New to fencing! What is the best online supplier?

[parrythis]

FYI, I have always found Leon Paul's customer service to be excellent.

[fatfencer]

Hi all,

I'm new to fencing and was looking to purchase some quality starter gear for foil.
What are the best online sites to purchase?
Are the 'Starter Sets' such as this:
http://www.physicalchess.com/Detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=7
worth it?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!!

SpencerM

HI Spence,

Fatfencer here.

I'm going to save you immense amounts of TROUBLE shopping. I've done it all for you. I've bought, for my club, thousands of dollars of stuff from ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE mentioned in this thread over the years. Benefit from my knowledge. I promise you I am not leading you astray.

The very best value you can find in terms of blades, masks,uniforms, grips, etc. is Triplette.com They are in the process of completely revamping their website but you can still call in your orders.

Their selection is par excellence. They have just about everything. Their service, kindness, and expertise in guiding you thru purchasing is second to none. Their new ownership and management staff is completely responsible for this. Debbie, James, Starla(sp) and crew are just awesome. (336) 835-7774

My personal suggestion is to start with a good Prieur mask. As for blades try Vniti or BF white blades. Don't get non FIE they will just crap out on you in a few weeks. Get Sport 7 tips. and French foil wires.

Triplette lames are practically indestructible and last forever. They've got several versions.

Finally their uniforms are great too. Just call them and tell them I sent you.

For gloves and body cords do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars. DO GO SEE SAM SIGNORELLI at HOM FENCING SUPPLY.(818) 567-2280 Especially if you decide to use a 2 prong socket. If you decide to use a bayonet socket again see Triplette.

Sam has a new glove design that EVERYONE should get and Sam should patent it as its so ingenious. His 2 prong sockets and cords are much better designed than Uhlmann and Prieur.

These 2 places get 100 % of my personal business and many of the fencers in my club's business.

If you can just get 1 or 2 blades thru the mail. Buy the rest at a national event. You have to feel each one to see where and how they bend.

Good Luck,

Fatfencer

PS: I really do mean that these 2 places are pretty much the only place you need to shop at all. Especially for beginners kits. Even as an advanced fencer you'll find everything you need from custom tailoring to the latest and greatest in FIE uniforms and such here.

[KD5MDK]

I doubt FIE foil blades are the best investment a beginner can make, when they're still learning how to hit without breaking blades, and when it's still quite possible they'll switch to epee or sabre.

[fatfencer]

1 Vniti fie blade would last most beginners an entire year. Not true of the Silverstars or Dinamos or Blade/Fleche things.

When they get good and have a good sense of distance then switching to BF white or Blue is a good idea.

fatfencer

[twisterfencing]

Well, from reading all of this post/thread, this is one tough question.
It's almost like asking "who is the best vendor", for me, I got to say they are all good. Outside of the small ones like PC, I know all of them. Been to meets with them. Been to dinner with almost all of them. Have the highest respect for all of them. It's one tough job!

Each vendor I would say has they're own Nitch???
Amanda/Gary at AF have a very good first time buyer program. Great range of blades - low to high end
Yefim at Allstar: they carry some really good uniforms and masks along with they're blades.
James/John at TCA: BF blades - really good lames
Duellist: Killer Uniforms, by the way, I just meet them in CT, great guys
BG: Jimmy: Price, Price, Price, hurry, hurry, hurry!
FP: Saul and Vicki: Great Uhlmann stuff along with some lower end product
HOM - Sam: Up and coming, great ideas, will go far
American: A true armourer, they have stuff no one else has!
PBT: Gilbert & Dave, some really good blades along with good masks and uniforms.
LP: Berry and Alex+ Great engineering of new products. They have the idea and capability to make it happen, along with some really cool blades & masks.
Sword Masters: Scott: one of my best friends: mid line to upper end products: Scott has a passion for not allowing "the cheap stuff" out there with his name on it. Great Uniforms. True Armourer! One of the best I have ever worked with!

All the vendors are out there are trying to find a market amoung the fencers here in the US. Each has a nitch and trying to live in it. I think they are all good. Yes they all make mistakes, yet I feel they have a true love for the sport and willingness to please each customer they encounter. This is what keeps them in business. Your dollars do not do business with folks you do not like.

To wrap this long drawn out post: find a vendor you like. Know what they sell. Remember that sometimes, price is not everything, build a relationship with them and feel good about what you have bought.