Transparent mask?

[The Reality Monster]

Check it out in the new product section of www.leonpaul.com

[epeemike81]

this is not the first lexan mask....

[Ron Antrim]

Check out another source for lexan masks at a
lessor $$$ amount at, www.zivkovic.com
They also make those wrist mounted practice touch indicator things...

Ron

[Chris]

Originally posted by Ron Antrim:
Check out another source for lexan masks at a
lessor $$$ amount at, www.zivkovic.com
They also make those wrist mounted practice touch indicator things...

Ron

Actually Favero makes them; Zivkovic just sells them.

Chris

[The Reality Monster]

Well, I was impressed, or at least interested. I have not heard of any of the others, but then where I come from everyone's kit is leon paul so that's probly why.

Maybe it is just the designer in me that is interested, but I was surprised at the stats for the light levels, a 78% loss for a standard mask is pretty high. As well as an improvement in accuracy, an increase in light to the eye is likely to make the fencer more alert and thus improve reaction times.

As protection polycarbonate ought to be fairly sound, being the stuff of riot shields, vandal-proof bus shelters and the like. It also has interesting electrical properties, which is why it is used for cds, but i'm not sure how (if) that fits into this anywhere.

Anyhow, this is just from my previous designing experience, I appreciate I have little experience of fencing so feel free to point out my naivity.

[damianip]

I wouldn't use one in an épée bout.

Gimme steel!!!!!

Besides, they are hot as hell and fog up like crazy.

Paolo

[Fencer2000]

I would think the ventilation issue is the most dramatic problem.

While an old-fashioned mask does block a lot of light, it lets in a lot of air. And it's STILL hot under there when it's 90 degrees outside! I can't imagine having my face covered by solid plastic (polycarb, ABS, or whatever they use).

[epeemike81]

Since ventilation is an issue, the model Zivkovic sells is sold with a small fan which fits just above the forehead. It fails more often than it works, though.

I also, personally, think that being able to see my face more clearly gives my opponent an edge. My facial expressions may give away whether an action is a feint or an attack.

-m

[Fencer2000]

Good point.

I was just explaining to a non-fencer friend the other day how when you fence, you are "faceless;" it doesn't matter if someone has a baby face or an evil, menacing black beard, all our faces look the same whether we are smiling, confident or shocked!

In some sports, judging facial expressions is important(goalies!?).

I think it's one of the cool, uncommon aspects of the sport.

[MikeHarm]

I like the look of it.

Mike

[Dame d'escrime]

The look is cool and modern, but I think I prefer the steel myself. Now If I can just figure a way to put in headphones and a small recorder for mood music I'd be VERY happy. LOL

[zhenqing]

Probably one of the main concerns that this type of mask would present is the levels of carbon dioxide, the gas we exhale each time we breathe, that may accumulate inside the mask. This could possibly interfere with performance since the amount of oxygen, that would otherwise be present in the air, may be reduced. When the level of oxygen in the air is reduced below 19.5%, symptoms may begin to appear, and the person may become lethargic, disoriented, etc. In addition the heat factor, as well as the lenses fogging up may compound the issue.

I agree with those who have expressed concern regarding inadequate ventilation, and would be hesitant to spend my money in buying one of these masks until this issue has been cleared-up (they are not cheap). The fact that a fan had to be installed in one of the prototypes suggests that the ventilation problem is real. In additon, polycarbonate lenses are quite strong but they scratch like crazy!

[Ron Antrim]

I think I will probably buy a lexan mast long before I go to a pastel or any other color/pattern uniform. We are all resistant to change... (Besides my wife likes how my backside looks in white Knickers).

[The Reality Monster]

Hmmm.. I see the point about being "faceless", that is one of the things that some of my friends find appealing about fencing.

As for the ventilation, they claim to have sorted that one out, but I couldn't really judge without actually seeing and testing one. The idea of a fan is just a bit silly in my opinion, as there would clearly be problems with it working, and replacing batteries and stuff, it would be too much to bother about when you're sposed to be concentrating on fencing.

And yup, polycarbonate does scratch easily, which is why my cd collection all jump so much. I think the leon paul masks have thin replaceable screen that goes over the top of the main screen, but they are about a fiver a piece, adding yet more expense to things. Also this is encouraging this whole throw-away culture, and I doubt the screens would be recycled or anything.

This is an interesting issue. In a lot of sports there are up-and-coming advances in clothing and equipment that affect people's speed or movement without them necessarily being any more skilled. Those "shark skins" in swimming, for example. If, as it said in the write-up for the leon paul masks, the FIE have been told to modernise fencing if it is to stay in the olympics, then what direction does that take?

I think I ask too many questions for a newbie.