Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Jas2on · 06-07-2005, 12:23 PM

Its about time I replace some of my old beginner gear... Being honest to myself, I wont be going to any world cups anytime soon, so I dont NEED any FIE gear. What I do need is a good, durable, athletic cut jacket and durable mask. Is the Allstar Lyon any good? Or the Ulhmann? Any feedback would be great. Thanks!

miyamoto · 06-07-2005, 01:16 PM

Uhlmann/Allstar are both great, but to be honest, if you're not going FIE, you'd be better off buying house brand gear that you tried on and like (BG, Fencing Post, etc...)

If you are set on buying Uhlmann/Allstar gear, I would suggest buying direct from Germany and buying FIE.

Regardless, I would suggest getting an FIE mask regardless of what you decide...

KD5MDK · 06-07-2005, 05:43 PM

It really depends on your budget. Figure out what you're willing to spend, and then see what that buys you. You might also consider a mix. For example, knickers I think are less of a safety concern than the mask, jacket, plastron (in that order). So it would be reasonable if you're not concerned with mismatched brands and looks, to buy house brand knickers, an 800N plastron (Leon Paul's is the cheapest I've found) and a 350N jacket.

What weapon? Blue Gauntlet is selling Prieur FIE masks at a discount. I haven't looked at non-sabre masks, but excluding the BG brand FIE masks, and passing over Absolute (where it's a $25-35 savings), the Prieur is about $50 or more less than other FIE masks.

howtobrew · 06-07-2005, 05:51 PM

Anybody know what the Newton rating of TFP's PostSport uniform is? 350?
HtB

Purple Fencer · 06-07-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howtobrew

Anybody know what the Newton rating of TFP's PostSport uniform is? 350?
HtB

I don't know if Saul's ever had his stuff tested (probably an expense he can;t afford), but I DO know that I once saw him put an Uhlmann mask probe on one of his jackets and it passed....while an Uhlmann 350 failed (same test point on the jacket, too)

Not an accurate measure of puncture resistance, but fairly obvious.

howtobrew · 06-07-2005, 11:30 PM

Oh, for some reason I didn't realize it was their own brand. I figured it was an international company like Allstar. I guess I should do the ol' Biro test.
Thanks,
HtB

VELISARIOS · 06-08-2005, 05:22 AM

The durability and off Allstar and Ulhmann is the same.

Barry Paul · 06-08-2005, 05:28 AM

Testing a jacket with a mask probe is not a very good indication of strength of a material. Wide wovern cloths can be easily parted with a probe but stand up well with a high speed inpact test used to rate clothing.

Leon Paul will be at the nationals with a stand and should have samples of most kit and a limited amount for sale.

P.B · 06-08-2005, 07:08 AM

If you want kit that is as well finished as the FIE stuff but cheaper then I'd recommend the Leon Paul Competition range. This is what my wife has and the quality is as good (and in some places better) as my Allstar Startex jacket. I think the Competition range is quite a bit more expensive than the Uhlmann / Allstar Classic / Lyon range, but having owned a Classic jacket I'd say the extra premium is well worth it. The L-P Competition jacket is stretchy, lined and is better finished.

Purple Fencer · 06-08-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Paul

Testing a jacket with a mask probe is not a very good indication of strength of a material.

So how is that different than doing it with a plastic ballpoint pen???

The point was, the tests (which I said were not a tru measuremtn of puncture resistance) were done in the same place on each jacket with a steel probe, and under the same conditions.

Barry Paul · 06-08-2005, 03:58 PM

I though some one might ask this obvious question. I have the impression you are holding the mateial taught and testing like you would a mask to see if it penetrates.

When I pull the material accross a ballpoint I can get a feel to how the material is behaving, being pushed aside, tearing etc.. It's experience gained over many years.

demon_fencer · 06-08-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Paul

Leon Paul will be at the nationals with a stand and should have samples of most kit and a limited amount for sale.

Yeah!!!!!!!! Maybe now people will stop messing with my LP X-change sabre mask and buy their own.

BTW any chance of putting an order in now and picking it up at the tournament?

KD5MDK · 06-08-2005, 08:01 PM

Considering shipping is free and Summer Nats are a ways away, it seems like unnecessary delay unless it has to come from London or you're worried about shipping damage.

demon_fencer · 06-09-2005, 11:13 AM

Its not an unnecessary delay if you want to try something on before buying it. Why risk ordering a glove (or any other piece of clothing) that may not fit if the vendor will be showing up with multiple sizes?