Uhlmann FIE Mask 2007... Please Help!

[Nmfencer]

I recently bought the Uhlmann FIE mask, 2007. It didn't have the FIE tag on the outside of the bib. I contacted the vendor that I bought it from, and they said Uhlmann is not putting those on their masks. Is this true, or did I get ripped off?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Is there an FIE stamp/print on the metally 'thing' in the neck..? My (Allstar) mask has an FIE tag on the side of the bib, but mine's a 2004 so it could be they changed their routines...

...though I'll have to say it sounds unlikely. I think you're right about being suspicious. Hope someone with a newer (Uhlmann) mask can help you out, comparing.

[sionnach]

Contact Uhlmann themselves directly?

[GypsyScot]

I recently bought the Uhlmann FIE mask, 2007. It didn't have the FIE tag on the outside of the bib. I contacted the vendor that I bought it from, and they said Uhlmann is not putting those on their masks. Is this true, or did I get ripped off?

Ulhmann and Allstar both stopped putting it there this year, it remains soley on the tongue, the answer I got was so it was easier to stencil names on the masks. I have a few 2006 masks still in stock I confused a customer the other day with 2 different years in 2 different sizes. You didn't get ripped off, well that depends on what you paid and whether it was me or not...

EDIT: Funny enough, I just checked my work email you did buy it from me, in which case I can tell you in no uncertain terms, everything is fine.

[DHCJr]

There is another reason they stopped putting the label on the bib. They were illegal and masks were being failed because the label was too big. They became advertisement.

[KD5MDK]

I wonder if there's a limit on how big you could put the letters "FIE" on a piece of equipment, or would that be considered advertising too.

[Purple Fencer]

There is another reason they stopped putting the label on the bib. They were illegal and masks were being failed because the label was too big. They became advertisement.

My problem with that is....where's the proof that it's a 1600N bib??? If someone got their hands on authentic FIE shells and put on a substandard bib, there'd e no proof.

Also, this looks to be an Uhlmann/Allstar issue only, correct??

[KD5MDK]

How is that any different than someone taking substandard shells and bibs and sewing a counterfit certification patch on? It's not like it'd be hard to duplicate.

[yeoldearmourer]

I hate to tell you all this now but according to my soucres, That Blue Galuet is now making the Uhlmann/Allstar Fie mask and other mask of there name. Plus Jimmy is also making blades for Uhlmann as well. So your better off buying Jimmy stuff which is cheaper. So if you what Euporean buy Leon Paul. at least the make there own stuff.

[Nmfencer]

Ulhmann and Allstar both stopped putting it there this year, it remains soley on the tongue, the answer I got was so it was easier to stencil names on the masks. I have a few 2006 masks still in stock I confused a customer the other day with 2 different years in 2 different sizes. You didn't get ripped off, well that depends on what you paid and whether it was me or not...

EDIT: Funny enough, I just checked my work email you did buy it from me, in which case I can tell you in no uncertain terms, everything is fine.

Well, thank you for the sale in any case. It still kinda worries me though, because the bib is made from 80% Polyester and 20% Cotton. Is that rated to be 1600n? It's making me suspicious because the jacket that I also bought from GyspsyScot (thanks again for a great sale) Is made of 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton as well, however it is not FIE rated. Can a 15% Polyester increase make it that powerful, or should I contact Uhlmann Headquarters in Germany?

[carlos]

I wonder if there's a limit on how big you could put the letters "FIE" on a piece of equipment, or would that be considered advertising too.

Yes, but that would be advertising for the FIE, and I'm sure that is just fine!

[Alex_Paul]

The content of a fabric is not what determines its strength so it will not tell you if it is FIE rated or not.

If there is a stamp on the back of an Uhlamann mask saying it is FIE then I am sure it is FIE especially if you bought it from a reliable company like Absolute Fencing.

In the long term I think that there ought to be a permant lable on the bib but at the moment this is not required by the FIE.

As someone earlier pointed out, there is nothing really to stop a company having fake badges made up saying Allstar or Leon Paul. There is also nothing to stop a company getting an item of clothing FIE approved and then making it out of a totally different and much cheaper material. A company could make a FORTUNE substituting expensive FIE material with much cheaper non FIE material and no one would know unless the FIE started doing random tests.

If you are a reseller who buys "FIE approved" clothing from a manufacturer how do you know that they are sending you is made of the correct material? Your supplier could be doing the dirty on you and it would be very hard for to find out without regularly testing what they sent you...

All interesting issues that I hadn't previously given much thought to.

[DHCJr]

Also what is to stop someone to put on a FIE approved label with a name that hasn't even been approved. In the Armory section I talked about one of our International fencers in France being required to buy a FIE mask because theirs was rejected. The mask they bought label said Le Mask which is not an approved mask. I have also seen masks with CE on the bib, but they were never approved.

Who needs to use a real name as a fake name works just as well and you don't have the real manufacturer going after them. They would probably go after someone more than the FIE.

[GypsyScot]

If there is a stamp on the back of an Uhlamann mask saying it is FIE then I am sure it is FIE especially if you bought it from a reliable company like Absolute Fencing.

Alex,
Have I ever mentioned how much I love LP gear?

[Nmfencer]

Alex,
Have I ever mentioned how much I love LP gear?

Lol, me too. You really do make great innovations to fencing.

Also, thanks for answering my questions about my new mask. It really helped to give me peace of mind.

[Alex_Paul]

Lol, me too. You really do make great innovations to fencing.

Also, thanks for answering my questions about my new mask. It really helped to give me peace of mind.

Why did you buy an uhlmann mask then?

[lemon__fresh]

yea love the saber masks with removable bib and comfort system... although the plastic tube that keeps the bib's shape does end up poking through the end of the bib rather quickly :/

[Nmfencer]

Why did you buy an uhlmann mask then?

Well, don't get me wrong, I would kill for the Contour Fit, and all the other bells and whistles I can get with your masks, but I set a budget for myself in getting my FIE gear.

I bought my jacket, knickers, and plastron from you guys. the Atlanta range, and I didn't have enough for a mask. I am currently saving up for your K-pro Epee too. Uhlmann makes good things, so I decided if I could afford it, I would buy it. Then I noticed the lack of label, and thus this thread was started. Now here we are.

[twisterfencing]

Tim,

Did not know this, but it does makes sense.

Jimmie's backers in China, Mfg's in China.


Thanks for the info:

Gary Spruill

I hate to tell you all this now but according to my soucres, That Blue Galuet is now making the Uhlmann/Allstar Fie mask and other mask of there name. Plus Jimmy is also making blades for Uhlmann as well. So your better off buying Jimmy stuff which is cheaper. So if you what Euporean buy Leon Paul. at least the make there own stuff.

[KD5MDK]

It's a big country, with a lot of factories. Not sure how many mask factories it can support, but it's probably at least 2, unless Absolute and BG buy their masks from the same place.