Grey/black marks left on jacket from opponent's blade(s)?

[Redblade]

My fencing jacket ends up with a lot of dark streaks on my primary arm and occasionally across my torso after a night fencing at the club. I noticed the other day when a particularly nasty mark immediately appeared after my friend's attack on my upper arm. I'm not much of a metallurgist, but I'd have to guess it's some form of oxidation from the weapons?

I used to think it had something to do with the sheer amount of moisture my body produced -- I sweat up a storm and soak the jacket when we're fencing for hours without a break. I dunno, maybe it does. I don't see a lot of others being left with the same stipes on their jackets.

The dark grey marks are hard to remove and leave longterm stains. Even if I get home right away and wash my jacket, I'm still left with a dirty appearance that keeps building up over time. What are your ideas?

[Inquartata]

I suspect your opponent oils his blades.

[pokey]

For what it's worth, when my clubmates hit me with rusty blades the mark is more a reddish brown. I'll go with Inq that the grey/black sounds like oil.

Ask your friend to clean his blade before fencing you?

[Rick Shellhouse]

Or coat the last 6 inches of your blade with vasoline....




wait..thats how you catch someone paryring with thier unarmed hand....

rep points to anyone who remembers when THAT happened...lol..



Rick

[JMcC]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I suspect your opponent oils his blades.

I've seen blades come out of their shipping tube with a thin, and somewhat viscous protectant. Many fencers (some vendors too) do not clean this off before assembly/use. I think this is what you're "receiving".
I suspect you'll need to launder with something meant to cut oil and grease.

[Redblade]

Excellent feedback. Thanks all.
I didn't want to make a fuss, but I guess I'll ask my friend(s) in the club to wipe off weapons every so often.

[Applesauce and Foils]

I wondered what that was!