To Paint Or Not To Paint Your Mask

[FencingKitten]

That was Josh Pero, from when he was in NROTC. He's since replaced it.

I thought it was Doug Ivey, from when he was a 1st or 2nd year Midshipman - maybe they shared it?

Anyway. KD5MDK and I are attempting to figure out how you would go about doing this with a sabre mask...

[Queen of Hearts]

I've heard that guys paint their masks to make up for small ...
epees

[oiuyt]

Anyway. KD5MDK and I are attempting to figure out how you would go about doing this with a sabre mask...

There was a discussion on that subtopic a year or two ago either here or on the LP forum. LP was doing it. I believe via angled airgun and then sanding off the paint that ends up on the front surface of the mask. You end up still getting the visual effect of a painted mask, while retaining the conductivity required for it to work in sabre. Vague recollections that it went something like that.

-B

[Durando]

I thought it was Doug Ivey, from when he was a 1st or 2nd year Midshipman - maybe they shared it?

Anyway. KD5MDK and I are attempting to figure out how you would go about doing this with a sabre mask...

Little brown cows, okay. Big yellow anchor face, brrr.

Go Brown Cows!
(UT Fencing War Cry 1986-1990)

[noodle]

There was a discussion on that subtopic a year or two ago either here or on the LP forum. LP was doing it. I believe via angled airgun and then sanding off the paint that ends up on the front surface of the mask. You end up still getting the visual effect of a painted mask, while retaining the conductivity required for it to work in sabre. Vague recollections that it went something like that.

-B

thats what they did.

[Jumile]

Anyone seen the painted Scream mask on display at the Duellist shop in England? It looks great.

But when I asked, the chap there said it wasn't legal for competition - not in the UK at least. Such a shame.

[DHCJr]

So was that officially adopted by the USFA? And if so, is the FIE still the body to which we would send a mask design, were we so inclined, if that mask if for use in a USFA event? Just curious, they've never bothered me (I've fenced tiger guy and skull head I think in the past), cause it turns out the lame doesn't change when the mask gets painted.

As it was said, it is in the USFA rule book also, so it is official.

But also according to the USFA it is only a requirement for National tournaments. On page 54, there is a note; At USFA local, divisional, and sectional competitons, there are no restrictions on colors or decorations on uniforms, providing that the uniforms still comply with all other requirements.

[Frank Pratt]

As it was said, it is in the USFA rule book also, so it is official.

But also according to the USFA it is only a requirement for National tournaments. On page 54, there is a note; At USFA local, divisional, and sectional competitons, there are no restrictions on colors or decorations on uniforms, providing that the uniforms still comply with all other requirements.

So can/will someone approve a mask design for US National tournaments? Are deisgns that have been approved by the FIE okay for domesic National tournaments?

[DHCJr]

So can/will someone approve a mask design for US National tournaments? Are deisgns that have been approved by the FIE okay for domesic National tournaments?

1) Not unless they change the rules.
2) You really think the Executive Committee (i.e. Rene Roch) is going to approve any design.

[NGFC]

hello to epee scherma, the reason i wear the stripe is the same reason i wore the stripe 20 years ago, it is so your oponent can't see your eyes through the white part as opposed to the black.

[Epee Scherma]

Yeah that sounds like a smart thing. It looks nice too, NGFC.

Can we assume the solid colored masks, like those sold by PbT or Allstar have been FIE approved designs? I've seen fencers with colored masks just at this past JO's...

[NGFC]

actually now that your here. there are 2 reasons people paint their mask or pehaps even 3. 1 like mine purely a technical device for the sole purpose of not tipping my oponent by giving away what my eyes are looking at. 2. for sekf expressions sake, as fencers are into symbols like crossed swords, the mask is also a self expression , i have sen american flags, evil clowns ( nit allowed in the world championships, etc. and the 3rd imagine would be for intimidation purposes. the worst reason espeically when you can clean their clock as if inspired by their painted mask. i was approached once at nationals and told by an older epeeist that he would be aiming for my stripe. Also on another occasion at a NAC, former olympic fencer John Morreau, actually pushed my mask in backwards giving me a bloddy nose as he lunged at clos quarters at my mask. was he aiming? who knows?

[DHCJr]

Yeah that sounds like a smart thing. It looks nice too, NGFC.

Can we assume the solid colored masks, like those sold by PbT or Allstar have been FIE approved designs? I've seen fencers with colored masks just at this past JO's...

Solid colored masks is not a design, so there is no need for approval. There is no rule as to what color for masks, just designs.

[Epee Scherma]

Ohhh yeah that's right. Thank you for the clarrification DHC.

[Valerio Versace]

I'm thinking about buying an old mask, painting it white, with two black spots for the eyes, a small yellow nose and a red ribbon. Call me gay if you want, but an Hello Kitty mask would really ROCK. Imagine fencing against someone who's got his mask painted like Hello Kitty's face: that would be amazing!

[mrbiggs]

If there's anything fancy, you run the risk of some opponent calling your mask a distraction. If the director backed him up, you'd have to get a new one, which would be a pain.

[Durando]

Also on another occasion at a NAC, former olympic fencer John Morreau, actually pushed my mask in backwards giving me a bloddy nose as he lunged at clos quarters at my mask. was he aiming? who knows?

Ha ha ha! Erm. Yeah. Probably. Fencing JM is always fun!