Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Army Fencer · 06-25-2005, 02:35 PM

I'm going to be fencing in my first World Cup in Vancouver in a few weeks.

I took a glance at my Allstar FIE uniform and noticed a 2001 on my jacket and a 1998 on my knickers. I know that in times past, FIE uniforms had expiration dates. Is my uniform legal?

DHCJr · 06-25-2005, 02:45 PM

There is no expiration on equipment as long as it meets current specification. The only exception at this time is the visor on the mask expires in 2 years.

All Jackets, Breeches AND underarm protector must be 800 newtons. You did not mention an underarm protector. Make sure it is FIE also.

Goofy · 06-25-2005, 02:50 PM

The Athlete's Handbook simply states that a complete FIE uniform is required- it does not mention an expiration date on the FIE stamp. In addition to the 800N (no longer 800/350) jacket, plastron, and breeches, I believe your mask needs to have a 1600N bib.

And don't forget the transparent mask, and national colors on both legs of the breeches.

DHCJr · 06-25-2005, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofy

And don't forget the transparent mask, and national colors on both legs of the breeches.

WRONG!

The transparent mask is ONLY required for Sabre. If a fencer put the national colors on both legs, THIS season, they would need to buy a new set of breaches as they would be illegal. Both these rules by the FIE Executive committee, which must be ratified by the FIE congress, STARTS at the next World Championship.

Goofy · 06-25-2005, 04:48 PM

So no one else makes this same mistake (which has happened in other threads, I believe) here's the equipment requirement off of the USFA site. The 2005 Leipzig World Championships run from 8 October 2005, through 15 October, 2005; I think that the lack of dates in the notice has contributed to the confusion, as not everyone realizes the USFA calendar contains the WC dates since they do not apply to them.

"As of March 1, 2005, transparent (Lexan) masks are required for all Men's and Women's Saber World Cup Grand Prix and Team competitions. Transparent masks are required at all weapons for World Championships (all categories) starting with the 2005 Leipzig World Championships. This is not a requirement for Junior World Cups, but it is a requirement for Junior World Championships. The date of manufacture, which is valid for two years, must be present on the Lexan.

Wireless Saber is now required at all Senior World Cup Grand Prix and Team competitions. Competitors are required to purchase their own "wireless T-shirt."

Starting with the 2005 World Championships in Leipzig, national colors must appear on both legs of the competitor's knickers. The designs of the national colors must be identical for all fencers from the same federation. This is not a requirement for Junior World Cups, but it is a requirement for Junior World Championships."

RebelFencer · 06-25-2005, 05:56 PM

Just curious...but can you have the visor part replace every two years or do you have to buy a brand new mask?

DHCJr · 06-25-2005, 07:13 PM

Yes, you can just replace the visor. There are 2 dates on the mask, one on the mask itself and one on the visor.

This is one of the many things that bother me about mask safety taking a step backwards. You can do it yourself. Now think this, what if you don't tighten them properly and they come loose.

Goofy · 06-25-2005, 07:43 PM

I'm sure this has come up in another thread, or should possibly be one of its own, but any recommendations on which are the better transparent masks?

DHCJr · 06-25-2005, 09:15 PM

A legal one.

There are only 4 manufacturers of legal masks. Make sure they have one of these names in the FIE shield. The 4 are Allstar, Gajardoni, Leon Paul and PBT.

great bowyer · 06-25-2005, 10:25 PM

i have never heard of Gajardoni, where are they from? are they any good?
also uhlmann doesn't make the lexan masks?

afc fencer · 06-25-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by great bowyer

i have never heard of Gajardoni, where are they from? are they any good?
also uhlmann doesn't make the lexan masks?

Ya I just got an uhlmann fie lexan mask today. I sure hope the stamp says allstar or one of the other 4.

KD5MDK · 06-25-2005, 10:57 PM

Gajardoni is an Italian manufacturer.

Frank Pratt · 06-25-2005, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by great bowyer

i have never heard of Gajardoni, where are they from? are they any good?
also uhlmann doesn't make the lexan masks?

I have always heard that there are very few, if any, differences between Ulhmann and Allstar equipment (aside from color.) If Allstar is approved, I would assume Ulhmann is as well, though I am not certain.

DHCJr commented in a related thread that the maker of the mask is what matters, not the brand. Perhaps this means that an Ulhmann mask would have the Allstar makings, thus making it legal.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 06-25-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Pratt

I have always heard that there are very few, if any, differences between Ulhmann and Allstar equipment (aside from color.) If Allstar is approved, I would assume Ulhmann is as well, though I am not certain.

Dude, the red makes all the difference.

Frank Pratt · 06-25-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D+F+P=Hadouken!

Dude, the red makes all the difference.

I actually prefer the blue, but to each his/her own.

LUDICROUS · 06-26-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Pratt

I actually prefer the blue, but to each his/her own.

Ugh, blue isn't cool. Neither is red, for that matter. Don't like the shap of Uhlmann masks, either.

Does any manufacture make purple FIE logo's? I know Cartel is green, which is pretty cool.

DHCJr · 06-26-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc fencer

Ya I just got an uhlmann fie lexan mask today. I sure hope the stamp says allstar or one of the other 4.

Make sure it does. If it does not send it back or you have an very expensive NON-FIE mask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Pratt

I have always heard that there are very few, if any, differences between Ulhmann and Allstar equipment (aside from color.) If Allstar is approved, I would assume Ulhmann is as well, though I am not certain.

DHCJr commented in a related thread that the maker of the mask is what matters, not the brand. Perhaps this means that an Ulhmann mask would have the Allstar makings, thus making it legal.

Uhlmann is NOT an approved mask. They used to be approved as well as 10 other masks. These are no longer approved. This may be a Uhlmann mask made to the Uhlmann specifications, which is now no longer approved. Hopefully, it is, but if not send it back.

Goofy · 06-26-2005, 04:35 PM

What is the basis for approval of the shield? It seems strange that the availability has gone from 10 to 4.

And is this discussion for transparent sabre masks only (based on the upcoming October requirement), or all transparent masks?

DHCJr · 06-26-2005, 05:49 PM

What happened was a change in authority. In the past SEMI was in charge of all approval of equipment. SEMI gave approval for 14 masks. The Medical Commission also tested the mask for Anti-fog and the amount of transference of air. They only found 4 that met those requirements. The trouble was their approval for advisory only. This was change, so that both SEMI and the Medical Commission must approve the mask for it to be certified.

That certification process was done in 2004. So in fact, it is not just the 4 manufacturers listed, but only mask made after the certification. In other words a mask dated before 2004 is not a certified mask, no matter what manufacturer it is.

KD5MDK · 06-27-2005, 01:53 AM

It seems to be that (assuming no manufacturing changes were made) it would have been nice of the approved manufactuers to submit earlier model years for testing, so that people who had bought them could still use them. On the other hand, the manufacturers are obviously always happy with something that obsoletes equipment and requires new ones to be bought.