What Equipment Company...

[sopranosrbetter]

Hey everyone! I am Brand new to Fencing! I know that it is recomended to start classes before I buy equipment and I totally plan on doing so ( I am not even sure which hand I will use yet b/c I'm left handed but play all my sports right..). I Have been doing a ton of research and I am trying to find the best kit or equpiment for just haning around an open fencing night at the club... ( is 350 ok for this??). I have seen tons of sites (Absolute, Leon Paul, Duellist etc..) and all of their prices are what I expected but which is everyone's favorites and y? I just want to know what would be best for my recreational fencing... Thanks for any comments

[fencingprincess]

Try eBay. I just did and it worked great for me - great deals especially on starter sets.

[larkmaj]

Originally Posted by sopranosrbetter

Hey everyone! I am Brand new to Fencing! I know that it is recomended to start classes before I buy equipment and I totally plan on doing so ( I am not even sure which hand I will use yet b/c I'm left handed but play all my sports right..). I Have been doing a ton of research and I am trying to find the best kit or equpiment for just haning around an open fencing night at the club... ( is 350 ok for this??). I have seen tons of sites (Absolute, Leon Paul, Duellist etc..) and all of their prices are what I expected but which is everyone's favorites and y? I just want to know what would be best for my recreational fencing... Thanks for any comments

First off, you're right, wait to buy equipment. However, the vendors you listed are great, the two I order from the most are Absolute and fencing.net (yes this site, look at the top of the page and click on fencing equipment). Stay away from blade and physical chess... (missing any?)

Generally with fencing equipment the more you spend the longer it will last and give you better protection. The beginner sets are great for purely rec fencing just be sure to GET A PLASTRON (underarm protector), it provides a major piece of protection and most beginner sets do not include one.

I'm going to have to disagree with fencingprincess and say buy from a vendor and not ebay, you now what you're getting, and if you buy from the good ones mentioned, they have great customer service.

Welcome to the Forum.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I would also suggest talking to your coach before going ahead and buying stuff, especially when you're new to the sport.

He/she will be able to give you good advice, and may also have a discount deal with a vendor.

Welcome to fencing!

[Tom S]

[quote=larkmaj;501522] Stay away from blade and physical chess... (missing any?)

QUOTE]

Just wondering why stay away from physical chess?

[noodle]

buy fencing.net or absolute

[keropie]

Originally Posted by Tom S

Just wondering why stay away from physical chess?

A lot of people have had bad customer service issues with blade/physical chess.

[Purple Fencer]

Edited (sorry. Craig)

[Craig]

Let's not get into these type of posts with a bunch of "buy from me" responses. (One of the reasons why I haven't responded.)

-----------

There is a host of product review information available at the Fencing Equipment Reviews section as well as throughout the Armory section of the forums.

Cheers
Craig

[sopranosrbetter]

Sorry to cause trouble... I didn't know I was supposed to stay away from these types of questions...
BTW, I looked at the product review..it was somewhat helpful. I guess I'll just have to keep asking ans find out what I like at the club...

[Go? Fencing?]

No, I think your question is fine. What Craig likes to keep us away from on this board is everyone who's selling something blatantly promoting their own stuff. As you continue to look through this site, you'll find tons of threads where people discuss what vendor they prefer.

Personally, I like f.net, but Blue Gauntlet has stuff that's good for beginners because of the price, but if you stick with fencing for a while, you'll be likely to want to upgrade. If, once you try fencing, you decide that you're definitely going to be fencing for a long time, get some of the better stuff now and it'll be worth your while.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Originally Posted by sopranosrbetter

I am not even sure which hand I will use yet b/c I'm left handed but play all my sports right..).

Dude...Fence Leftie. If you stick with the sport, you will be glad you did.

[sopranosrbetter]

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

Dude...Fence Leftie. If you stick with the sport, you will be glad you did.

Is this really an advantage? Why is (do you think) leftie better because I think i could do it.. just curious.
I am a right handed softball player and that is my primary sport (soon to be reaplaced i think ) but if I tried out a left handed weapon and i think i can do it either way then who knows...... I'll have to decide when lessons start.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Originally Posted by sopranosrbetter

Is this really an advantage? Why is (do you think) leftie better because I think i could do it.. just curious.
I am a right handed softball player and that is my primary sport (soon to be reaplaced i think ) but if I tried out a left handed weapon and i think i can do it either way then who knows...... I'll have to decide when lessons start.

If you look at the population, lefties are, what, less than 10%? In the opening rounds of a fencing tournament, they are probably 10% to 20%. In the finals, they tend to be closer to 50% or more (of course depending on the level of the tournament and the demographics, etc.). Most fencers learn to fence against right handed fencers. When presented with a leftie, the orientation of the target area is different, and this presents a whole new problem to them. On the other hand, leftie fencers fence against righties all the time, and are quite good at it. The result is an advantage for the leftie in most cases in local tournaments where the experience level is a little lower than at a national or international level. I know of more than one right handed individual who has fenced as a leftie just for this advantage. Now my six year old daughter wants to start fencing. She's a gifted athlete (soccer, gymnastics) who happens to be right-handed, but I'm considering starting her as a leftie fencer.

[noodle]

Originally Posted by sopranosrbetter

Is this really an advantage? Why is (do you think) leftie better because I think i could do it.. just curious.
I am a right handed softball player and that is my primary sport (soon to be reaplaced i think ) but if I tried out a left handed weapon and i think i can do it either way then who knows...... I'll have to decide when lessons start.

target area, where the weapon is held, and therefore the normal reactions are different. fencing someone left handed is just different, and different can mean difficult when you're not used to it.

[sopranosrbetter]

Wow! looks like I'm gonna have to Lean Leftie then! for all the disadvantages life has given me (speaking of course of those stupid chair desks that come out on the right side...im in college.. i hate it), I think you've convinced me to at least try leftie..

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by sopranosrbetter

Wow! looks like I'm gonna have to Lean Leftie then! for all the disadvantages life has given me (speaking of course of those stupid chair desks that come out on the right side...im in college.. i hate it), I think you've convinced me to at least try leftie..

Dude...I just noticeyour screenname....is it a reference to the TV show or to drum corps??

[sopranosrbetter]

Neither.... I am a Vocal Music student and I am a Soprano... so I guess that would make me a Dudette. I am studying to be a Music teacher and use sports as a get away from all music all the time... I almost live at the music building and the people there are like crazy. They practice their instruments 24/7 and then sleep in the extra time... it's ridiculous.
I do LOVE Drum Corps though... I wish I was still a Drum Major then I'd audition...

[WordRider]

Welcome to FND Goodluck at it in the near future!

WordRider