Prieur masks

[qatet]

A question inspired by an idle comment in another thread* - does Prieur still make masks? Last year around this time I spend considerable effort trying to find a Prieur non-sabre mask in my size and came up with zip. Ended up with a nice new Negrini mask (which I luuuuurve, btw), but couldn't shake the question about Prieur. Anybody know?

* Wheee! Look at me avoiding thread drift!

[SJCFU#2]

Prieur still lists masks on their web site
(http://www.prieur-sports.com).

[CvilleFencer]

Zivkovic is the only US vendor I know that carries them regularly, but they do carry them. I gotta say I don't get all the hype about Prieur masks. I think I am the only person on the planet with this opinion, but here goes:

Prieur masks are very durable. Fine, they last a long time, but they are not very comfortable at least for me. The bib material is a very stiff almost plastic material, the padding on the inside is a little thin. Well, I should say it ends up a little thin. At first it is fine but it will compact down with use. The Velcro and elastic on the mask sucks horribly and is not easily replaceable. The masks seem to run toward the long thin face style as well. There is no anti-microbial liner, nothing to pull out and wash, not much that can be adjusted short of bending the mesh into shape, no zip off bib. In short, it is what all basic masks should be. A well made, safe mask but with some issues as far as comfort, innovation and durability of fittings. Except it is really expensive, at least from Zivkovic.

I freely admit I have been spoiled by my LP mask. I had a Prieur before it because of all the great things people said. It was alright. As a matter of fact, it reminds me a lot of the Blue Gauntlet "Olympic" mask. Not very comfortable, the strap is all stretched out, etc. It is not even a popular choice in our club loaner gear (which is where most of my old gear goes to live) since it is not very comfortable and is hard for people with glasses to get on and off. I think maybe 20 years ago it was tops in masks and the rest is just brand inertia carrying its rep along as king of masks.

So anyway, if you want a good sturdy mask that offers little comfort, bells or whistles it is great as it will last forever. However, if you want a little more look at some of the LP masks. Just as strong on the mesh plus lots of fun extras depending on your budget.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

The prieur pretty much IS a barebones mask, hardass mask. I guess thats its downfall and its strength. I'll list a few good things about it.

1. Its very durable.
2. The bib is harder than any other bib on the market. this makes neck hits not hurt too much.
3. The forehead piece does have an adjustable velcro thing, so you can get your head closer or further from the mesh.
4. The inside is plasticy, like a ziplock bag. This is good because the sweat just runs off, sort of. It stays dry.
5. The mask anchors deep into your chin, keeping it secure. Some masks just kind of hold onto the tip of your chin, but this one really gets deep in there.
6. Theres a good deal of space between the bib and the front of the mesh, which means that if you get bell punched, you're not getting a waffle print on your face from the mesh.

[Bran]

Prieur masks are expensive, it's true. They are also very expensive for us to import.

However, you get the velcro adjustable straps on the forehead, which is the only mask in the world with such a feature.

Secondly, the mask is likely going to last you 10+ years.

And really, you're paying just a few more bucks than the average rate for this kind of quality that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Just ask anyone who's been in the business/fencing for the last 10-20 years.

Bran

[Purple Fencer]

However, you get the velcro adjustable straps on the forehead, which is the only mask in the world with such a feature.

not if I ever get my mask to come out (if I can get the mesh strength issue resolved)

Secondly, the mask is likely going to last you 10+ years.

And really, you're paying just a few more bucks than the average rate for this kind of quality that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Just ask anyone who's been in the business/fencing for the last 10-20 years.

Bran

I agree here. My foil/epee mask is a Prieur....and replaced an earlier one...definitely got my money's worth, since it's still going strong! *says in bad Russian accent* Is strong like tank!

[CvilleFencer]

Prieur masks are expensive, it's true. They are also very expensive for us to import.

I am sorry Bran, I just read over my post and realized it could be taken as saying that Zivkovic was overpriced on their Prieur masks. That was not my intention at all. I am well aware that Prieur like many Euro makers does not offer much in the way of a wholesale for their vendors and the price is not at all out of line with what a US fencer would pay including customs, shipping, currency exchange, etc. Probably works out to be cheaper in the long run and a LOT less hassle. Also an english (New England accent aside... ) speaking customer service department is a hard thing to put a value on!

[CvilleFencer]

Oh I hear you Purple, Bran and DFP. They are solid, long lasting masks and are well above any of the Chinese ones I have seen and more durable (although heavier) than the Duelist/Uhlmann/Allstar/FWF/Gardoni masks.

However I think that Negrini, Leon Paul and at least some batches of PBT equal them in durability and are more comfortable. I know a lot of old(er anyway) timers swear by Negrini masks and the last a very, very long time. But so do Leon Paul and Negrini. Hell for that matter I have some Costello masks laying around that club that I am pretty sure could stop small caliber ammo, but that does not mean I look forward to wearing as they are not very comfy and fit a bit odd.

But yeah, not arguing that the Prieur masks are not good. I just am arguing with what seems to be a general assumption that you can't have "durable" along with comfortable and innovative, IE you can't do better than a Prieur mask. I think with a couple of the manufacturers around nowadays, you can have it all and for the same or less money.

[qatet]

Good to see that they are still offered. For the record, the mask that I replaced last year was a 1993 FIE mask that had be used hard (well, hard for foil, not epee), for a solid ten years. It was wonderful.

I haven't used many masks in my life. That Prieur mask was actually my first mask, from when I was in 8th grade. The comments about other masks may be true, but from my experience with Prieur, I just couldn't stand that ring of padding that sticks out around the face that is common on so many other masks. I chose the Negrini because it didn't have that wretched ring of padding either. I have heard lovely things about LP. When my Negrini dies, I may check them out. Or I may go back to Prieur or stick with Negrini.