Left handed Knickers

[Groove007]

Is there a problem in U.S. competitions with a left hander wearing knickers that have a small logo (Blade) on the upper left leg and a back pocket on the left buttock?

[Purple Fencer]

Is there a problem in U.S. competitions with a left hander wearing knickers that have a small logo (Blade) on the upper left leg and a back pocket on the left buttock?

Nope....a manufacturer logo is expected, and the rear leg/back pocket's a logical place for one.

Did someone complain at a tournament?

[Groove007]

Have not tried them in competition yet... just thinking ahead. I noticed some FIE knickers have a left or right choice.

[Purple Fencer]

Have not tried them in competition yet... just thinking ahead. I noticed some FIE knickers have a left or right choice.

Oh..ok. The left and right thing on knickers relates to the flap over teh zipper, not the logo...similar to the zipper placement on a jacket. You're fine.

[fencerbill]

Is there a problem in U.S. competitions with a left hander wearing knickers that have a small logo (Blade) on the upper left leg and a back pocket on the left buttock?

Relatively minor factor if you fence Epee. Blade that would otherwise not score may catch in the pocket and register touch. Similarly for the zipper flap more likely to catch a blade. Neither factor has any significance in either Sabre or Foil.

If you are buying new knickers and have no limitations on what is available, you might fret about it.

I doubt anyone at any level will prevent you from fencing with them.

Fahgeddabout it.

[irishfolker]

I can't see where the fly would be a problem. It's covered by the jacket, isn't it?

I can see having the pocket on the front hip might be an issue. Like was said before, a minor one at most.

[KD5MDK]

Some knickers have a side zipper. It would matter there.

[larkmaj]

I can't see where the fly would be a problem. It's covered by the jacket, isn't it?

The blade can still slide under the jacket and get caught on the flap, increasing the risk that the blade will break, or slip into the knickers.

[MyraTrue]

My experience from having been right handed and worn left handed knickers, here's my two pieces of advice. First, as a director, I have to right to bar you from competing in the wrong-handed pair of knickers as a saftey issue, similarly to a left-handed lamee on a right handed fencer. Though I directed at a lot of lower club level events where new fencers fenced with whatever they could. So I personally wouldn't disqualify, though I know it is an issue.

As a fencer, I fenced epee in LH knickers for 2+ years and never had any problems. It's possible for a blade to catch in a front zip fly, but it didn't happen enough that I ever remember it happening. I finally sold the pair to another lefty, and now own right handed knickers in a different size (reads: I got fat )

So, I think what I really mean to say with all this is that you can most likely fence with them and suffer no dire consequences. You might try to keep your jacket closed over the knickers if you think the director might comment. It's more noticable (at least to me) if the fly opens the wrong way then the location of the pocket. Good luck!

[irishfolker]

Now that I think of it, the zipper on my knickers has a fly that covers half of the zipper from each side, not extending from one side over the whole thing. The only thing that overlaps is the velcro closure above the zipper. I think for a blade to catch on that, the attacker would have to be on the floor, extending upwards. The only other thing that indicates any sort of handedness is the hip pocket, which has been mentioned before. The fly would be equally vulnerable from either side, and it is so narrow as to pose no danger of that that I can see.