How to Buy Fencing Equipment

[Craig]

How to Buy Fencing Equipment
Basic fencing equipment includes a mask, jacket, knickers, knee socks, shoes, a glove, a foil, and a few spare blades, and may be purchased for less than the cost of a high-end tennis racket. Fencing supply stores should have all that you need.


Steps:
1. Choose a mask that has sufficient interior padding, does not press on the top of the head or chin, and fits comfortably.

2. Put the mask under your arm and squeeze the sides closer together if the fit seems a bit too loose.

3. Pull the sides of the mask slightly apart with your hands if the mask seems a bit too tight.

4. Select a fencing jacket that is well-padded and stitched, with a quilted pattern for maximum protection.

5. Try on knickers to be sure they fit, but still allow stretching in the crotch so as not to impair lunging.

6. Be sure knee socks are long enough to pass over the knee and up under the cuffs of your knickers, so as to cover the entire leg.

7. Choose your fencing shoes as you would any others, making sure there is ample room in the toes.

8. Get a glove specifically for foil fencing, making sure that the one you choose is not too tight and that the sleeve of your fencing jacket will fit into the glove's cuff.

9. Purchase a standard Italian foil if the store has one. Otherwise, ask it to order one, or buy a standard French foil.

10. Reject suggestions to buy a foil with an orthopedic grip.

11. Get a wrist strap if you buy an Italian foil.


Tips:
Until you are sure that fencing is for you, avoid spending money on top-of-the-line items and other equipment you don't need.

Women will need to purchase a pair of breast protectors, which are inserted into pockets inside the jacket.

Men should wear an athletic supporter with a protective shield.

Some fencing supply stores offer thrifty "starter kits," which include a mask for foil only, a jacket, a glove, and a French foil.

Fencing shoes are frequently expensive. You may want to wear a well-made pair of court shoes or other athletic shoes with low heels and soles instead.

A listing of fencing supply stores can be found on the United States Fencing Association's Web site, at www.usfencing.org/contacts/corporate.asp.

Not much on my mind. Basically not much exciting going on today. Eh. Pretty much nothing seems worth thinking about, but oh well. I guess it doesn't bother me. More or less not much noteworthy happening today. Maybe tomorrow. Today was a complete loss, but it's not important. I've just been letting everything wash over me lately. I haven't gotten much done these days. I can't be bothered with anything recently, but maybe tomorrow. I've pretty much been doing nothing worth mentioning. I've just been letting everything wash over me. Oh well. Whatever. Such is life. I haven't gotten anything done these days. I can't be bothered with anything recently, but what can I say? Today was a total loss. I just don't have anything to say lately. Eh.

[LTranter]

Okay, not that I am an expert on this by any means, but just a few thoughts..

Originally Posted by Craig

How to Buy Fencing Equipment
Basic fencing equipment includes a mask, jacket, knickers, knee socks, shoes, a glove, a foil, and a few spare blades, and may be purchased for less than the cost of a high-end tennis racket. Fencing supply stores should have all that you need.

You say this like there is one on every corner next to the MacDonald's. I think it is safe to say most of us buy our equipment online through companies we have learned to trust and/or come highly recommended.

4. Select a fencing jacket that is well-padded and stitched, with a quilted pattern for maximum protection.

I have yet to see a quilted jacket?? Plastron yes, Jacket? Where do those beasts exist? Sounds like a good option for saber.

5. Try on knickers to be sure they fit, but still allow stretching in the crotch so as not to impair lunging.

And don't be afraid to take your uniform to a trusted tailor to get the most optimal fit. Order by your largest size, tailor down to the rest.

6. Be sure knee socks are long enough to pass over the knee and up under the cuffs of your knickers, so as to cover the entire leg.

[QUOTE0
9. Purchase a standard Italian foil if the store has one. Otherwise, ask it to order one, or buy a standard French foil.

10. Reject suggestions to buy a foil with an orthopedic grip. [/quote]

Hmm, only Italian foil I have seen has an obnoxious grip on it. And would I be correct in assuming by #10 that this list is primarily for beginners and that by orthopedic grip you mean pistol grips?

11. Get a wrist strap if you buy an Italian foil.

From what I understand, straps are illegal in competition, unless there is an exception for Italian foils that I could very possibly not know about.

Tips:
Until you are sure that fencing is for you, avoid spending money on top-of-the-line items and other equipment you don't need.

Here, Here!

Women will need to purchase a pair of breast protectors, which are inserted into pockets inside the jacket.

or 1 handy dandy Sheena Warrior breast plate.