.

Anyway, hope all that was some help. Spending money on your mask and lame is good, but spending too much is bad. Below are some links for the companies I mention.

www.leonpaulusa.com
www.thefencingpost.com
www.shopeli.com
www.blue-gauntlet.com
www.fencepbt.com

[tpowell4]

I may have some FIE equipment that is of interest. Send me a note if you are interested. I believe I have two Allstar uniforms in great condition.

[prototoast]

Cville fencer gave a lot of great information. Adding my own emphasis, I'd probably buy a uniform (not glove) from ELI along with sabre blades (not complete weapons). Then I'd probably buy body cords and plugs from leon paul (possily a guard as well). Then I'm thinking get an uhlmann or pbt grip with an uhlmann or pbt pommel. Shoes are really a matter of personal preference (if you search, there are lots of existing threads on shoes). Blue-Gauntlent has a prieur FIE sabre mask (see their specials) on sale for about $150. That's a really good deal. For a lamé I'd say either go uhlmann, infinity, pbt or leon paul. Pbt is probably the cheapest (if you check their website, I'm not sure why, but their blue sabre lame is listed at $10 cheaper than their regular one).

[Nusy]

In clothing (uniform, breeches, glove, lamé) I can only recommend PBT as these feel the best, but I don't know too much of the others. Oh, and their cords are not too good.