PBT vs Negrini

[phreak]

Any thoughts on FIE clothing

Thanks

[remise]

I have PBT. It wicks away and so far is awesome. No complaints.

[achilleus]

Yes, many thoughts on FIE clothing...

Like why can't manufacturers come up with a better system for suspenders than thin strips of elastic that wear out quickly? Or why is it that the best fastening system is this tiny piece of velcro which loses it's stickiness right aobut the time the suspenders go?

Is there no other option? Nothing more durable?

Why is it that PBT has an exclusive USA dealer? Don't they realize how much more business they would get if they sold us their gear at their european store prices? I mean, seriously, their top of the line uniform is way cheaper than Uhlmann, yet if you live in the US, it's cheaper to buy the top of the line uniform direct from Uhlmann than it is buy a PBT uniform from the USA dealer (who are wonderful people by the way). A better uniform at a better price.

As for Negrini, why is that it's worn only by the Italians? And even then many wear the Carmimari uniforms. Makes me wonder if it's like Prieur. Which is to say that the French fencers prefer Cartel or Allstar. Or maybe, Negrini's simply cut better for the tall and thin fencer....

Hm...

Yes I have many thoughts on FIE clothing. Did you have a specific question? Or should I continue rambling?

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by achilleus

Yes I have many thoughts on FIE clothing. Did you have a specific question? Or should I continue rambling?

I think what he wants is for you to not only say which is better, but also to find him some place he can buy for minimal money.

[phreak]

In all honesty im not too worried about the money but I am loathed to buy from the big names i.e LP Allstar Uhlmann. (Rover, VW) when for the same price or perhaps less I may get a better quality uniform with a little more style from a lesser known name brand, (Alfa Romeo,Bertone, I dont know any hungarian cars)

Italian Vs German or British Styling !!!??

What im wondering is Is the manufacturing quality good

LP kit has internal seams sewn inside, therefore hidden. is negrini and pbt the same.

Negrini has some real history and therefore experience. PBT is really cheap for FIE from my location.

Ive already decided against the Rover and VW fencing uniform, the question is which exotic european kit will i end up with?

Phreak

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by phreak

In all honesty im not too worried about the money but I am loathed to buy from the big names i.e LP Allstar Uhlmann. (Rover, VW) when for the same price or perhaps less I may get a better quality uniform with a little more style from a lesser known name brand, (Alfa Romeo,Bertone, I dont know any hungarian cars)

Italian Vs German or British Styling !!!??

What im wondering is Is the manufacturing quality good

LP kit has internal seams sewn inside, therefore hidden. is negrini and pbt the same.

Negrini has some real history and therefore experience. PBT is really cheap for FIE from my location.

Ive already decided against the Rover and VW fencing uniform, the question is which exotic european kit will i end up with?

Phreak

If you cared about the manufacturing, you would have already bought you're stuff. You know what the best brands are.

You're more interested in style, so just browse their websites until you find a logo you like and but that brand.

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by achilleus

Yes, many thoughts on FIE clothing...

Like why can't manufacturers come up with a better system for suspenders than thin strips of elastic that wear out quickly? Or why is it that the best fastening system is this tiny piece of velcro which loses it's stickiness right aobut the time the suspenders go?

Is there no other option? Nothing more durable?

thats not just FIE..my cheapo jacket has that too but you'd expect that..its cheapo!! what iv'e done was to rip off the velcro attachment and just use those snap on button things that you can get from any fabric store..it worked for my cotton knickers, not sure how FIE cloth would work..probably wouldn't.

[phreak]

Well That may be true
But i have never seen negrini. which is my first choice.

So how could i know what is the best quality

I certainly know that my LP 350 N kit has shrunk has flimsy plastic clips and D ring and is looking pretty shabby for 2 years of fairly light fencing.

The LP F100 mask is ready for the trash and to be honest wasnt well made in the first place and i threw away my first LP foil blade after 2 sessions because i thought it looked unsafe and ready to snap (as a mechanical engineer)

All the opinions I really seem to get is the result of good advertising and internet presence

I also suspect that the 'rock stars' of the fencing world are sponsored by manufacturers and therefore wear their kit perhaps not through personal preferencebut what they can get for free

So none of this tells me whether its good quality kit.

Yes, certain companies have great websites great service and easy order systems but as before none of this tells me whether its good quality kit.

Thats why ive come here to hear other peoples EXPERIENCE of other kit

Not that they heard from a club member that some jacket is good, or that everyon uses this brand so it must be good and "you shoud know"

If i knew i wouldnt be asking !

[achilleus]

Allstar, Uhlmann, or Leon Paul.

That's it right there. You aren't going to find better.

Most of the top fencers who buy their own stuff wear Allstar/Uhlmann. (I have to find any other brand that's consistently as good)

Leon Paul, from everything I've seen of their stuff is top quality, but it's very expensive, which is probably the reason why the ones who buy their own wear Allstar/Uhlmann.

The PBT is good and cheap, but not as good in the finishing department as Allstar/Uhlmann.

Negrini stuff is very good, but cut very thin.

The Carmimari stuff looks great, and the t-shirt inside seems comfy. Although, I would imagine it must get kinda warm...

But really, it's protective gear not a fashion show.

[phreak]

Thats great information . thanks

LP is out (Im kind of against them from experience) PBT- out

Allstar, Ullmann - Same price for stretch panel as Negrini Custom made full stretch. (Im a big guy 192 cm 100kg custom might be better)

What do you mean Negrini is cut a bit thin???

And the other one i think is out too I havent heard of them

I figure they are all tested to 800 newtons So if your spending £500 on clothes it may as well fit well and look good !

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by phreak

Thats great information . thanks

LP is out (Im kind of against them from experience) PBT- out

Allstar, Ullmann - Same price for stretch panel as Negrini Custom made full stretch. (Im a big guy 192 cm 100kg custom might be better)

What do you mean Negrini is cut a bit thin???

And the other one i think is out too I havent heard of them

I figure they are all tested to 800 newtons So if your spending £500 on clothes it may as well fit well and look good !

The people I know who have bought Negrini are all thin, and it fits them closely.

Seriously, you ain't King Kong, and Uhlmann is cut quite genereously. They even have stocky sizes available. But if it's that expensive, go with Negrini.

[phreak]

thanks
Im now looking at uhlman and allstar depending on size availability

[fencerchica]

Achilleus -- having been inclined towards Estoc (for full-stretch FIE) from a thread I started on FIE kit some weeks or so ago, I'd be very curious/grateful to hear whether you have any critiques of their stuff that leads you to prefer Allstar/Uhlmann and LP. Thanks! (can't wait to try on stuff at Nats, I'm gonna be a shopping, trying-on, price-comparing MACHINE)