Use of FIE uniforms

[Morion]

I've seen many references by various posters about how they use their "good" ie FIE uniforms only for tournaments. I know they are expensive but doesn't it make more sense to wear them when you're practicing? After all you are more likely to be fencing inexperience people with questionable weapons in the salle than at a tournament.

[CvilleFencer]

Originally Posted by Morion

After all you are more likely to be fencing inexperience people with questionable weapons in the salle than at a tournament.

Oh not so, at least for me. Most of the times I have been injured or knocked around it has been at comps. At the salle the fencers are moderately to very skilled and are not fencing under the intense preasure to win (which leads to more chances and adrenaline enhanced actions) that goes with comps. Also, if you club has a good family feeling then no one wants to bump around or injure their friends with stupid or reckless actions and other club members are usually quick to set someone straight. No, I worry much more about the knuckleheaded U from salle bum**** in pools injuring me than I do about a good rated fencer or a clubmate. At least almost always.

Having said that I do almost all of the armoury work for my clubs so I have a fair amount of faith in the gear and being the coach at one club and a senior member at another I have simliar faith in the fencers. If you are at one of the "k-mart" super center salles that have 100 new people a month and the salle lets them run around willy nilly with 50 year old ebay bought weapons and gear you might have more of a need to be concered. Or you could switch clubs...

[fencerX]

Originally Posted by Morion

I've seen many references by various posters about how they use their "good" ie FIE uniforms only for tournaments. I know they are expensive but doesn't it make more sense to wear them when you're practicing?

It's OK, since those folks don't take their "good" body or head to practice, and thus don't need the better protection ...

[Peach]

I wear my FIE uniform in practice and at tournaments, because that's what I have. It starts to look pretty ratty after a while, of course. Right now my jacket groin strap is attached with a safety pin, all the Velcro is falling apart everywhere, and the elastic looks elderly. Even with the newish Startex trousers. Bah. This would be such an inexpensive sport if only we didn't have to USE the stuff we buy

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Peach

I wear my FIE uniform in practice and at tournaments, because that's what I have.

Yup, me too.

[kalivor]

Originally Posted by Morion

I've seen many references by various posters about how they use their "good" ie FIE uniforms only for tournaments.

Not me ... I always wear my FIE gear.

I know they are expensive but doesn't it make more sense to wear them when you're practicing? After all you are more likely to be fencing inexperience people with questionable weapons in the salle than at a tournament.

However, it is safer in practice than competition. The history of fatal accidents in the sport has them confined largely to high level competition.

Practice = Less likelyhood of serious injury.
Inexperienced fencers = less likelyhood of serious injury. Inexperienced fencers bruise you, they do not puncture you.

As for the quality of the equipment -- well, I don't know where you fence, but I fully expect my competition's equipment to be dodgier than my clubmates'.

[Inquartata]

I wear my FIE jacket in practice as well as tournaments, but the FIE pants only in competitions. That's because I usually wear shorts at practice.

I do wear an FIE mask in practice, but it's one that won't pass resistance testing for tournament use anymore. I have another I only use in competition.

I also have a lame I only use in competition, and an old patched one for practices. Likewise with manchettes.

[RITFencing]

I'm in the same boat as Peach; I wear my FIE gear to practice and competitions because it lasts, it's comfortable, and I can't yet afford two uniforms. It may look like hell (incidentally, Triplette's coaching gear is very comfortable, but the lack of a lining means stains on your jacket) but it works.