Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

BruceT · 06-21-2006, 11:49 PM

I'm in the market for a new mask, there's several FIE 1600 masks for foil - any ideas on the best mask for the money and what you like about your mask? Thanks - Bruce at the Austin Fencing Club.

erooMynohtnA · 06-22-2006, 01:25 AM

http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/lp-280c.htm

Katman · 06-22-2006, 01:35 AM

Check out the product reviews section. It's a great feature.

http://www.fencing.net/reviews/

KD5MDK · 06-22-2006, 01:54 AM

Since you don't appear to be going to Summer Nationals, I'd say either a BG FIE if you're going cheap, since they're the cheapest FIE masks, or either a Negrini or Leon Paul, depending on if you like the "Contour-Fit" system or not. Somebody ought to have one of those at your club. You can get the Negrini from Swordmasters at either the SSCC tournament you're hosting this fall, or the Longhorn Open in October for sure.

El Chucko · 06-22-2006, 02:18 AM

Leon Paul, hands down. I do not have the contour fitting on mine (just traditional hooky-thing), but I do love it. I fence epee 3-5 days a week, and the face of my mask does not have a single dent after 18 months. Literally. Sure, the coating chips off a little, but the mesh is SOLID.

Also, very comfortable and well-fitting. Seriously, get a Leon Paul.

Zilverzmurfen · 06-22-2006, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceT

I'm in the market for a new mask, there's several FIE 1600 masks for foil - any ideas on the best mask for the money and what you like about your mask? Thanks - Bruce at the Austin Fencing Club.

I looooove it, best mask ever.

Frank Pratt · 06-22-2006, 09:55 AM

I've been using an Allstar FIE mask for the past 10 years and have loved it. I've also known a lot of people who like Purier's FIE masks and have heard a lot of good things about Leon Paul's masks, though I have no direct experience with either brand.

I certainly think it's worth holding off on the purchase until you can try the masks on in person. Choosing a good mask is a matter a personal taste, head size/shape, whether or not you wear eyeglasses, and several other variables. A mask that is perfect for one fencer might be terrible for you.

RITFencing · 06-22-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I looooove it, best mask ever.

I respectfully disagree. I'm not giving up my contour fit leon paul FIE for ANYTHING.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 06-22-2006, 10:50 AM

There really is no best mask. There are good masks though, and there are bad masks.

Good masks include....
Leon Paul FIE
Prieur FIE
Allstar/Uhlmann FIE
Negrini FIE
FenceWithFun FIE

Then there are bad masks....
PBT FIE
Triplette FIE
The ugly cartel/estoc FIE masks
Blue gauntlet FIE

Find a good mask, try it on.

RITFencing · 06-22-2006, 10:58 AM

DFP raises a good point about finding the right mask. If you can make it out to a NAC, JOs or Nationals there will be a ton of vendors. Try on different masks, see what you like.

epeeisky · 06-22-2006, 11:07 AM

I would never get another mask other than my LP FIE Contour Fit System. It is a tank, and very comfortable. What else could you want?

KD5MDK · 06-22-2006, 11:08 AM

The Triplette and Cartel/Estoc masks are not FIE, although they may be 1600N. What's bad about the PBT one?

bunbury · 06-22-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

The Triplette and Cartel/Estoc masks are not FIE, although they may be 1600N. What's bad about the PBT one?

It's PBT.

Zilverzmurfen · 06-22-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunbury

It's PBT.

At least it's not Prieur.

Morion · 06-22-2006, 12:54 PM

When LP moved their factory they had a bit of a problem getting the coating on the mesh right. It was so thick you could hardly see out of the mask. Hopefully they have cleared that up. I ended up with a Negrini mask and it works really well.

Purple Fencer · 06-22-2006, 03:59 PM

All the masks have to be made to teh same standards (<130 degree on the face of the mask, 25kg on the mesh, 1600N bib, etc) and go through the same exhaustive tests...

For me, I really like the Prieur I've had for a number of years...specifically, the interior lining. I cannot STAND that roll under the chin that the Uhlmann and FWFs have...it chokes me...and I get the same complaint from my clients.

That's why my own mask (under development) will have a padding pattern like the Prieur. I should have a sample in a few weeks (in fact, the interior padding issue is the only major thing left to deal with)...probably be placing a small order after that...sabre AND foil. No FIE yet, tho...I can't afford that cost yet...but my maker is thinking about an FIE anyway, so if he decides to proceed, I play try to split the cost.

KD5MDK · 06-22-2006, 04:16 PM

What will your mask offer that existing ones don't?

Purple Fencer · 06-22-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

What will your mask offer that existing ones don't?

The angle on the face will be <130 degrees (per the rules)....some non-FIE masks are too flat in front (JL for example) and the angle's designed to make a blade skitter off the mask.

The interior padding I explained above.

Bib will likely be 700N

The strap will NOT be the 2 bits of velcro at each end and a central strap that can be lost, like Uhlmanns....it'll be 2 straps, one sewn into the mask at each end, meeting in teh middle. The advantages are 1) you can't lose the strap unless you cut it off 2) much less chance of getting your hair caught in the velcro (a problem which, sadly, I don't have to worry about!), and 3) it's a LOT easier to secure the strap with the off hand, meaning the weapon hand can keep the blade from swinging around wildly.

The steel is good and strong...closer to the current Uhlmanns than the older JLs.

On the sabre mask, you'll be able to clip the head cord to teh frame and get the clip into the back of the mesh...nice and secure, and a LOT better for your mask than clipping to the bib (which tears up the lame)

I'm also working on a new tounge design that will drastically cut the stress on the rivet from being adjusted improperly (which happens ALL too frequently). I just sketched the idea out and am waiting for Mergs to review it. it won't be on the first masks, tho.

The changes are actually fairly minor in and of themselves, but the idea is to eliminate those little things that irritate fencers, and sometimes getting rid of thse thing is better than a full-on redesign. In addition, I try to design things with 2 primary viewpoints...safety (an armorer's #1 concern), and ease of use by the average fencer...i figure if I can use it with no problems, anyone else can!

KD5MDK · 06-22-2006, 06:17 PM

Cheekplates?

Purple Fencer · 06-23-2006, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Cheekplates?

Not on the foil masks...no real need that I can see compared to a sabre mask, although I could have them added.

We're trying to nail down the sabre ones...I HATE the JLs because they leave a little shelf that can catch a blade and shear them off. The Negrinis are much better, in that the plate is bevelled and much mroe flush with the mask...less chance of having it cut away. That's what I'm aiming at.