Recommendations for Mid-Price Range Foil Lame

[JCL]

I don't feel like spending for a top of the line lame, but I'd like something that'll last for a while through 2x/week practices. And recommendations? Thanks in advance.

[Craig]

In general you get what you pay for with regard to lames.

The lower priced ones tend to have a little less metal thread, which leads to more dead spots faster as threads break.

The Absolute Fencing Gear house brand lame is in the $65 range and the Leon Paul lame is about $122 at the Fencing.Net store. (Lame section at: http://shop.fencing.net/category_s/70.htm )

There have been a couple of recent threads talking about lames and the price/value comparisons. You can also check out the reviews section to see if that helps you narrow down your choices.

Craig

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

several people in our club own the absolute lame and love them. I have the JL lame sold by fencing post, and I like the durability, fit and price.

[mrbiggs]

I've had the BG lamé and the JL, both about $65. The BG lasted much longer, but I fenced a lot less back then, so I can't talk about longevity.

The JL is smoother and feels nicer. Also, the BG is cut for pretty large people, while the JL is cut for skinnier people. (Not skinny people, but those who aren't fat.)

If you do get the JL, I would suggest making sure it doesn't get too much sweat on it, as I killed my lamé pretty quickly just with sweat.



As for the absolute stuff, it tends to be similar to BG stuff, except better.

[esskreemr]

Like Craig said, you get what you pay for. If you sweat alot, go for as much as you can afford. It may seem like a bigger chunk, but the extra $40-50.00 will save you money in the long run. I sweat alot, I have an Uhlmann that has withstood much better than any sub $100.00 lamés.

If you don't sweat alot, go with something a little lower. As long as you take care of it, a lamé can last for quite a while.

[akaiyuki]

I have a BG one and an Uhlmann lame. I've had the BG one for over a year... it's hardly washed (ahahahaa) and in the beginning I fence 5 days/week, then I started fencing 3 days/week with it. I've had the BG one for over a year now and it's still going strong. No dead spots are found yet. I got an Uhlmann one so my lame won't be as gross haha :P

[JCL]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[oiuyt]

Of course when they change the foil target area in a month and half it won't matter how high the quality of your (now disallowed) lame is... :)

-B
*no, I don't believe the arm (either arm, for that matter) is about to become foil target, I believe those proposals will be withdrawn or fail in Doha*

[KD5MDK]

I can't seem to find the Estoc Foil lame on Swordmasters' website. Is it discontinued?

[Joe biebel]

I have used both the BG (nickel plated I think) and the JL (advertised as stainless steel) for training and for tournaments. Both are approximaetly $65.00. I would rate the JL above the BG for durability. The main thing for me is, how do they hold up to sweat? I like the JL a lot more in that regard. If you get hit a lot , I'm not sure how they hold up to that type of usage.

[mrvegas]

I've settled on the JL lame from Fencing Post. I sweat a lot and have found that the price of the lame has little bearing on how long they last. I keep one for practice and one for competition. The JL seems to last longer than other cheap lames, and, for me, as long as any Uhlmann lame I've ever owned.

[Nusy]

No one uses PBT? I have their non-Inox since about 4 years, yet used mostly for competitions and in the trainings camps (well, those are real tests of durability), and it still works (using it on trainings for two months).
Bought an Inox, not tried yet.

[KD5MDK]

Nusy - PBT is popular in Europe (and I would suspect especially in Hungary) because it is good quality at a lower price than Germany, English, etc gear. However, there is only one approved vendor in the US for PBT, and their prices are directly comperable to Allstar/Uhlmann, Leon Paul, etc.

[mrbiggs]

The JL is actually about $10 less than the BG if you buy it online because of the online discount.