Sabre Equipment-Allstar or LP?

[Anari]

Well, I posted a while back and I've purchased a lot of the gear I wanted...(Just as a side note, I bought Leon Paul Sydney Range uniform, two maraging foils, lightweight lame, four foil bodywires, padded glove and they arrived today....THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!! Everyone was talking about them tonight at training, love them soooooo much!!!!! Thankyou very much to Leon Paul, the wait was worth it, and I understand it was because of those shoes.)

BUT, I have determined that my epee gear, mask, bag and tools come from Leon Paul, however someone tonight at training (a Welsh sabreur) said not to buy LP sabre gear. He said he used LP sabre gear and it was not up to as high a standard as it should be. Instead he strongly advised me to purchase Allstar Sabre equipment as it is much better desgined (for sabre at least).

So, because I'm very confused I'm putting it to you all and I hope I get a response. Money is not a problem, but the equipment would need to be here by January 14th...so shipping times would come into it. (I think now that Leon Paul have enough information to figure out who I am with all my annoying emails hehe).

Thankyou.

[Smyles]

LP lightweight sabre lame - best out there!
LP x-change sabre mask with contour fit - best out there!
LP lightweight guard - best out there!
LP Poz pro blade - Personal preference, but I love them

So all in all I'd definitely go for all LP gear, barring the blade itself perhaps. The poz pro blade isn't to everyone's taste and it's nearly twice as expensive as most other sabre blades.

Oh.... and LP's sabre glove is pretty nice too

[Purple Fencer]

Many sabeurs here (myself included) just go for the least expensive blades in sabre...they tend to break at the tang a lot...frequently enough for some people to make this decision anyway. StM is a nice inexpensive one (I use them and sell them as well)

Don't let anyone tell you that you have to get a maraging sabre blade, tho....there is NOT a requirement for one, even at the international level.

[prototoast]

You're fine going with LP for the mask, lame and body cord, but I would advise against their sabres. Their sabre blades just aren't very good, and I really dislike their guards. I'd recommend an uhlmann/allstar guard-grip-pommel with an StM blade.

[Barry Paul]

Many sabeurs here (myself included) just go for the least expensive blades in sabre...they tend to break at the tang a lot...frequently enough for some people to make this decision anyway. StM is a nice inexpensive one (I use them and sell them as well)

Don't let anyone tell you that you have to get a maraging sabre blade, tho....there is NOT a requirement for one, even at the international level.

What does this mean 'they tend to break at the tang alot' are you saying all sabre blades break at the tang? I have never seen a Leon Paul Etoile, Paul France or Paul Maraging break in the tang, if you have one send it back and we will replace it because it is a sign of faulty manufacture.

There is no requirement for maraging blades but they last 3 to 5 times longer. Than standard steel blades. Barry Paul M.D. Leon Paul

[KD5MDK]

If you do buy the X-Change mask, buy the spare bib as well, because if you arrive at a tournament and the bib fails control, there's not too much change of a spare being available on the spot to change in unless you brought it with you.

[Inquartata]

From what I've seen of it the LP sabre equipment is fine, and a bit less expensive than Allstar to boot. The sabre masks especially are widely seen, including among top fencers. ( The reduced amount of conductive bib lame material is a definite plus wear-wise, IMO. ) But I haven't yet bought any myself, so cum grano salis.

Personally, I tend to favor Uhlmann, just out of custom...