Best Equipment

[anglicky šermíř]

Im a intemediate fencer and i was wondering what the best kinds of gloves, jackets, blades, and face masks were and where i might be able to purchase them. Any help would be great, Thanks.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by anglicky šermíř

Im a intemediate fencer and i was wondering what the best kinds of gloves, jackets, blades, and face masks were and where i might be able to purchase them. Any help would be great, Thanks.

Are you looking for top of the line, money is no object? Are you looking for a good deal for your money? Or are you looking for the best bargain stuff?

Are you looking for electric equipment?

What weapon do you fence?

Have you consulted your coach?

What level do you plan on fencing at?

Where do you come from?

All of these questions are relevant to the answer...by the way, the accents on your name are awesome.

[LUDICROUS]

What country are you in? In the USA there are many domestic fencing companies. Eg Blue Gauntlet, Blade, Fencing Post, list goes on.

Whats your budget? Do you think you will be sticking with the sport for a long time?( You say you are an intermediate fencer, but you could easily change your mind!)

Do you want top end gear?

Leon Paul, Allstar/Uhlmann, PBT, Cartel, Prieur are all good european companies with good reputations.

[anglicky šermíř]

I fence with a german grip foil. im looking for the best intermediate cost range equipment. My level of fencing is getting ready to compete but still in a local class. Right now im looking for a non electric blade but one possiblely later on.

[KD5MDK]

It very much matters what country you're in. If you're in Hungary, I recommend PBT. If you're in China, I don't.
Also, if you're getting ready to compete buying a dry blade seems like a bad idea to me. As soon as you start competing you'll need 2 electric weapons, and you'll have a dry weapon only good for practice and lessons, not even club bouting.

[Templar147]

I definitely agree - if you plan on competing, even locally, you will need electric equipment. As per investment, you have to remember, all weapons have their costs... Epees and foils are prone to equipment failure (regardless of brand, wires and tips break or malfunction) and with sabre (and foil) you need to purchase a lame and a conductive mask (sabre).

I live by the creedo - if i can keep it longer than a year, I will buy the best - if not, I settle with the rest. What i mean is, jackets/knickers/masks last forever (unless you DRASTICALLY change body size). IF you see yourself as being around the shape/size you are now, good whites will be extremely safe, breathable, and confortable.

weapons, which (especially for myself being a lefty saberist) break all the time, are something where I buy in mass and can just replace as they go down. I have bought expensive stuff and watched it break in two weeks, and had cheap chinese blades last 8 months... but i like cheap blades for at least sabre as it is such a destructive weapon.

[KD5MDK]

At the very least, buy an unwired electric blade and then get it wired when you're ready for electric fencing. However, to me the thought of not fencing electric is so alien that I'd be quitting if I didn't get the chance within at least a few months of starting fencing.