Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

poskat · 08-27-2005, 01:31 PM

ive done a year worth of fencing now, and i think its about time i get my own gear( used the clubs so far...its in college).
since i am in ireland and germany, tis pretty easy for me to get all the european companies.
however, i am not too sure of what company exactly to get, i know you ve all done this about twenty times answering the question of what the equipment is like etc etc...
but
any help would be greatly appreachiated.
so far, i want to buy:
allstar or uhlmann ( since their stuff is the same price and i assume quality)
electric Foil Maraging, SM FIE approved
universalmask V4A FIE
jacket "world cup" or athen"
and i want a rolly bag, however i havent found a cheap one yet.

any advice?
and, esp, since all their stuff is so expensive, do you know any cheap alternatives for them?

i really want FIE stuff, since its safer (ha ha) and i can do competitions with them.
thanks a lot!

Purple Fencer · 08-27-2005, 02:46 PM

The choice between Allstar and Uhlmann clothing may be based on your body shape...Allstar tends toward a slimmer cut...other than thatm the only differance between the 2 compasnies is...Uhlmann is blue...Allstar is red (except for the floor reels...THERE is a significantg design differance)

On the blades...that's really a matter of personal preference...you might find that StM may be too flexible for your style and a BF blade may be just the right stiffness...or that a Leon Paul may last longer than a Scaroni, depending on your style of fencing. You could start out with the StM and changhe your mind as you get better and more familiar with the available equipment.

Masks...I can only comment on the Uhlmann FIEs (since I sell them), but I've never seen a problem. Various people here recommend the Leon Paul masks. For the sake of the nerves of the armoring community, tho, don't get a lexan one unless you start doing FIE events where they're required...as an armorer, they make me nervous (can;t test the lexan...there are no torque specs on the nuts that home the plate in place, CO2 retention was poor, etc).

As far as inexpensive alternatives....if you were fencing in the US you could go with non-FIE gear like I sell up to and including US nationals...but in Europe I believe FIE is required even at the local level...'course, in the US it's mainly a cost factor...double or triple the Euro costs to buy FIE gear from a US vendor.

RebelFencer · 08-27-2005, 03:14 PM

I really love my leon paul FIE mask and startex allstar knickers (haven't had enough $$ for the whole kit) to death. The mask is a tank and the knickers just feel right. As for Uhlmann, everyone I've seen with uhlmann gear seems to really like it and have raved about the good quality of it. So I think (FIE-wise) you probably can't go wrong between the three companies.

poskat · 08-27-2005, 04:09 PM

cheers guys!

ill just gonna check what size of mask im wearing in training tommo and then ill order my stuff hopefully anyway

Zilverzmurfen · 08-28-2005, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poskat

cheers guys!

ill just gonna check what size of mask im wearing in training tommo and then ill order my stuff hopefully anyway

Hi!

I would just like to throw in a small piece of advice if you're thinking of ordering an allstar (or Uhlmann) mask: Do pay the small extra fee for a mask with a removable (hence easily washable) padding. I have one of those and I think it really is worth a little extra money.

Best of luck with your new equipment and fencing in general!

esskreemr · 08-28-2005, 08:07 AM

I second ZZ's mask recommendation. Don't skimp on the mask. An extra 20-30 can go a long way and your head will thank you for it. In addition, being able to pull all the padding out of your mask after each comp to properly air your mask will help it last much longer. Particularly if you sweat quite a bit. That in itself justifies the extra cash you have to shell out.

Nusy · 08-28-2005, 09:09 AM

As you can get all European gear, I can just recommend PBT... As I remember, they have a dealer in Dublin (check on www.pbtfencing.com site). Their mask is actually great, and the electric jackets, too. Also, they have a new king of rolly bag, which is pretty small, but useful and cheap (the Mini one), and there's another, medium sized one, the Cadet (not published on the site yet). However, in other clothing I vote for Allstar Athens. I can't really be help about blades, as I still use non-maraging ones...

(Soon to change!)
Hope it helped!

poskat · 08-28-2005, 10:36 AM

hmmm now you ve made me think about the mask. ill prolly go for the comfort one now...i dunno if i want it in colour tho ( you can choose the wire colour...and im so temtpted to get a dark blue one). does anyone have experience with fencing through coloured masks?

and, yes, them pbt bags seem really cheap. might get the mini rolley one if that fits all my gear.
however, im bidding on ebay to get cheap jacket, trousers and bags now. its just far too expensive to buy it all in one bulk. but ill defo buy my own foil and mask now...

Nusy · 08-28-2005, 11:02 AM

Coloured mask is cool... makes no difference compared to a black one (BUT with a big difference to the saber ones!). I have a sky blue one from PBT.
The Mini bag fits unexpectedly much... My friend took hers to the trainings camp, with 3 épées, full gear and T-shirts for 10 days!

And what about glove?

Inquartata · 08-28-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nusy

Coloured mask is cool...

Ah! Ah! Nusy! Usually you are so sensible! But on this point you are oh so crushingly wrong....

I mean

rudd · 08-28-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi

I bought the mini PBT 2 weeks back. Not a bad bag, single internal compartment and 1 pocket. Will take one complete set of kit for 1 weapon. No sure what ths durability will be like. Zips don't seem the best nor does the base. But we'll see.At least it's cheap and a good size for taking on public transport.

Ger

Nusy · 08-28-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Ah! Ah! Nusy! Usually you are so sensible! But on this point you are oh so crushingly wrong....

I mean

Well... only-saber fencers will never understand our passion. Though, at least I'm not for the totally coloured jackets - they're ugly. Though, the national colours in small stripes on the back, just under the name are cool.
Note: In colours I mean blue... not yellow, red, pink and such terribilities

KD5MDK · 08-29-2005, 03:22 AM

I hear for EU based buyers PBT is a very good vendor. Unfortunately, their exclusive US vendor charges a very large markup over their European prices (at least, they don't have a substantial advantage over other European vendors they have in the EU) so they are not popular here.

poskat · 08-29-2005, 04:06 PM

hehe....decided against coloured mask...going for the classical version with black and everything else white.
since im getting everything from allstar, ill get their cheapest rollbag (escrime...does anyone have a comment on that???) and the glove that has two colours....allstar kombi its called over here. used that in training and really liked it.
so
now im getting: (And this is nearly for definate

)
foil - FIE SM blade , white ( its the cheapest maraging that they have)
mask - 1600 normal black
bag - escrime
glove - kombi

Inquartata · 08-29-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poskat

hehe....decided against coloured mask...going for the classical version with black and everything else white.

Ah, a person of discriminating taste and perspicacity!

( When you decide to switch to sabre my admiration will be complete.

)

P.B · 08-31-2005, 04:05 AM

If you want a cheap roll-bag try gofence.com

They sell one for £50 - it's massive.

Smyles · 08-31-2005, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poskat

hehe....decided against coloured mask...going for the classical version with black and everything else white.
since im getting everything from allstar, ill get their cheapest rollbag (escrime...does anyone have a comment on that???) and the glove that has two colours....allstar kombi its called over here. used that in training and really liked it.
so
now im getting: (And this is nearly for definate

)
foil - FIE SM blade , white ( its the cheapest maraging that they have)
mask - 1600 normal black
bag - escrime
glove - kombi

Have you talked to Tony about prices? He does pretty good deals on clothes and bags... bit expensive on the weapons side though

poskat · 08-31-2005, 04:36 PM

emmm no, havent done that. ( dont have contact details.forget to ask for them at training.)
dont need to tho, i think, cause i can get it in germany ( going home there next week) and will get
foil , rolley bag , mask and glove for 285 plus 8 eus packaging.
doubt anyone can beat that.

on a different matter:
does anyone know if there are any restrictions for flying in fencing gear? or is it just handled as sport baggage ( ie 25 quid? )

thanks for all your help

@ smyles: wher do you fence in ireland? im dcu.

Inquartata · 08-31-2005, 05:04 PM

You shouldn't have any trouble flying with fencing gear. The weapons will have to go in your checked luggage; anything else can go as carry-on, even if it may get you a few questions or a bag search. ( Many of us carry on masks, lames, shoes and so forth to avoid the stress of lost luggage before a tournament. )

Best not to call your weapons "weapons" to anyone affiliated with the TSA
( or equivalent ) or airlines, though. It's "fencing gear" or "sporting equipment" or the like, just to be on the safe side.

Smyles · 09-02-2005, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poskat

smyles: wher do you fence in ireland? im dcu.

Fenced in UCC. I've moved up to Dublin now though so I'm kinda homeless... might pop over to UCD to have a look or venture to Pembroke when I get a bit of money!