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erooMynohtnA · 10-11-2006, 03:59 AM

We're thinking of doing a club order from Absolute, and I have a couple questions.

Absolute is carrying a "new" FIE blade. Anyone know the forge? Anyone tried one out?

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...b06igj6a4brjn2

Also, one of our fencers bought an Absolute ultra light lame, and I'm very impressed with it. Does anyone have any comments on their durability?

piste off · 10-11-2006, 12:20 PM

Can't help you out on your exact question... but do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT order wired blades from them. I bought several hoping to save time but every one failed quickly (three of the four popped out within the first few touches, I kid you not).

The best they would do was to give me three new wires. They are nice folks to deal with, but the handling of this situation was poor to say the least and they don't know how to wire a blade at all.

Rick

brtech · 10-11-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erooMynohtnA

Also, one of our fencers bought an Absolute ultra light lame, and I'm very impressed with it. Does anyone have any comments on their durability?

One of my daughters has had one since Summer Nationals. So far, so good, but check again in a year or so.

erooMynohtnA · 10-11-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piste off

Can't help you out on your exact question... but do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT order wired blades from them. I bought several hoping to save time but every one failed quickly (three of the four popped out within the first few touches, I kid you not).

The best they would do was to give me three new wires. They are nice folks to deal with, but the handling of this situation was poor to say the least and they don't know how to wire a blade at all.

Rick

I wire my own stuff with LP tips, so that's not a problem for me. It's a shame they do bad wiring jobs, but that's the first negative thing I've heard about Absolute.

***Craig*** · 10-11-2006, 12:59 PM

I picked up one of the AF FIE blades to test out. I'll let you know in a little bit.

Craig

DJ Apostrophe · 10-11-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piste off

Can't help you out on your exact question... but do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT order wired blades from them. I bought several hoping to save time but every one failed quickly (three of the four popped out within the first few touches, I kid you not).

The best they would do was to give me three new wires. They are nice folks to deal with, but the handling of this situation was poor to say the least and they don't know how to wire a blade at all.

Rick

Did you expect them to give you new blades or something? Seriously, what did you want? (I'm genuinely curious as to what would have made you a satisfied customer at this point)

That said, I've had the same problem with epee blades from them now. I've started just adding a bit of superglue on the top... no problem with the blade I just got about a week ago... yes, I realize we shouldn't have to do it... but its a small concession... if you don't want to have to top glue your blades, either A: do your own, or B: find another (probably more expensive) vendor whose wires don't pop...

Me, I'll take the 30 seconds with a bottle of superglue.

-w

restlesscheese · 10-11-2006, 02:23 PM

I'm looking at ordering a couple of these for myself as well, so any first impressions or experience that anyone could share would be rather helpful.

SHUfoilist · 10-11-2006, 04:21 PM

I have been ordering from Absolute non-stop for 3 years now and I have not once come across a problem with their wiring jobs. What did you order that you had problems with the wire job?

mifencer · 10-11-2006, 06:05 PM

I've been dealing with AB since their inception and have referred everyone I know to them (those who want to buy in the US, and not do the oversea shipping thing). I've never had a problem that I wouldn't expect anywhere else. What I do expect from anyone I deal with is courteous behaviour, which I get from them.

Good luck finding another vendor. I hear Craig is good. But then if he upsets you, you don't have a forum to vent!!!

piste off · 10-12-2006, 08:37 PM

Sorry I was not specific enough, and a little off target since these were epee blades and not foil, as is the main question of the thread.

Two of the blades were Prieur and two were Vniti (all were FIE). Two failed after a few touches, and were damaged beyond repair (severed) in the process of the brief fencing. The wires popped along the whole (practically) of the blade.

Top glueing was not an option, at least using crazy glue, since in my experience using that requires a very, very clean blade and is best used minimally (i.e. less is more). There was so much glue from their attempt that this was not an option. My choice was to underglue it with Pliobond (epee glue of the Gods, what Santelli's used to use and is by far the best) and that has worked well.

What did I expect? A blade that lasted more than a few touches for one. As far as renumeration - they should have offered something for my trouble such as a discount on the next purchase. I bought the prewired blades to save time which is critical for me. This fiasco required much more effort than if I bought bare blades and wired them myself (e.g. cleaning them and building the weapons/taking them apart - which is no small feat since these were "doglegged" french grips).

In the end, I will still deal with them since they are nice people. I agree that altough there are a lot of vendors, the choices are somewhat limited and Absolute does carry some items I can't seem to find elsewhere. They just failed on this one and I have broadened who I will purchase from in the future (will be cherry picking).

Rick

mrbiggs · 10-12-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piste off

Can't help you out on your exact question... but do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT order wired blades from them. I bought several hoping to save time but every one failed quickly (three of the four popped out within the first few touches, I kid you not).

I'm surprised. I've ordered many foils and epees from them, and only had one problem. (An epee that itermittently registered touches, which is very rare in the first place. They replaced it.)

LordShout · 10-13-2006, 02:38 PM

My club's order last year was AF gear. We aren't ordering again this year.

In one year everyone of their blades failed. The foils we ordered all took bends insanely easily and finally snapped, of the epee's three failed in the first week of fencing the rest snapped throughout the year. The sabers all broke but that was definetly the fault of one of our fencers learning curve.

The foil/epee blades however were not on par with other low cost companies. I had fencers that made the same foil/epee last for 2-3 years pick up an AF blade and watch it snap in a day.

One of the blades also broke into a sharp jagged edge, not pleasing to see.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 10-13-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordShout

My club's order last year was AF gear. We aren't ordering again this year.

In one year everyone of their blades failed. The foils we ordered all took bends insanely easily and finally snapped, of the epee's three failed in the first week of fencing the rest snapped throughout the year. The sabers all broke but that was definetly the fault of one of our fencers learning curve.

The foil/epee blades however were not on par with other low cost companies. I had fencers that made the same foil/epee last for 2-3 years pick up an AF blade and watch it snap in a day.

One of the blades also broke into a sharp jagged edge, not pleasing to see.

That was when blaise freres was making all the blades for absolute....

Joe biebel · 10-13-2006, 05:29 PM

I do not know the forge, but, at the advertised price, I had to try one. As luck (or bad luck) would have it, a student at a club I go to asked me to replace a broken blade for her. I bought one of the absolute FIE foil blades and an LP foil point kit and made one up for her.

The blade itself has pretty good medium bend/flex/curve properties for a light blade. The look of the blade, upon close inspection, shows some small amount of pitting. The groove depth and straightness were okay and the machining and threading were fine. I'm afraid that only time will tell if they are a really sturdy blade or not. If they last a long time, it would make them perhaps the most desireable blade on the market.

MPL · 11-01-2006, 07:09 PM

So has anyone used the blade yet?

keropie · 11-01-2006, 07:20 PM

I've messed around a bit with one, and it feels reasonably nice. But I haven't done much with it (it's not mine, after all...)

Beloit Fencer of Old · 11-01-2006, 07:26 PM

When I went to put the cant into the first of two blades I purchased about a week ago, I couldn't budge it. Really. I am a 245 lb individual...there are FEW things I cannot budge (besides, perhaps, my wife's will).

When I attempted to put the cant into the second blade, it snapped IMMEDIATELY, with very little force.

Jury is still out...

BySword · 11-01-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

When I went to put the cant into the first of two blades I purchased about a week ago, I couldn't budge it. Really. I am a 245 lb individual...there are FEW things I cannot budge (besides, perhaps, my wife's will).

When I attempted to put the cant into the second blade, it snapped IMMEDIATELY, with very little force.

Jury is still out...

put a pvc pipe over the blade and leave the shoulder of the forte about .5 cm (hmmm 1/4 inch ish)from the tang, this makes life a lot easier and prevent bending the forte instead of the tang and snapping. This also gives a much more smooth bend in the tang. I am like a 130 lbs(very light for a guy, lol) individual and I used to have problem canting my FIE epee blades, once I switch to this method, I can bend BF and Vinity tang like marshmallow.

keropie · 11-01-2006, 08:43 PM

I really can't see a normal width of PVC pipe helping any... I mean, it's not like the stuff doesn't just bend in your hands anyhow. I have used a length of steel pipe, and I tried a length of brass pipe, but that shattered pretty quickly.

BySword · 11-01-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keropie

I really can't see a normal width of PVC pipe helping any... I mean, it's not like the stuff doesn't just bend in your hands anyhow. I have used a length of steel pipe, and I tried a length of brass pipe, but that shattered pretty quickly.

it gives you more torque.