Maintaining Quality of Your Mask

[FenceToTheT]

I just recently purchased my mask (saber) and my coach told me not to store my mask in warm places and I have to make sure that it gets enough air otherwise I won't be able to use it. He said I should do the same thing with my gloves.

Any other tips that would help me maintain the quality of my fencing equipment?

[KD5MDK]

Fencing gear that accumulates sweat should be aired and dried just like any other sports equipment, or it will stink like an epeeist.

[Inquartata]

Which is to be avoided at all cost!

I place mine in a plastic grocery bag after use, to reduce abrasion from the inside of my fencing bag against the lamé bib, er mask-beard. That's what kills most sabre masks: wear and loss of conductivity on the bib. Once home I take it out and let it air.

My glove is a washable, so, well, I wash it.

[fencerbill]

Trapped moisture and sweat are the main culprits. Finest kind of care is to store both mask and Lame where the air can circulate around them between use.

Doesn't hurt to wash them regularly. About every 30-50 times you use them. Plenty of advice for washing in other threads, I can repeat my preferences by private message if you wish.

Details of care really depend on whether they are stainless or not. Stainless Lames and masks cost $100 plus. Any mask or Lame less than $100 is probably not stainless.

Don't turn the sleeves inside out.

[FenceToTheT]

I'll keep all of this in mind. I really needed advice. Thanks a lot .

Doesn't hurt to wash them regularly. About every 30-50 times you use them. Plenty of advice for washing in other threads, I can repeat my preferences by private message if you wish.

Hope you wouldn't mind .

[Aqua_volans]

hmmm. if you are using the lp saber mask with the removable bib, then take it out and spray it down with water. DO NOT put it out in the sun. hang it somewhere else in the house. i do that with my lame to... nothing untoward has happened... please tell me i am not doing the wrong thing...

[Aqua_volans]

ewww. every 30-50 times? i wash mine every 2 times of use

[KD5MDK]

You wash your mask every other day? (Or suitable substitute rate thereof)

[Aqua_volans]

every two uses which is arond once a week...

[remise]

I sort of do the same thing. My mask gets a good cleaning every week, and I fence 3 times a week on average.

[Dax]

Lol, I've used my current mask for about 6 months now, never been washed.

[Inquartata]

Epeeist. Totally.

[needle]

Epeeist. Totally.

Of course he is - a sabreur wouldn't even notice his mask hasn't been washed for any period less than 2 years

[parrythis]

Lol, I've used my current mask for about 6 months now, never been washed.

6 months, it's practically new. No need to wash anything that new.

[KD5MDK]

Of course he is - a sabreur wouldn't even notice his mask hasn't been washed for any period less than 2 years

I wash mine when the conductivity goes down...

[needle]

I wash mine when the conductivity goes down...

As in "when the layer upon layer of dried sweat gets so thick that a whack with a saber blade cannot get through to the conductive part"?

EDIT: Or as in "when the inspecting armorer passes out from the stench before being able to complete conductivity test"?

... whichever occurs sooner ...

[TrainingDummy]

The masculine scent of an epeeist is nothing to be ashamed of.

[KD5MDK]

As in "when the layer upon layer of dried sweat gets so thick that a whack with a saber blade cannot get through to the conductive part"?

EDIT: Or as in "when the inspecting armorer passes out from the stench before being able to complete conductivity test"?

... whichever occurs sooner ...

The lining gets washed far more regularly. But the parts that don't contact my skin need it less, and take extra effort.

[Inquartata]

6 months, it's practically new. No need to wash anything that new.

Another epeeist, naturally!

I'm surprised you guys even know the meaning of the word "wash".


Yet poor Needle bravely soldiers on, trying to sell the amusing idea that it's really sabre fencers rather than epeeists who are hygenically challenged. You guys aren't helping him very much! What happened to hive solidarity?

[Inquartata]

The masculine scent of an epeeist is nothing to be ashamed of.

Fled from at all costs, yes...