Fencing Bags

[tkexi991]

I am in the market for a new fencing bag. I currently have a guitar style from PC - it lasted about two years before plane flights and minor wear and tear have created large holes at the narrow end. Typically I carry three epees, a mask, shoes, uniform and a small tool assortment in the bag - although I have been known to squeeze a couple foils in as well.

My question - what bags do you use? What is the best bag for carrying multiple weapons and masks, and most importantly - what is the appropriate price to pay for one?

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!


The poll alternatives do not cover all possible alternatives, so the poll is.....

Anyway, I use both a cheap LP guitar-shaped bag, and a cheap (30$) soft-sided rollwheel golfbag.


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[JackOfHearts]

Yep, this poll is definetly flawed. Though I use a regular dufflebag for my mask and other assorted gear, and I carry my weapons in PVC pipe "ninja" sheathes.

[bigdawg2121]

Depends on how you like to travel mostly. The hard golf case is nice and can carry a ton of weapons if you pack it right. The high end roll bags are also nice and usually have more than one large compartment and a little bag you can use to carry weapons between actual bouts. I like the high end roll bag setup b/c I can pack my clothes, uniform, weapon into one bag and be good. If you don't need to travel light it might not be as big of a deal for you.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by tkexi991

My question - what bags do you use?

I have this one (but in black and orange) and I love it.

It was not cheap -- and wouold probably be even dearer in the US -- but I find it very durable and practical. I've had it for ~3 years and have travelled quite a bit with it (car/train/bus/flights) and have not had a problem, it's holding up very well.

It's not cheap, but I highly recommend it!


Ooops...just noticed one of the US vendors sell it for 300 USD.
I bought mine directly from Allstar (GER) and paid ~200 USD. As I said, not cheap...

[bigdawg2121]

I also use the roll bag that ZZ uses (possibly useful if referencing my previous post). I got mine from a friend that bought one and found out he couldn't use it so I can't speak as to whether I find it worth the price as I didn't pay.

[qatet]

The one main advantage that roll bags have over hard cases, other than those mentioned above, is that it's a bit easier to squeeze them into a car, and a bit easier to carry more than one in a car, if you're toting others to tournaments. Never underestimate the importance of a squishy corner!

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by qatet

The one main advantage that roll bags have over hard cases, other than those mentioned above, is that it's a bit easier to squeeze them into a car, and a bit easier to carry more than one in a car, if you're toting others to tournaments. Never underestimate the importance of a squishy corner!

Also because the size of a regular rollbag is not 'fixed' (as with hardcases) it's easier to fit things in it.

[sjpfencer220]

I currently have a uhlmann roll bag and have had it since summer nationals. It has been very convienent and has a lot of space however it does get quite banged up when I fly to a tournament. I am getting a new one in summer nationals so it has lasted about a year. I used to have a hard bag and although that held up better, it was harder to fit in rental cars and harder to fit all of my weapons in. The hard golf bag was about $100 and the bag I have now was probably about $200 but I think it was worth it. I also use a duffle bag sometimes to carry my mask or my uniform.

[epeeisky]

I have this bag. It is rather large and works very well. Better yet it is much cheaper than any other bag of its size on the the market.

[KD5MDK]

I have a cheap rollbag.

[TitanHawk]

I don't have any weapons as of yet as I use club weapons but I use a backback to carry my stuff (body cords, cloths, ect).

I'm currently waiting for someone to make my bag, though it's been a few months since I've asked and he's been busy / forgetful. He does quality work however and since I don't yet have weapons it's not a big issue but I would like my bag.

[Goldgar]

I've been using soft, guitar-style bags for 20 years, and still use one for schlepping my weapons locally. Even the big "team-size" bag I have now is a bit strained, though, when it's loaded up with all 13 or so weapons (epees, foils, and a sabre for fun). But I recently got a hard golf case for airplane travel, and I feel much happier about my gear making it to my destination undamaged.

[tallntender]

SKB makes really nice hardshell bags.

They have wheels, latches, and hardy handles. They make a cylinder and another that looks as though it's designed to hold a contrabassoon, or something. I recommend the cylinder, because the other is too large for a mid-size car trunk or backseat.

Their cylinder will hold mask, several weapons, clothes, etc.

The TSA always opens mine, so I'm careful to bring my kit in a carryon.

[GorillaSmile]

I use an Easton baseball bag that I got at Goodwill for $5. Students can't be choosers...but it serves me well so far.

[tkexi991]

Thanks for the comments so far... anyone have the LP roller bag with the aluminum tray bottom?

[ShadyLane]

This poll is a tad flawed, you forgot bags without wheels!

Anyway, I have a bag that resembles epeeisky's except it's an Allstar bag

[remise]

I have a bag like ZZ's. It holds the gear (and clothing and masks) for the three of us.

[Mergs]

Have used the Golf Guard hardshell for last 10 years. And yes, the airlines managed to tear up my first one (the latches, which on the early models were garbage). For about 70USD they are a great buy. I carry 7 foils and 6 epees, 4 of each bodycords, mask, shoes, clothes, and toolkit. Depending on how liberal the airlines are with their weight restrictions, I can normally get by. Sometimes I have to move my toolkit to my roll-on bag, which has to be checked, too.

[wbowman]

I went through about three Golf Guards. They're relatively cheap, as Mergs says, but the airlines kept coming up with ways to break them.
After I lost a wheel on one on the way to Nationals a few years ago, I got a more expensive hard-shell golf case (a Bag Boy) -- just to be able to get home.
Even then, the airlines managed to find ways to damage it. It was tougher than the Golf Guard, but a little harder to get into the car.
I now have an Uhlmann "Jumbo" rollbag, which is easier to transport, but doesn't hold as much stuff -- a problem when you sometimes fence all three weapons.
So far, I've taken it to three or four air-travel tournaments and has survived nicely, but I always check it over with trepidation when it comes out of the baggage claim chute.
It has the extra bag that zips onto the top -- which looks to me like it could easily catch on something. But so far (knock on wood) no problem.