Duellist Startex vs. Triplette Spectra Jacket

[ben2e]

I'm looking for a new jacket and knicker combo. I currently have a Triplette stretch jacket and knickers that work pretty well and was considering their FIE model. I read a while ago on this site several people who loved the Duellist Evolution uniforms. At the time Duellist had a special on them but I seem to have missed that boat (last year about this time). Has anyone tried either or both of these that could advise me ? I'm about 5'10 160lb if that matters.

Bruises and ventilation are of course important.

[KD5MDK]

I've heard a number of complaints about Triplette gear (in quality and fit) and customer service, while much less total feedback about Duellist. Duellist and Leon Paul both have wicking linings inside their gear (at least at the top end). I don't know if Uhlmann and Allstar do as well, or any of the less common vendors (Prieur, Negrini, Cartel, Caramini (sp), etc).

[Duellist USA]

Well....all I can say about the 800 Evolutions is the ENTIRE Mens National Epee Team is wearing them with no complaints...then again so does the ENTIRE Womens National Foil Team...Eric Hansen over in your corner of the world wears it as well...Drop any of them an email and ask what they think..

And that we stand behind our gear 100 percent.

On a personal note my better half fenced with a Santelli stretch for years and wouldnt trade it in till she tried the Duellist ones...


Feel free to drop a direct email with any questions or call...


Rick Shellhouse

[mackillian]

I love my Duellist gear. They also have fantastic customer service.

Before I got my Duellist kit, I had Triplette stuff. Huge improvement in fit and quality when I switched over.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Triplette stuff is bad quality. Buy duellist, you will not be dissapointed.

[RebelFencer]

I have the Allstar Startex gear and it is amazingly awesome. I am tempted however to try out the Duellist gear when it becomes necessary to get new gear in the (hopefully, *crosses fingers*) distant future.

[telkanuru]

I stand by Estoc or Cartel, then Allstar Startex. I saw the Duellist stuff in pittsburgh, and it looked nice, so I'll put it 4th on my list.

[daveappr]

I too saw the duellist kit in Pittsburgh, ( and met Rick as well), I'll definately keep it in mind when it's time to replace my Allstar startex. And to further my 2 cents, my girls really liked their epee body cords. I'm anxious to see how well they hold up. I forget the wire type they're made from....

[KD5MDK]

I stand by Estoc or Cartel, then Allstar Startex. I saw the Duellist stuff in pittsburgh, and it looked nice, so I'll put it 4th on my list.

Where does one buy Cartel in the States? Where can one check it out?

[fatfencer]

I've heard a number of complaints about Triplette gear (in quality and fit) and customer service, while much less total feedback about Duellist.

I was one of those people who complained the loudest these past couple of years about the ill-fitting of Triplette gear. Its gotten much better.

So much so that I'm ordering a full set of their FIE gear. I promise you I'm not easily impressed. But one of my junior clubmates has a full FIE set and it fits him glovelike....and he's a skinny 14yr old.

Certainly their customer service has improved loads with the new management. The staff at Triplette have really taken all the stuff they've read about their clothing patterns to heart; it seems that the've done not only an overhaul of their inventory but also their website which promises to be quite good.

All in all I have to say they are the best vendor out there.

Fatfencer

PS: Their lames' are quite slick...in combo with a chest protector...practically untouchable in foil. :-)

[prototoast]

Where does one buy Cartel in the States? Where can one check it out?

Direct from france... www.cartel-escrime.com

Personally, I have mixed feelings on their jacket. The material is very nice, light and comfortable, but the fit is just a little bit off. I think in a perfect world, they're take their material and cut it to into the same jacket as allstar.

[Duellist USA]

I forget the wire type they're made from....

Dave,

Shhhhhh its a secret....lol....actually we use medical telemetry wire...designed for plugging and unplugging repeatedly....were you one of teh ones I played tug of war with the body cord with? I lvoe watching peoples faces when we do that....then even more when we slam it on teh meter....and it still works....lol..


Rick Shellhouse

[whtouche]

I'm in the market for new knickers and am on a budget (actually, being so poor I don't think it could even be considered a 'budget' more of a pitance)
Anyways I was looking at the duellist uniforms on duellistusa.com and noticed something. If I'm reading it correctly, the only difference between the duellist evolution knickers and the duellist classic knickers, is 10 dollars (20 for FIE) and black piping. Otherwise, exact same thing.

Is black piping really worth an extra 10 or 20 dollars and a new brand name? I mean, I really like the way the evolutions look, but it's almost insulting the way that was done.

[Duellist USA]

Whtouche,

Actually there is more of a difference but its in the cut and tailoring of the Evolution uniforms. The Classics are your standard uniform where the Evolutions were designed and refined after field testing by actual fencers. Same great quality but a little sleeker cut.

We don't mean it to be insulting and to be honest Im slightly confused how it is insulting.....but I hope my explaination clears it up for you.


Rick Shellhouse

[daveappr]

Dave,

Shhhhhh its a secret....lol....actually we use medical telemetry wire...designed for plugging and unplugging repeatedly....were you one of teh ones I played tug of war with the body cord with? I lvoe watching peoples faces when we do that....then even more when we slam it on teh meter....and it still works....lol..


Rick Shellhouse

yeah, I was one of those people- loved the glam photos as well- Cheers! And I hope your Christmas sales are great!

[prototoast]

Whtouche,

Actually there is more of a difference but its in the cut and tailoring of the Evolution uniforms. The Classics are your standard uniform where the Evolutions were designed and refined after field testing by actual fencers. Same great quality but a little sleeker cut.

We don't mean it to be insulting and to be honest Im slightly confused how it is insulting.....but I hope my explaination clears it up for you.


Rick Shellhouse

I think it comes across as a bit insulting since they're both listed as the same price on the duellist UK site, leading one to believe that they are essentially the same, and you are artificially inflating the price on the evolution jacket.

Not saying that it's necessarily the case, but it certainly can appear that way.

[Duellist USA]

Well they are the parent company and I but a lowly distributor....they would have different pricing structures...they don't deal with shipping, duties, other assorted costs, and you can rest assured thier cost is different than mine obviously.

The subject raised was were they the same item with the only difference being the piping. The answer is no, they are similar but significantly different.


Rick Shellhouse

[LUDICROUS]

Do you DARE to question Bruce Dickinson?

[Purple Fencer]

Do you DARE to question Bruce Dickinson?

Better "Run to the Hills" then.....

*starts running himself)

[Duellist USA]

I question him all the time....*g*




but only if he doesnt pick up the lunch check....




which he does...



Rick