Q & A Thread

[Craig]

Just what it looks like.

If you're a fencing parent, post a question to this thread and we'll try to find a good answer for you. Frequently asked questions will be pulled into the first post here as a mini-FAQ or into a Parent's FAQ later on.

Craig

[Lucifer]

My kids want to fence, and I'd like to get them into fencing. Only problem is, I'm broke. Foam swords are cheap.

So, my questions:

1. Are foam swords good equipment to train with? Keeping in mind that eventually we'll have to provide real gear anyway...

2. Are foam swords actually safe enough that you don't need a mask, jacket, or glove?

I still see foam swords as useful, even when we have all the gear, because then the kids can fence each other and practice with less supervision than the full monty would require, I'm just trying to figure out how to prioritize this...

[oiuyt]

1) No, they operate completely differently than real (real in the sense of sporting, not in the live steel sense) blades. They have minimal relevance to fencing.

2) Yes. And they're safer than other substitutes such as the cardboard rolls from wrapping paper, or fallen limbs from trees, that your children might otherwise select.

-B

[dcmdale]

My kids want to fence, and I'd like to get them into fencing. Only problem is, I'm broke. Foam swords are cheap.

So, my questions:

1. Are foam swords good equipment to train with? Keeping in mind that eventually we'll have to provide real gear anyway...

I think virtually every fencing parent has a couple of foam swords around and I know of one quite good program that uses foam swords for a couple of very specific purposes. However, in general your kids will not be successful in performing anything beyond perhaps the basic lunge with a foam sword. You can't perform beats and parries because they don't have the structural integrity. Actually, you can't even get point control with them in anything more complex than a straight lunge.

2. Are foam swords actually safe enough that you don't need a mask, jacket, or glove?

Yes. Although older kids can swing them hard enough to leave minor welts.

I still see foam swords as useful, even when we have all the gear, because then the kids can fence each other and practice with less supervision than the full monty would require, I'm just trying to figure out how to prioritize this...

No, for the reasons above. What they *are* good for is when other kids come over and want to "fence" because your kid does, you have something that is reasonably safe that you can haul out.

[Phincer]

And they're safer than other substitutes such as the cardboard rolls from wrapping paper, or fallen limbs from trees, that your children might otherwise select.

-B

I'd say go to a club, use their equipment, give the kids a few lessons. Then get the full kit-if the kids lose interest, you should have no problem re-selling the equipment to another family. The first thing you should buy is the mask (for safety and hygeine reasons).

The cost of equipment is less than what you'll spend on the lawsuit when the neighbor kid gets scratched, sliced or skewered from the weapons found in nature in your back yard or manufactured by kids wanting to 'swordfight'.

My DS and his pals made their own from PVC pipe (splintered to form a nice point) and 1X2 lumber (the broadswords with pointy ends). I banned the equipment, found an instructor, and three kids started fencing. Two are still active almost 4 years later.

Edit: Foam swords, when belted across the face, can do eye damage. I see no reason for them-they are a sense of false security. Fencers are made to wear masks even when using the foam swords-gets them in the habit of having a mask on whenever they have a "weapon" in their hands.

[oiuyt]

I'd say go to a club, use their equipment, give the kids a few lessons. Then get the full kit-if the kids lose interest, you should have no problem re-selling the equipment to another family.

The cost of equipment is less than what you'll spend on the lawsuit when the neighbor kid gets scratched, sliced or skewered from the weapons found in nature in your back yard or manufactured by kids wanting to 'swordfight'.

Mmmm, seems my comment regarding "found" objects as swords was taken a bit too seriously. I need to remember to use smilies a bit more.

-B

[Phincer]

[QUOTE=oiuyt;549174

Mmmm, seems my comment regarding "found" objects as swords was taken a bit too seriously. I need to remember to use smilies a bit more.

-B[/QUOTE]

Oh it was taken lightly, but I had a Real Life experience with found objects!

They were so cute making them, and they were outside playing which warmed the cockles of my maternal heart...until DS came down to dinner, hair over one side of the face, hiding a lovely 6 inch scratch down the side of his face, very close to his eye...I could only imagine what would have happened if it had been a certain neighbor kid instead of my own. End of found and manufactured weapons, beginning of fencing.

We've been fortunate to get clear signals from certain parents that they are of a litigous nature...so hence the warning to others. Make sure you know who the parents are as much as you know who the kids are... which will probably be fodder for a Whole New Thread.

Cheers!

[Mo]

End of found and manufactured weapons, beginning of fencing.

We've been fortunate to get clear signals from certain parents that they are of a litigous nature...so hence the warning to others. Make sure you know who the parents are as much as you know who the kids are... which will probably be fodder for a Whole New Thread.

Cheers!

My kids practically had a cult of kids who would use PVC pipe,duct tape and foam weapons. Some kids just couldn't handle it. Some could. It lasted for a while but then that too sort of just stopped.
One time they were wacking each other in the park. I was the AIC (adult in charge.) with a bunch of older kids.
I was sitting in the shade reading a book while they all merrily wacked and suddenly this policeman popped out of the bushes. The police had gotten a call that "a bunch of girls were hitting boys with knives, clubs and swords. They are killing them..."
The friendly police officer said to call next time and let them know they were going to be at that park. We gave him some nice home made cookies.
I thought it was funny.
Momster

[Linnie]

This may seem like a really stupid question but what is the easiest/best way to put my son's name on his uniform?

Thanks,

Lin

[chefencer]

If he's fencing foil and sabre, the common practice is to stencil the lame. There are vendors who will stencil the name on his lame for $20 at a big (like Nationals or NAC) tournament. I believe if you stencil his knickers then he should be good to go for all three weapons. You can also get nice quality name patch that can be sewn on from Tim Loomis: http://www.yeoldearmourer.com/.
I was pleased with mine I got from him.

[Phincer]

If he's fencing foil and sabre, the common practice is to stencil the lame. There are vendors who will stencil the name on his lame for $20 at a big (like Nationals or NAC) tournament. I believe if you stencil his knickers then he should be good to go for all three weapons. You can also get nice quality name patch that can be sewn on from Tim Loomis: http://www.yeoldearmourer.com/.
I was pleased with mine I got from him.

Just remember that if you wait to have it done at Nationals or a NAC, you might have to leave it for a few hours or overnight.

[4qtrs]

I have seen some that have the name hand painted on, but if you are going to a NAC I would get it done there. Then next time you order the next Lame or knickers ask the vendor to do it before they send it.

[teacup]

I have seen some that have the name hand painted on, but if you are going to a NAC I would get it done there. Then next time you order the next Lame or knickers ask the vendor to do it before they send it.

Though it can be hard to do if equipment is purchased at a tournament, Marx Enterprises recommends washings jackets and knickers before stenciling on the name.

[foildad]

I have seen some that have the name hand painted on, but if you are going to a NAC I would get it done there. Then next time you order the next Lame or knickers ask the vendor to do it before they send it.

If you are going to do this, you need to be absolutely sure that the garment will fit properly; you can't return it with a name stenciled on it.

[Nmfencer]

Just remember that if you wait to have it done at Nationals or a NAC, you might have to leave it for a few hours or overnight.

Nah. Marx Enterprises does a really professional job. Mine had to dry only for an hour, so I was ready to fence when the time came.

Also, I believe Pro Printwear can embroider names on the jackets. This won't do you much good unless your son is planning on not growing. It's about $60. I got and embroidery job on my FIE jacket, as I planned to have it for a while.

[Phincer]

Nah. Marx Enterprises does a really professional job. Mine had to dry only for an hour, so I was ready to fence when the time came.

Also, I believe Pro Printwear can embroider names on the jackets. This won't do you much good unless your son is planning on not growing. It's about $60. I got and embroidery job on my FIE jacket, as I planned to have it for a while.

Well, there was a huge pile of lames and my DH had to leave his lame overnight. Had nothing to do with drying time. It was demand.

$60 to embroider???? Yikes!!! I paid $20 each to have a four letter last name done on DH and DS's. But these were jackets that we had done locally-not waiting until the last minute to buy at the venue and then have embroidered.

[Nmfencer]

Well, there was a huge pile of lames and my DH had to leave his lame overnight. Had nothing to do with drying time. It was demand.

$60 to embroider???? Yikes!!! I paid $20 each to have a four letter last name done on DH and DS's. But these were jackets that we had done locally-not waiting until the last minute to buy at the venue and then have embroidered.

Yea. My last name is 4 letters too... and it was expensive. I don't reccomend it for anything less than an FIE jacket. But it looks nice, it doesn't fade, and it will last forever.

[Phincer]

Yea. My last name is 4 letters too... and it was expensive. I don't reccomend it for anything less than an FIE jacket. But it looks nice, it doesn't fade, and it will last forever.

Oh yeah I agree-and FYI to all those out there getting jackets embroidered-use a fill stitch instead of a satin stitch. A little more expensive, but as NM says-will last forever.

[Cookeit]

Lucky 4 letter last namers, mine is 10!!

[NNR]

My daughter goes through an FIE jacket at least once a year. She isn't growing but does fences a lot - 5 times a week and goes to 12-15 competitions a year - and parts of the jacket start to wear thin and it isn't safe. I wouldn't recommend embroidery on equipment for a competitive fencer.