Fencing Pants and Gloves.

[JayhawkPawn]

I'm in some serious need of advice from Rick, and from our smaller-handed, and female posters. I'm in the process of helping my significant other in picking out new fencing kit, as she has about destroyed her BG pants, and the non-washable leather BG glove is about to talk to me, when it is let out of her fencing bag.

So far, she has expressed interest in the Duellist Evolution 350N kit, as the pin striping is high on the hotness list, and she approves of both the Leon Paul and Uhlman kit, but there are still a few questions that I'd like answered. I've heard and seen people whose Evolution jackets and knickers started to come loose at the seams after heavy use and washing, and her main problem with her BG kit is that the seams on the elastic closures on the calves is all but gone. I haven't heard these issues with Leon Paul, and the people who are around this stuff constantly can give me better opinions and what they've had experience with.

Also, we're looking to upgrade her glove, she absolutely loves her BG leather glove, it fits snugly to her hand, it's not bulky, and it's comfortable, but the thing is scary. I swear to god it bit me the last time I reached into her bag, and it's learning to speak German. Plus, having a washable glove would be nice, she doesn't like the Uhlman gloves, as they're too bulky, so that leaves Leon Paul, or Duellist, or God forbid, another evil cousin of the current BG non-washable glove. This is a last resort, though, as I'd rather not have her gloves teaming up on me, evil things.

[Duellist USA]

Jayhawk,

Well I will see what I can do for you... I have not had ANY 350 Evo's come back or any complaints about them seperating....because if they did....well I would make it right....ask around...we stand behind our gear....nwo the Mens Epee team has been wearing our 800 gear for about 7 months now under HEAVY use and have no complaints...heck the stuff still looks new...and we use the 350 at the high school we coach at...so...are you sure it was our gear and not one of the other companies that do the pinstriping? If it was our gear...and purchsed since we took over about 8 months ago..have them get in touch with me...

As for the elastic...the complaint I've gotten is it can be real tight till it stretches to fit....but not that it seperates or pulls...also our pants do NOT have velcro closings...but an actually fastner...lol...

Gloves...well the new line is on its way to me..well...now...so give me a day or two...and Ill let ya know what they are like...but all of our gloves cept the sabre w/ overlay are washable...


Feel free to call with any questions...

Rick

[mackillian]

I've got both an LP kit and a Duellist kit (350n jacket and pants). I've got classic knickers and not the Evo knickers (I didn't want the piping on my knickers is why). I got my knickers before Rick took over and I'm replacing them because the zipper is shot and I'd rather invest in a new pair rather than pay to have the zipper replaced (which I checked into). Other than that, they're a great pair of knickers that hold up to heavy use. The jacket is still being tested out, but it's comfortable and light and still looks new (I got it in November). I got it tailored once and the tailor who worked with it said that the workmanship of the jacket was fantastic (his words). I, um, have to get it tailored again, but investing the money to tailor it is well worth it. It's a good jacket.

As for the LP kit, I don't wear it as often, but I think it's more to do with fit issues. The knickers have a tighter band where the top band connects with the leg part of the knickers. Oddly, the knickers fit perfectly fine (are actually a bit baggy) except for that band. *shrug* Wear and tear are negligible. Same for the jacket (which, other than fitting everywhere else, isn't quite long enough o_O). It's also a good kit.

Both LP and Duellist have excellent customer service.

I have small hands as well and switched from an all leather beginner glove to a washable LP glove (the Electric glove with 350n cuff). It fits well and stands up to some heavy use. I've had to replace it once due to a small hole where the thumb connects to the palm of the glove. The elastic cuff stretches out a bit, but I think that's due to my wearing two body cords (epee and foil) and shoving the ends of the cords into the top of the glove. I've never tried a Duellist glove, though I've been tempted.

So...it might just be a fit or look issue, but I'd have a hard time choosing one over the other, aside from the fit.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by JayhawkPawn

I'm in some serious need of advice from Rick, and from our smaller-handed, and female posters. I'm in the process of helping my significant other in picking out new fencing kit, as she has about destroyed her BG pants, and the non-washable leather BG glove is about to talk to me, when it is let out of her fencing bag.

Jayhawk,

You can give us a call here to see if we have your SO's size in stock for the pants. All of the Leon Paul uniforms are double-stitched on the seams and the seams are fully finished for better comfort and durability.

The LP gloves are also really nice and well made. The padding going all the way down to the first knuckle is a nice feature and the fit is good from all reports.

The number for the Fencing.Net store is: 877-452-8024.

Cheer,
Craig

[Morion]

Craig: How are you guys doing filling orders on the Pants? I ordered a pair on the 14th and when I checked last this weekend it still hadn't shipped. LP is backlogged because of the change in rules in the UK I think.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Morion

Craig: How are you guys doing filling orders on the Pants? I ordered a pair on the 14th and when I checked last this weekend it still hadn't shipped. LP is backlogged because of the change in rules in the UK I think.

Did you order from shop.fencing.net or LeonPaulUSA?

[Morion]

LP USA. I thought you were associated directly with them.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Morion

LP USA. I thought you were associated directly with them.

I was running the customer service (via emails) for leonpaulusa.com in my spare time. After Summer Nationals I came to an agreement with the Pauls to become a full vendor and stock product and ship them myself.

Basically, I wanted more control over the service aspect and one major part of that is knowing exactly where everything is and that is best done when I have the physical stock so I can communicate immediately to my customers.

Bill Murphy has taken over the customer service role for Leon Paul USA and you can purchase products from their site or from my site: http://shop.fencing.net/. The advantage to LP USA is they are the factory but everything ships from London and all operations are in the UK. The advantage of ordering from Fencing.Net is that everything ships from the US, but since I'm buying and stocking goods I don't have every product and size in stock and sometimes have to order them from the factory.

Craig