Time to buy a new glove?

[ShadyLane]

I have a question for all you experienced fencers

When would be a good time to buy new fencing gloves? And what is the estimated time frame for a good glove to wear down?

I don't know whether or not I need new gloves or not I've never bought new gloves before, you see, and have been wearing these leather (real leather) fencing gloves for 3 years now. When I fence for a long duration, it gets clammy and sweaty inside, making it a bit uncomfortable when I grip my french grip, and sort of feels a bit slippery on the bottom palm area when I do sabre and sometimes foil. Same goes for the thumb area when I do sabre - the sweat makes it a bit irritating in the insides of the glove (sweaty thumb against the insides of the leather glove)...there's not much grip/friction when it's clammy inside, which gets annoying...

However, I know some others who bought the same glove but had theirs for a longer time than mine, and they're not complaining...or maybe it's just me or maybe I'm imagining things?? I don't know what to do...fork out 60 bucks for a new glove or keep the same one...

[Zesty]

It really depends on whether you can put up with the clammyness of the glove. I replaced my glove after 2 years or so when it had had a decent bit of use and was a bit too small for me. So really it all depends on whether yours is confortable or not. If you do get a new glove, then the Duellist super grip glove is brilliant.

[ShadyLane]

Thanks for the advice Now that I think about it, it used to be comfortable to the point where I never had this type of problem until early this year...

I'll wait for more responses before I make a final decision on whether or not I need a new one...

[Ordway]

Buy a new glove - and get one of the washable ones so you don't have to put up with clamminess any more!

I figure that gloves are one of the most important parts of the gear, since it's your connection between hand and weapon. An uncomfortable glove can make it difficult to handle the weapon correctly, or it can distract you by being uncomfortable, or both.

$60 I'm assuming is Canadian dollars, so I'm assuming it would be less in US dollars, but in any case you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for at least a passable glove - I like the Uhlmann/Allstar ones, which admittedly are expensive, but I've noticed that the house-brand washable gloves have been getting better and better in recent years, at several different vendors, so I'm sure you can get something decent for a reasonable price.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by ShadyLane

When would be a good time to buy new fencing gloves?

Usually when the duct tape to original glove ratio is 1:1.

Glove wear really depends on the glove, your style of fencing, and how you care for the glove.

My gloves - from the real Uhlmann to the (higher quality range of) knock-offs tended to last about the same amount of time. For me they wear down on the index finger and palm right under the pinky. (Visconti grip - foil.)

I haven't used my LP glove enough to provide a true comparison of the wear factor.

Years ago I had an Uhlmann "machine washable" glove and it fell apart in the wash after a few times. Now I don't ever machine wash them, but hand wash w/woolite when I'm washing my lame. Seems to work out well.

Craig

[fencinman89]

i just finished making my own glove, from my own guesstimation it will only be used a s a foil glove due to lack of padding, but it is super light, very breathable, and the grip is superb, Ill post a link....

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...26+Accessories

Imagine that with a white cuff that I cut off of an old BG purple glove. Its still in the trial phase seeing as I finished not 20 minutes ago, but I will post next week with my determination. I hope the stickyness on the palm of it will last longer than that of the Uhlmann/allstar glove. Nothing beats a Craftsman.

-Tre'

[bigdawg2121]

Let me know how that works out for you kid...I may have to have you make one for me. It'll be my first non-uhlmann/no-emergency purchase....

As to the previous question...probably once every year or two you should look to replace depending on how much you fence, but I kept my first glove for about the first 4yrs of my career...I did eventuallyhave to start using a new one for competitions though

[ShadyLane]

Are those Uhlmann/Allstar gloves that much better than any other glove? I was thinking of buying a LP glove (out of convenience sake, easier to get one when my club orders) sometime this fall...

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by ShadyLane

Are those Uhlmann/Allstar gloves that much better than any other glove?

i've seen uhlmann's best and to be honest, unless you have money to throw around, you're better off using the knockoffs from physical chess or any other vendor. its one thing to use uhlmann jacket, knickers, etc. but the glove is definitely unnecessary.

i've had the physical chess washable all-star knockoff for the last 1.5 - 2 yrs and i was really happy and just recently bought a new glove ONLY because some knucklehead packed my glove with their kit at the last tournament i went to and didn't have the decency to at least return it to the tournament organizers so that i can get it back (never mind that i'm left handed and my name is stenciled on there.. ). sorry for the rant, i really really liked that glove. it was on my bag so i really don't know how that mistake could have been made.

anyway, get the knockoff, its every bit as good. gloves are the only knockoff gear that is pretty much every bit as good as the originals. by the way, mine was washable, i put it in the machine AND drier and had to negative effects on it.

[penguin_2000]

Holy crap... you guy's gloves last 2 years? I must be doing something wrong with my gloves. If I used a glove for two years, I'd have to use my left hand to hold together the duct tape that holds together the glued on patches that hold together the holes...

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by penguin_2000

Holy crap... you guy's gloves last 2 years? I must be doing something wrong with my gloves. If I used a glove for two years, I'd have to use my left hand to hold together the duct tape that holds together the glued on patches that hold together the holes...

It depends on the type of glove and fencing style.

ShadyLane, gloves are meant to do three things: protect the hand from blisters, protect it from your opponent's weapon, and to prevent an opponent's blade from going up your sleeve. If it still does all three of these, there's no real need to switch it. But if you're uncomfortable, you should switch, because who wants to be uncomfortable while fencing?

[JEC]

It also depends on whether you are fencing Epee or not. Every glove I have disposed over the last 2 years has been due to hits to my hand. Thus, if you are fencing skilled opponents or opponents that flick to the hand, the life expectancy of a glove might be in months (despite duct tape). I have used 4 in 2 years.

In Foil, rarely you will get hit there. Life expectancy is in years. In Sabre, the hand is also part of the target, but the glove is covered with conductive material and I do not have enough sabre experience for an educated guess.

[Frank Pratt]

Originally Posted by JEC

It also depends on whether you are fencing Epee or not.

Agreed. I'm epee only, and my gloves rarely last more than a year. I only fence 1-2 times a week and rarely get hit with flicks.

The washable knock-offs do usually last at least as long as the "true blue" Ulhmanns (or Allstars.) I've never had one come apart in the washing machine. You can also get them in a wider variety of colors. Despite the cost, I generally recommend Ulhmann or Allstar over "brand X" for every other piece of equipment, but gloves are the exception.

[sabreur]

1. Does it stink so badly that other fencers in your club comment/turn away in disgust when you get it out of your bag?

2. Is it affecting your fencing?

3. Has (as Craig mentioned) the duct tape (or athletic tape, which is what I use) to leather ratio reached 1:1?

I use the Allstar washables, and I generally wear holes in the thumb and forefinger relatively quickly. I tape the holes, and keep using the glove until other parts start to give out, which takes longer.

[penguin_2000]

Originally Posted by sabreur

I use the Allstar washables, and I generally wear holes in the thumb and forefinger relatively quickly. I tape the holes, and keep using the glove until other parts start to give out, which takes longer.

As a side note, I use the generic gloves and tend to get holes on the thumb, the webbing between the thumb and index finger, and the sides of my index and middle fingers. I cut up the good parts of old gloves (back of hand, cuff, palm area sometimes) and glue them to these spots that wear out.

[madfencer]

i got my glove second hand, 5 years ago....it is now the only piece of original kit left. it has given a good life and served me well although there is now next to no padding on the back of the hand...looks like a new glove may be in the order soon from me. if you are not comfortable with your glove and you originally were...your hand has either grown (or shrunk?!!) or the glove is screwed. sounds to me like you should take the worthwhile advice from here and get a new glove...especially if the paddings screwed like on mine!!

happy glove shopping

[achilleus]

Originally Posted by glowstix

i've seen uhlmann's best and to be honest, unless you have money to throw around, you're better off using the knockoffs from physical chess or any other vendor. its one thing to use uhlmann jacket, knickers, etc. but the glove is definitely unnecessary.

i've had the physical chess washable all-star knockoff for the last 1.5 - 2 yrs and i was really happy and just recently bought a new glove ONLY because some knucklehead packed my glove with their kit at the last tournament i went to and didn't have the decency to at least return it to the tournament organizers so that i can get it back (never mind that i'm left handed and my name is stenciled on there.. ). sorry for the rant, i really really liked that glove. it was on my bag so i really don't know how that mistake could have been made.

anyway, get the knockoff, its every bit as good. gloves are the only knockoff gear that is pretty much every bit as good as the originals. by the way, mine was washable, i put it in the machine AND drier and had to negative effects on it.

Not all gloves are equal. Some knock-offs are better than others, and to be honest, most knock-offs feel like mittens as opposed to fencing gloves. Not true for all, but many. I remember liking the AFS knock-offs glove quite a bit...

The Uhlmann/Allstar ones are more expensive, but they are built for performance. Thin in the fingers for control, a nice tight fit, a long cuff, and (for me and many others I know) wear out very quickly in certain spots. I too use old pieces to attach to the heavy wear areas.

However, the knock-offs while durable, are usually ill fitting which can cause blisters, a very short cuff (some to the point where I think they are illegal), and can be so thick as to make it difficult to feel the weapon.

I haven't tried the LP or PBT gloves, but have heard good things about them, especially the PBT sticky glove.

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by achilleus

However, the knock-offs while durable, are usually ill fitting which can cause blisters, a very short cuff (some to the point where I think they are illegal), and can be so thick as to make it difficult to feel the weapon.

true...i'll make an adjustment: the PHYSICAL CHESS knockoffs are pretty good. i wear mine everyday in some capacity (even though i don't fence everyday unfortunately, ). as i've said, i've had mine for close to 2 years or just slightly over and i was happy with it, until...

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I've owned the PBT sticky glove for a year and a half, and its still in great shape, despite daily bladework w/ glove. It does lose its stickyness quickly though. I have yet to tape it.

[Ordway]

Originally Posted by achilleus

Not all gloves are equal. Some knock-offs are better than others, and to be honest, most knock-offs feel like mittens as opposed to fencing gloves. Not true for all, but many. I remember liking the AFS knock-offs glove quite a bit...

The Uhlmann/Allstar ones are more expensive, but they are built for performance. Thin in the fingers for control, a nice tight fit, a long cuff, and (for me and many others I know) wear out very quickly in certain spots. I too use old pieces to attach to the heavy wear areas.

Yeah, that about captures why I am loyal to the Uhlmann/Allstar gloves. A big thing for me, too, is that they are EXACTLY the right length in all the fingers - no extra space at the tips. (Obviously, someone with different hand proportions than me would not like them.) And the snug fit combined with the thin fabric in the fingers means I basically can forget I'm wearing it.

I tried on a bunch of different gloves a while back and found that most of them had one of two problems related to the padding on the thumb, which is important for a sabrist. Either there was no padding (despite having padding on the back of the hand, which I really don't care about all that much), or the padding was really thick and heavy, so that it made the whole glove less flexible. The Uhlmann has padding where it needs it, but it's also flexible and soft.