Who does your country's (non-USA) national colors for your uniform?

[Mauler]

All this talk of US Fencing national colors, different application options, vendors, copyright issues, etc has made me wonder....

For non-USA fencers, how does your country's NGB/vendors handle the national colors stuff for your uniform? Is it copyrighted by a specific vendor? Do your "non-elite" fencers wear uniforms with national colors? In the US, it's quite common to see recreational level fencers brandishing the "Stars" logo at any given random tournament.

How do some of less fencing-prolific countries' NGB's handle having their athletes' uniforms stenciled with the proper logo? Is there a centralized source (i.e. international vendor) that caters to this specific need?

[bigdawg2121]

The FIE site has it as a PDF. Not hard to find.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!


In Sweden, rec level fencers do not have SVERIGE emblazoned all over the back, with some rare exceptions. Those who have it are almost always those who have competed in FIE-level competitions, and/or competed for a Swedish Natl. team.

It is fairly common, but by no means done by everyone, to have the family name on the back. Name printage incidence seems to go up with the general level of the fencer.

I *think* that one Swedish reseller also does printing for a fee. I have not heard about - and I think that I would have, if such were the case - copyright issues. I guess that most fencers who do not get the printing done by the jacket seller just use templates to color their jackets themselves.

Having the blue/yellow combination on a jacket is very uncommon, I have only seen it on a Natl. team member. No idea where he got it from.


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[Durando]

Looks pretty retro in France, at least on the regional level. Very few fencers have their names printed on their jackets. More common to see the club name in the flocking than the country. Everybody who fences the national circuit seems to have their name; every foreigner seems to have their name and country. I've only seen national colors on national, or ex-national team members. NDC Angers has a cool little club patch, exactly the same size as the Allstar FIE label. They sew it on just beside.

[Gav]

check this thread out on the fencingforum. There's a lot there and you can wade through all of the interminable bickering about 'national colours' and what they mean. In general only people who fence internationally (or have done in the past) wear their stripes. I wear them (not that I like them mind) because I fence abroad occasionally. Don't forget there is not so much 'patriotic fervour' in the UK as there is in the States. IN the UK stripes are seen as a status symbol in some quarters. Read the thread and you will see what I mean.

I believe that the sole supplier, or manufacturer at least, is Leon Paul. I couldn't say whether they own the rights - I would expect they do.

As 'decoration' I have just received my Saltire stripes which will be put next to my GB stripes. They are not official - in the sense that the FIE will only recognise one nation per country - but they are common amongst people who have represented Scotland. They are bought in by a company called GoFence.

There is nothing stopping you from wearing the stripes in this country. My opinion is that it's the fencer who matters not how brightly coloured; covered in badges; dripping in flags; he is

[Zilverzmurfen]

For non-USA fencers, how does your country's NGB/vendors handle the national colors stuff for your uniform? Is it copyrighted by a specific vendor? Do your "non-elite" fencers wear uniforms with national colors?

Here in Sweden you get the 'flags' (for you breeches) from the Swedish Fencing Federation. (They do not deal with printing of names on jackets.)

As we don't really have any vendors of fencing equipment in our country I'm guessing that this is the only way to get them. I have no idea about copyright issues.

I'm a 'non-elite' fencer myself, but since I occassionally fence abroad and/or in international competitions I'm required to have my name on my jacket. I'd say that since fencing is such a small sport over here, most people who are interested in competing in tournaments get their jacket printed.

(As to the 'name marking' of the jacket it's perfectly ok to do this by yourself, as long as you bear the regulations in mind. For my new jacket I decided not to take it to a printing shop, but to buy a piece of printed cloth to sew on.)

[Fencergrl]

In Canada, you buy the patches from the Canadian Fencing Federation in the "boutique" on their web site.

Here's the link http://www.fencing.ca/boutique.htm

*Note: Just hit "Sign Up Now" and you'll be able to view what's available.