Absolute Fencing Gear

[mifencer]

In case people are wondering, Amanda started her new company: Absolute Fencing Gear. www.absolutefencinggear.com phone: 832-868-9133

She already has uniforms with the Absolute Fencing Gear logo. I don't know much about the uniforms, but some people were asking about Amanda.

[noodle]

http://www.fencing101.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14908

[mifencer]

Oops. Sorry! I obviously didn't see it.

feeling stupid now....

[DJ Apostrophe]

Just a bit more information for everyone:

I stopped by Amanda's booth while I was in Kansas and bought a few things from her. Her prices were very competitive, the quality of her base-line absolute branded stuff was nice (might be a notch above BGs stuff, even), and she has her son working for her building weapons and doing the armory type stuff. He does an excellent job at putting together a weapon, and takes the time to make sure it is done right.

Between Amanda's attentiveness to detail on the customer interaction and helping decide what to buy (she does a great job of recommending the "right" product to a customer, even when it is a cheaper model that won't make her as much money), and her son's (whose name I unfortunately do not know) excellent armory work, and outstanding equipment knowledge, I expect Absolute to be around for quite a while and do great things for the fencing community.

Thanks again Amanda.

-w

[cowpaste]

I have a general question about NAC shopping. How many vendors and what vendors usually show up? Are the prices they offer about the same as their websites or cheaper/expensivererer?

[oiuyt]

Suppliers are the same as BG's, quality is likely to be nearly identical, unless/until they start having noticibly different specs.

Amanda is a strong incentive to go with AF vs. BG is all else is equal.

Mmmm, need to remember to take care to abbrieviate American Fencer's Supply as AFS to differentiate from Absolute in the future.

-B :)

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I have a general question about NAC shopping. How many vendors and what vendors usually show up? Are the prices they offer about the same as their websites or cheaper/expensivererer?

Depends on location of the NAC. Some of the CA vendors tend to stay near/on that coast. Most of the East Coast vendros travel all over, but you'll occasionally lose one or two here or there for CA NACs.

Some vendors will offer a flat discount (15 or 20%) off of catalog prices for all NAC sales, others continue to sell at list. Some vendors will additionally have certain items (older discontinued items or new items that are just being introduced) at event-special pricing which can be very discounted. It used to be the case that at the end of events that discounts started taking place, but this hasn't been true in general for the past few years (too many people waiting for the last day I suspect and vendors decided that holding the prices was worth transporting unsold merchandise back home). Generally waiting until the end of the event just means that the vendor is more likely to be out of your size.

Nice thing about shopping at NACs is that you can see and feel (and try on) what you're buying before you plunk down the money. And no shipping costs (although it does result in more weight in your bags).

-B :)

[cowpaste]

I want to get myself a nice FIE kit. I'm sick and tired of fencing in ghetto beginner junk that makes me look stupid and leaves me with bruises (actually, the bruises are kinda fun).

I am considering going to the next NAC specifically to be able to try out new stuff and get discounts...I'll fence too of course. :P

[davtsung]

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I want to get myself a nice FIE kit. I'm sick and tired of fencing in ghetto beginner junk that makes me look stupid and leaves me with bruises (actually, the bruises are kinda fun).

I am considering going to the next NAC specifically to be able to try out new stuff and get discounts...I'll fence too of course. :P

You're gonna bruise a lot more with FIE stuff I'm sorry to say.

[CvilleFencer]

As Davtsung says FIE gear is for puncture resistance, not impact protection. Some of the padded or very thick double layer jackets such as some of the ones make by BG and the StM jackets from ELI are going to offer more impact protection than a lot of the thinner FIE suits.

[ReverseLunge]

Originally Posted by davtsung

You're gonna bruise a lot more with FIE stuff I'm sorry to say.

Thats not true. It's much less painful with the FIE uniforms.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by davtsung

You're gonna bruise a lot more with FIE stuff

In short: I do not agree with this, although I am sure it depends on which manufacturer you chose for your FIE kit.

The PBTs seem to be a little "thin" (some of my clubmates wear PBT), myself I've only ever used allstar kit. Love it.

[cowpaste]

I've felt the World Cup/Athens model jackets before. I am pretty damn sure I'm going to bruise less. Right now I'm using a ghetto full stretch nylon jacket. It offers such little bruise protection that I can feel the gawd danged imperfections in my opponents point!

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by davtsung

You're gonna bruise a lot more with FIE stuff I'm sorry to say.

That's not a universal statement. It's true in some situations (I went from the ultra-heavy triplette non-FIE to a very light Cartel FIE jacket and so I bruise more--still very much worth it), but on the other hand, going from a light nylon non-FIE to one of the thicker FIE jackets will certainly cut down on bruising.

[shango]

I've always used nylon gear, it's thinner and allows more movement and less heat is contained. As for protection from bruises, only my underarm protector is a heavy cotton, but other than that, all nylon. You can't escape all bruises in fencing.

[telkanuru]

Originally Posted by prototoast

That's not a universal statement. It's true in some situations (I went from the ultra-heavy triplette non-FIE to a very light Cartel FIE jacket and so I bruise more--still very much worth it), but on the other hand, going from a light nylon non-FIE to one of the thicker FIE jackets will certainly cut down on bruising.

I'm halfway sure that the bruising stems not only from the thickness of the fabric, but also from layers. For example, the Estoc FIE jacket is made of a fairly thin fabric (when compared to the Uhlmann jacket), but has a light cotton liner over the chest and the weapon arm. I'm pretty sure this cushions the blow, much like lining socks worn while hiking prevent blisters. As further evidence, I cite hearsay from people who believe their Underarmour stuff softens blows.


The best way to avoid bruises is still not to get hit, tho

[DJ Apostrophe]

I went from the Blade denim-ish jacket to the Allstart Startex. I bruise and get more skin abrasions when wearing it, particularly if i don't wear my underarm (a triplette denim thing that I hate, but haven't replaced yet.)

-w

[Purple Fencer]

Well...I dropped Amanda an email about her being my vendor for some parts, and I gotta say...she DOES get back to you quick! Less than a day for the initial email, within an hour or 2 for the follow ons.

[CvilleFencer]

I have been nothing but happy with her service so far. Our club (I do the ordering) has gotten about five shipments through her so far for about $1500 or so or assorted items. There have only been two problems, a double billing on one order and an overglove had some velcro that was not stitched properly at the factory (not anyone at AF's fault as it came that way sealed in a plastic bag).

Not only were Amanda and Cathy very quick to take care of the problems, they were very pleasant to work with, and got me some of the items on very short notice (to my door in three days) with no extra charge for the rush shipping. Also on the overglove she sent me out a replacement without waiting for me to mail her the damaged one or having to re-order it and wait for a credit as BG does. My new favorite vendor for club level gear. Still an LP junky for my personal stuff though...

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by DJ Apostrophe

I went from the Blade denim-ish jacket to the Allstart Startex. I bruise and get more skin abrasions when wearing it, particularly if i don't wear my underarm (a triplette denim thing that I hate, but haven't replaced yet.)

-w

You should ALWAYS wear a plastron. If you don't like the cheapie heavy cotton and can't afford a rediculously overpriced FIE one yet, at least get a cheapie nylon one that you WILL be willing to wear. Should be under $20.

-B :)