Uhlmann/Allstar

[VoidRoamer]

A number of people have told me that much of Uhlmann's equipment is
rebadged stock from other manufacturers. I think I remember seeing
once or twice on a few online stores selling Uhlmann gear that the
foil blades were manufactured by Allstar. Furthermore the two often
seem closely associated with one another.

Is this the case? If so, what is the difference between one and the
other and is it possible to find better prices by purchasing from the
actual manufacturer?

Thanks.


--
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.

[David Neevel]

Allstar bought Uhlmann some years ago. They remain separate operations,
but share the basic design of many items (uniforms, masks, gloves, etc),
although Allstar clothing tends to be cut a bit more trim in the body.
Both companies have always "badge-engineered" their blades, buying them
from forges and then stamping their own label on them. This is not an
uncommon practice-- PBT and other companies also go this route with
their blades. Uhlmann and Allstar both sell Blaise Freres (BF) blades as
their top-of -the-line, and then sell blades from various east-european
forges (Vniti, StM, etc.) as an "economy" line. You frequently can find
blades from these forges elsewhere for less money (BF blades from
Triplette, Vniti blades from Blue Gauntlet, Blade/Fencesmart).

One change within the last year is that Uhlmann purchased the old
Scaroni forge and put it back into operation-- Uhlmann "FS" blades are
made there.

For FIE blades, at least, Uhlmann and Allstar will typically have a code
in their stock no. indicating the forge (BF= Blaise Frere, FS= Uhlmann
Scaroni, SM = StM, VN= Vniti, etc.).

-Dave


VoidRoamer wrote:

>A number of people have told me that much of Uhlmann's equipment is
>rebadged stock from other manufacturers. I think I remember seeing
>once or twice on a few online stores selling Uhlmann gear that the
>foil blades were manufactured by Allstar. Furthermore the two often
>seem closely associated with one another.
>
>Is this the case? If so, what is the difference between one and the
>other and is it possible to find better prices by purchasing from the
>actual manufacturer?
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>
>

[VoidRoamer]

I didn't realise that. Thanks very much David.

David Neevel wrote:

> Allstar bought Uhlmann some years ago. They remain separate
> operations, but share the basic design of many items (uniforms,
> masks, gloves, etc), although Allstar clothing tends to be cut a bit
> more trim in the body. Both companies have always "badge-engineered"
> their blades, buying them from forges and then stamping their own
> label on them. This is not an uncommon practice-- PBT and other
> companies also go this route with their blades. Uhlmann and Allstar
> both sell Blaise Freres (BF) blades as their top-of -the-line, and
> then sell blades from various east-european forges (Vniti, StM,
> etc.) as an "economy" line. You frequently can find blades from
> these forges elsewhere for less money (BF blades from Triplette,
> Vniti blades from Blue Gauntlet, Blade/Fencesmart).
>
> One change within the last year is that Uhlmann purchased the old
> Scaroni forge and put it back into operation-- Uhlmann "FS" blades
> are made there.
>
> For FIE blades, at least, Uhlmann and Allstar will typically have a
> code in their stock no. indicating the forge (BF= Blaise Frere, FS=
> Uhlmann Scaroni, SM = StM, VN= Vniti, etc.).
>
> -Dave
>
>
> VoidRoamer wrote:
>
>>A number of people have told me that much of Uhlmann's equipment is
>>rebadged stock from other manufacturers. I think I remember seeing
>>once or twice on a few online stores selling Uhlmann gear that the
>>foil blades were manufactured by Allstar. Furthermore the two often
>>seem closely associated with one another.
>>
>>Is this the case? If so, what is the difference between one and the
>>other and is it possible to find better prices by purchasing from
>>the actual manufacturer?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>

--
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.