Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

pixie · 06-10-2005, 05:55 PM

Personally, I just wouldn't be able to knowingly take/steal a piece of fencing equipment that didn't belong to me, without being beridden with guilt. And even if I did accidently use/take something that didn't belong to me I would still feel pretty bad about it.

fencerchica · 06-10-2005, 05:59 PM

I was once reeealllly tempted to keep an abandoned weapon at an event, but I just felt too damn guilty, so I turned it in to the bout committee. Really, it was a selfish decision, because the guilt would've outweighed the pleasure of hanging onto it!

epeeisky · 06-10-2005, 09:25 PM

I don't understand how a person can leave something behind at a tournament. With all the time and work I put in to keep all my weapons in perfect working order, I am positiv that I have all my equipment in my bag before I leave, and very close to me at a tournament.

mrbiggs · 06-10-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epeeisky

I don't understand how a person can leave something behind at a tournament. With all the time and work I put in to keep all my weapons in perfect working order, I am positiv that I have all my equipment in my bag before I leave, and very close to me at a tournament.

I'm always hot, sweaty, disappointed, tired, and bored, so I usually book it pretty quickly.

Sisyphus · 06-10-2005, 10:38 PM

I've never purposefully taken, stolen or accidentally "inherited" any fencing equipment. My concern with used clothing, weapons, etc. is the "mojo" left by the former owner of the item. For example, what if he/she was a lousy fencer? What if they were prone to black cards? Perhaps they met with a mysterious death? etc. So I really don't like to use used equipment.

However, the best saber I have ever had, I picked up at an end of the season "lost & found" give away. Complete and unmarked, it was fairly new with a light and whippy 2000 blade. In fact I like to think the former owner of the saber must have been quite good (at least better than I) because it was my luckiest weapon. Definitely no bad karma there.

fencinman89 · 06-12-2005, 01:14 AM

Thats not a bad thing, Getting better people's karma to rub off on you.
-Tre'

Mo · 06-12-2005, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisyphus

I've never purposefully taken, stolen or accidentally "inherited" any fencing equipment.

Are you the person who has to push the rock up the hill for eternity??

Why do I recognize this name?

lfortier · 06-13-2005, 01:04 AM

Never, and have no interest at all as I keep my gear in great shape and buy the best I can afford.
I was at the NAC in Overland Park, KS this January buying stuff with my bag off to the side when I saw some sketchy looking oriental guy sneakily reaching WAY down in my equipment bag. When I ran over, he bolted into a crowd of people as soon as he realized I knew what he was up to. Creep.

Couldnt find him either.

foildad · 06-13-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfortier

Never, and have no interest at all as I keep my gear in great shape and buy the best I can afford.
I was at the NAC in Overland Park, KS this January buying stuff with my bag off to the side when I saw some sketchy looking oriental guy sneakily reaching WAY down in my equipment bag. When I ran over, he bolted into a crowd of people as soon as he realized I knew what he was up to. Creep.

Couldnt find him either.

Oriental? I thought that had gone the way of the N-word. I believe the correct term is Asian. Even is he was a sketchty, sneaky, quick getaway mother f***er.

MHS Fencer · 06-13-2005, 03:36 AM

Brian, buddy, where you been?
The term is Asian-American!
I know you are no
Intending to be
But calling me Oriental -
Offensive to me!

thank you Avenue Q

Inquartata · 06-13-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foildad

Oriental? I thought that had gone the way of the N-word. I believe the correct term is Asian. Even is he was a sketchty, sneaky, quick getaway mother f***er.

I'm sure that lfortier was merely a bit disoriented at the moment.

foildad · 06-13-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I'm sure that lfortier was merely a bit disoriented at the moment.

But now he'll be remembered as the guy who put the "dis" in disorient.

lfortier · 06-13-2005, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MHS Fencer

Brian, buddy, where you been?
The term is Asian-American!
I know you are no
Intending to be
But calling me Oriental -
Offensive to me!

thank you Avenue Q

sorry, I'll fix it. Growing up, my family used all of those terms as a reference to Asians, but the word "oriental" just ends up getting used more often. When I was telling my story about the man at the NAC, I meant to use it to describe that particular man. I dont mean anything negative towards that race.

Anyways, this could be a bit of an interesting topic....

lfortier · 06-13-2005, 06:35 PM

For some reason I cant fix that one post because the edit button is gone.weird.

Anyways, I will asap.

I guess it could let others do a bit of back tracking who want to add to something, though.

Joe biebel · 06-14-2005, 05:54 PM

When I was (1970-76) in college, there were actual thefts of fencing gear at tournaments. After I had all of the equipment I needed, the thefts stopped. Hmmmm, quite a coincidence there. Since then, until recently I think the majority of equipment gone missing, was the result of either inadvertant acts or abandonment. My equipment has pretty much stopped disappearing since I went to the trouble to carefully and ledgibly mark everything. Name and telephone number. My sons gear was disappering at a high rate also, until we went to the trouble to mark everything.

For a short time there was high suspician about a couple of people I knew that would show up with gear to sell after going to NAC's etc. to referee for a weekend. They need to pay referees more. All of it, apparently made from bits and pieces "picked up" stripside from tournaments. Sort of a "chop shop" for fencing gear. These guys have "disappeared" fortunatly.

lfortier · 06-15-2005, 11:01 AM

I guess there's another benefit to being left handed-not as many people who'd steal gear would actually take it unless they were leftys themselves- especially when its weapons, jackets, ect that they're out to get.

FencerGuy900 · 06-22-2005, 12:07 AM

I think that there is an unwritten something that keeps us civilized. There is always the group espeacially at nationals that will pile-drive your knee if you say you've had problems but nothing illegal. --But just the same I lock up my stuff. The Jimmy Hoffa bag that Tripplette has, allows the two zippers to interlock. I put the lock between them and its secure.

Artisan · 11-26-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

I must have handed in close to a $1000 dollars of equipment to the bout committee over the years, even before I started doing armoring and became a division officer.

So, what do you think the bout committee does with all this Found equipment? Especially if it has no names on it? I'll venture that many a tournament organiser has outfitted their clubs, team mates, children, and friends with all the unmarked and unclaimed stuff that gets left behind.

yeoldearmourer · 11-26-2005, 07:18 AM

I cant tell you the amount of equipment left ayt my repair booth. But since I require a fill form. I make a effort to return the equipement but even then some people dont fill out the form . After 30 days the equipement is mine. Stated on the repiar tag.

D'Artag-NOT · 11-26-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artisan

So, what do you think the bout committee does with all this Found equipment? Especially if it has no names on it? I'll venture that many a tournament organiser has outfitted their clubs, team mates, children, and friends with all the unmarked and unclaimed stuff that gets left behind.

The bout committee at my division holds a silent auction of all unclaimed and unmarked gear at the end of the season to raise money for the division.