Hole in Jacket

[broncofencer]

At the last tournament I went I had an epee tear a hole in my jacket sleeve. not a big hole but it is there none the less. This was a snag tear not a puncture so I am not to worried about the jacket being unsafe. Can I fix the hole and if so is it still usable for fencing even if only in practice? I have seen people with duct tape on their sleeves I assume for this type of thing but is this legal for competition?

Any suggestions would be helpful

[Inquartata]

I don't see why you couldn't mend a jacket. The rules do not say that a repair vitiates the "robust material" requirement. Although it might negate an FIE imprimatur, if your jacket has one of those and you fence outside the US.

[broncofencer]

It's not FIE or anything so no worries there. I only fence local stuff mostly and I would not use it for something like nationals or a NAC

[Frank Pratt]

The rules do specifically state that the uniform (jacket, knickers, glove, mask) must be free of holes and tears, so I think you’re jacket (unrepaired) would be illegal in competition. If the damage does not go all the way through the jacket, you might be in a gray area, but it could still be considered a "tear" and may therefore be illegal for competition. I wouldn't risk walking onto a strip with that jacket, especially at an NAC or other national tournament. If you patch it up, you should be okay, but the patch would need to go on the inside of the garment since another rule prohibits anything on the exterior of the uniform that can catch your opponent's blade. Duct tape or a patch that's sewed or ironed onto the outside would probably violate this rule.

As far as practice goes, anything goes (as far as USFA rules are concerned.) Just make sure you are not violating policies set by your club/salle or coach. Many would be okay with using a slightly damaged jacket for practice, but then again, some people think that a mask that failed the punch test is okay if you're "just practicing" (not I!) Practice is not necessarily safer than "real" fencing, especially if you are bouting. Be as safe as you can whenever you're playing with long, pointy objects.

[Mergs]

It'll be fine if you repair it with a strong thread (synthetic or heavy cotton, depending on the material of the jacket). Make sure that you don't sew it to the inner sleeve, though.

[broncofencer]

Thanks all I already have another jacket for competition but I didn't want to just toss this out as unusable when I could wear it for practice or give it out as a loaner jacket for lessons if needed (after all how many clubs have jackets for 6'+ lefties on hand)

[MyraTrue]

easily repaired, if you're handy with needle and thread, as the others have noted. Quilting thread is a heavy weight thread you can buy at Walmart etc, and it's been the best thing I've worked with. Like it better than dental floss. And if you're in dire need of patch material, most stores that sell fabric sell heavy duct (canvas), and you can get it in heavy weights.

We have 60+ beginners jackets in our club, and its a constant fight to keep them in good repair. Some jackets are so abused that I'd say the patch is the strongest thing on them. But repair anyway.