practice/electric sabre

[larkmaj]

Is there really any difference in the blades vendors sell for practice and electric complete? The only difference I could think of would be an added socket and the necessary insulation. Yet the same blades are being sold for higher than the simple addition of a socket.

[Purple Fencer]

Is there really any difference in the blades vendors sell for practice and electric complete? The only difference I could think of would be an added socket and the necessary insulation. Yet the same blades are being sold for higher than the simple addition of a socket.

There is no differance in blades....there isn't even a requirement for an FIE sabre blade.

You're correct...the ONLY differance between a dry sabre and an electric one is the addition of the socket and insulation if necessarry.

The price differance in my sabres reflects precicely that...$10 due to the socket (and necessarry modifications to the insulator)...all the guards I guy are already insulated anyway...

[larkmaj]

I was just wondering because I was browsing through absolute and BG. Their electric completes seem to be about 20 bucks more.

[Ordway]

Two things I've noticed:

1) Sockets are more expensive than I realized. I bought one separately at Nationals to replace one in an existing electric sabre, and it was about $8.

2) When comparing prices, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. I noticed on the BG & Absolute web sites that the practice and electric complete sabres often have different quality blades, guards, and grips, so the price difference could be from a variation there. I suspect that the practice sabres might be more likely to be assembled from cheaper components, with the idea that, well, they're just for *practice*. (Makes sense.)

Just go ahead and buy an electric sabre to begin with.

[yeoldearmourer]

I advise all my clients to buy electric One the difference in weight just the few ounce's of a better guard and socket versues one without. Can mean the difference of a touch. plus the balance of the blade can make a difference. To me a cheap sabre blade is a good as a expensvie one they all break soon or later and all have to meet the requiements on the stiffness. I had the cheap chinese blades last longer than allstar or unlmann blades. Don't fall for the FIE stamp on the sabre blade No requierement on sabre blades

[penguin_2000]

There's all sorts of pricing weirdness with the sabres for some reason. On absolute's site, they have an uhlmann insulated guard for $33, and right below it, an uninsulated guard (shown painted on inside) and an insulating sleeve for $27 and $5... go figure. Of course, if you buy that and the guard shows up without insulating paint, you'll have to kick yourself.

BTW, does anybody know which is lighter between the allstar and uhlmann? I always thought the allstar was lighter, but I may have just been imagining it.

[KD5MDK]

Offhand, drysabres might not have S2000 blades, as whipover is much less of a problem.

[Purple Fencer]

Offhand, drysabres might not have S2000 blades, as whipover is much less of a problem.

Actually...the only sabre blades I sell ARE 2000s....

[prototoast]

Actually...the only sabre blades I sell ARE 2000s....

And I highly doubt the the original post was referring to you, however there are other companies that will sell pre-2000 blades as "practice" so it is a valid concern.

[Purple Fencer]

And I highly doubt the the original post was referring to you, however there are other companies that will sell pre-2000 blades as "practice" so it is a valid concern.

Yeah...just easier for me to sell the newer blades exclusively...practice with what you compete with...

[yeoldearmourer]

I perfer the Leon Paul Sabre bell guard it's the top of the line over the others one on the market. I also perfer a leather handle over rubber one the leather one once it's broken in is awesome to use for finger controlled and to the fit of the hand.
In the army we have a saying You train to fight and fight as you trained.

[larkmaj]

BTW, does anybody know which is lighter between the allstar and uhlmann? I always thought the allstar was lighter, but I may have just been imagining it.

isn't allstar just the US uhlmann or something like that?

[KD5MDK]

No, they are two companies selling the same gear in different colors, more or less.