Epee bell guards...

[seven6ty]

So I was wondering, do you prefer the Xtra Lite, or Xtra Strong Guards?

When I started up I was excited about the new Xtra Lite ones, and got those on all my blades. After trying them a bit, I haven't really found anything to like about them that much. They aren't really that much lighter, and I prefer the heavier ones as they tend to balance my blade a bit better and bring the center of gravity back a bit closer to the handle. Also, they don't get all banged up and misshapen in a couple of months. Others' opinions?

[GorillaSmile]

I agree. I don't mid the extra weight and to be honest, the one time I tried a lite I couldn't tell much of a difference at all. After about 3 minutes of holding te weapon I had adjusted and didn't notice any improvement while fencing. I also, in theory, agree about the balance.

[fencerbill]

Before I quit Epee I had a Blade one piece so-called Titanium with the integral thicker section where the blade came through. Never dented, never deformed, barely even scratched. Seemed a little lighter.

What? A Blade product that was excellent. Must be heresy.

[BySword]

I actually I prefer the vinity one-piece or the fwf german bell guard, both are lighter than generic bell guards you found but neither is the extra light ones. They are all strong ang take hard bits but never dent. I mainly use vinity, if I use generic bell guards on them, the weight of the weapon will all center at the bell guard and hand area, vinity or german guards are just the right weight for them.
the poll is flawed anyway. you should at least include something like "xtra no price" or "neither is a issue".

[KD5MDK]

I Xpect that there is no Xtreme difference between Xtra Strong and Xtra Light bell guards, really. Most people will adapt to whatever Xtra weight the stronger ones will have, and unless they have Xisting hand problems it won't be an important issue. Xamine you options and choose what seems most natural to you.

[CvilleFencer]

I like the Vniti (FWF/Uhlmann/Allstar also make a version) "Titanium" bell guards. They are both very strong and light weight. Best of both worlds and therefore the reason that I consider the poll flawed...

[noodle]

I like the Vniti (FWF/Uhlmann/Allstar also make a version) "Titanium" bell guards. They are both very strong and light weight. Best of both worlds and therefore the reason that I consider the poll flawed...

http://www.fencing.net/reviews/censu...ils&itemid=323
extra strong and, although not quite as light as the extra lights, they're well balanced and lighter than a lot of the bells i've used.

[seven6ty]

Yeah, sorry, the last place I ordered from only had Xtra Lite and Xtra Strong, so I figured that they just get split up into two categories now, so Xtra Strong would be like normal I guess.

[epeeisky]

I like the ACG(Blue Gauntlet) light bellgaurd. They are lightweight and don't take dents. In the year that I have had this gaurd it has not taken a dent, only some scratches. Plus the best is that it is only $8.

[fencerbill]

I Xpect that there is no Xtreme difference between Xtra Strong and Xtra Light bell guards, really. Most people will adapt to whatever Xtra weight the stronger ones will have, and unless they have Xisting hand problems it won't be an important issue. Xamine you options and choose what seems most natural to you.

Xactly.

[telkanuru]

The Vniti one-piece guards are the essence of quality. The german 'titanium' guards that have the rivits still, however, are most definitely not.

[wbowman]

I tried some of the Uhlmann extra light guards, liked them and still use them, but they do take a lot of dents. The dents can be hammered out, though, with a hammer and a piece of the end of a broomstick (rounded end against the dent).
Recently, though, I bought some of Blue Gauntlet's ultra-light guards. They seem as light as the Uhlmann, but a lot tougher. Have yet to get a dent in one.

[bigdawg2121]

Before I quit Epee I had a Blade one piece so-called Titanium with the integral thicker section where the blade came through. Never dented, never deformed, barely even scratched. Seemed a little lighter.

What? A Blade product that was excellent. Must be heresy.

Bill the answer is that it was a Vniti product being sold by Blade. While I ahven't tried the FWF versions of the one piece ultra-strong aluminum guards they are noticeably lighter than comparable guards in my experience, then again I'm rather nit-picky about things like that.

[fencerbill]

Bill the answer is that it was a Vniti product being sold by Blade. While I ahven't tried the FWF versions of the one piece ultra-strong aluminum guards they are noticeably lighter than comparable guards in my experience, then again I'm rather nit-picky about things like that.

Phew! Saved from heresy.

[KD5MDK]

Nobody uses AllstarUSA as evidence that Allstar gear is crap, either...

[Zilverzmurfen]

The german 'titanium' guards that have the rivits still, however, are most definitely not.

The german aluminium-titanium alloy guards does not have any rivets. It's a one-piece guard, AFAIK identical to the Vniti one (sans the Vniti stamp -- plus the Made in Germany stamp).

These are IMO the best guards ever. Hence the poll is you-know-what.

[Inquartata]

No epee guard made will perform satisfactorily on a sabre. Therefore, I do not like any of them. And therefore, I---voted with the majority.

[seven6ty]

Ahhhh, I knew never to overestimate the intelligence of a saberist.

[needle]

The Vniti one-piece guards are the essence of quality.

Definitely. Switched to them recently and they're great!

[twisterfencing]

Viniti for both foil and epee.

Something to be said for the lack of:
*Dents,,,bullet holes on epee guards
*No revits (spelling?) No yellow cards for them coming loose
*Staying the same shape,,,or close for those killer foil fencers
*Weight,,,oddly enough, they only weigh a few grams more than an Uhlmann Ultralight

Wishes:
*The center hole would be just a tad bit larger. They are a Bit@h sometimes to file out to go over a blade.
*The finish of the metal would be just a little smoother.

Gary Spruill