Fencing Gear

Oook! Here's the deal! ::Sorry, I'll try to put all my questions in this post!:: I really enjoy fencing, and my teacher said I should get a mask if nothing else. So he gave my mother an I a catalog from Triplette Competition Arms. He recommended either these two masks for me to buy

1. #1999 Triplette 3 Weapon Mask

2. #015 Negrini 3 Weapon Mask

Has anyone had/heard of these masks, or know anything about them? Are they good, etc etc?

Also, does anyone live in the San Fransisco area? If you do, do you know if there are any fencing stores so you can try on the gear and make sure it fits instead of using a catalog? Is there a Triplette Competition Arms store, or any other decent fencing store?

Thanks so much for the help!



[This message has been edited by FencingQueen4 (edited 01-16-2001).]

[Arturo]

American Fencing Supply www.amfence.com
Telephone
415-863-7911
FAX
415-431-4931
Postal address
1180 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA. 94103

Oooh yes! Thank you, thank you! ::hugs!:: your the best!

[damianip]

The fencingQueen4 writes:

1. #1999 Triplette 3 Weapon Mask

2. #015 Negrini 3 Weapon Mask

Has anyone had/heard of these masks, or know anything about them? Are they good, etc etc?

I know a bit about one of these masks. My first mask was a Negrini 015. My son's first mask was a Triplette #183 which is the model below the one you're considering.

In my experience the Negrini is the best sub $100.00 mask I've seen. At our club we have a variety of PC, Santelli, and Artos masks, and only the Artos comes close but it is a bit more expensive: about $100.00.

I still use my Negrini as a backup/practice mask. I've since replaced it with the FIE Negrini (which you can get from AMFence, BTW).

The Negrinis are well made but light in the padding department. This makes for a lighter, cooler more comfortable mask. The downside is that, although they won't necessarily puncture any more easily in the bib, they won't take the sting out of the touch like a well padded mask (the PBT comes to mind as a well padded mask: both the FIE and non-FIE).

If you are near SF, Amfence is a good shop. I've used them several times through mail order and visited them last time I was in SF. As good as Triplette has been for me, sometimes there is no substitute for trying it on before buying it.


Paolo

[darius]

I have that Triplette mask, just retired it over Christmas break. It held up for several years, took some major head blows in epee, and is always a source of amusement/amazement to armorers at tournaments. ("Check it out! Can you believe this passes?!?!")

A college club I fence at has the Negrinis - I've used them a couple times and can highly recommend them.

darius

[MikeHarm]

My first fencing mask was a Negrini, it held up very well for a number of years. I'd give it a thumbs up.

Mike

[This message has been edited by MikeHarm (edited 01-17-2001).]

[saberkid]

well not in frisco, im in sacto i think there both good i perfer triplette more but thats just cause my name last name is triplett... (without the E) wish i could get free gear form them for that one

[alessandro]

Fencing Queen,

For your other posts i suppose that u've been fecing less than a month, so i don't see why to get you a mask, the club usually gives gear to the new people untill they start going to competitions and that stuff.
But if you want to buy the masks i would say that Negrini is the best between those 2 masks you mentioned, if you want something cheaper but less quality you can buy it online at www.blade-fencing.com.
-AleX

[This message has been edited by alessandro (edited 01-18-2001).]

[BarryTice]

FencingQueen4 --

My first mask was the low-end Triplette that came with my starter set in (if I remember correctly) 1991. I retired it in November of 2000, though it was still passing tests at tournaments. And I'm an epeé fencer, so I've taken my share of head hits.

Given, I did take three years off in there; and given, I don't go to a lot of tournaments. But I certainly can't complain about a 9-year-old mask that I retired because it was smelling funky.

I'm an admitted fan of Triplette, and all my fencing-specific equipment has come from them. The few things that haven't been right the first time, they've been happy to correct. (They're also a sponsor of my fencing club, and come to both of our big tournaments every year.)

That being said, there's nothing like going into the store and trying things on. If you have the luxury of a fencing equipment store in your area, take advantage of it.

- Barry Tice

[latenight]

I recommend ponying up a little extra cash and getting an Uhlmann FIE mask. It seems more expensive at first, but it is more expensive to keep upgrading down the line. My first was a Blade mask, It was decent, but was not nearly as good fitting as my Uhlmann. Of course, You may never want to upgrade and use your first mask forever, but that was not my experience

[fred]

I have the Triplette 1999. I love the removable bib liner. It fits me very well, it's not too hot, and they have ear holes in the padding, I don't know why more manufacturers don't do that.

However. After a year of fencing, the rubber bumper strip has come unglued and the biggest beef I have is that the mask mesh is not stainless. Where the paint has gotten chipped off or nicked from head shots, I have rust. There is no good way to de-rust mesh. I recommend spending a more and getting a mask with stainless steel mesh.

[saberkid]

i dunno bout ulhman when your just begening specily depending on what weapon you use if you use foil or saber its not as big of a deal (saber being dry) if its epee then it might be worth it to buy the ulhman but its a huge increse of money to spend on one and if money is an issue (like it is with most fencers) then i would just get a regular mask (non fie) you wont need an fie mask till you start compeating ALOT or going to international turnments witch im sure you wont be doing for a long time. i use a b/g mask and as a starter mask i like it quite a bit it has exalent padding farly strong and quite cheap and lasts for a long time iv had mine for 2 years and no problems

ok im rambling and now im done

Chris

[sabreuse]

Saberkid,

Punctuation can be a good thing. Don't be scared of it.


Sabreuse

[saberkid]

yeah yeah i know my sp and punctuation is horable but i do the best i can im going through some grammer/somthing course in my school so it'll get better you just watch

yeah i know no pereod's or anything like that... well at least i can see i didnt do them