Which Equipment Supplier??

[aj5utt1]

New to the site (today) and the sport so apologies if this has been covered before. I (and some other newbies at the club) are looking for our first kit so we can hand the club kit back and are confused!

We all fence foil (electric and steam). I have been in touch with Leon Paul, Allstar (&) Uhlmann, FWF, Duellist and PBT (today) and also looked at Jiang. The club starter kit is all Leon Paul.

Does anyone have any views on whether any of the above should be avoided? Or any suggestions generally? As a rough guide the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive is over £100 (or approx $200). The kit we are getting is front zip jacket(350n);plastron(800n); glove; mask(350n bib);socks, breeches (350n), foil and bodywire, and a bag.

Sorry it's a wide topic but thoughts would be appreciated!!

[Eejit]

www.absolutefencinggear.com

Best reseller in the US imho. Now what you pick from there is another thing. Absolute has nice starter kits that are pretty affordable and of good quality for beginner fencers. I upgraded my kit after about a year and a half of fencing to mostly FIE stuff, but that was because I had learned how to treat it nicely (indeed there were some incidents I am glad occurred with cheap stuff rather than FIE stuff during my very beginning times). Absolute, coincidentally, has some of the best rates on nicer kit as well.

[tkexi991]

www.absolutefencinggear.com

Best reseller in the US imho. Now what you pick from there is another thing. Absolute has nice starter kits that are pretty affordable and of good quality for beginner fencers. I upgraded my kit after about a year and a half of fencing to mostly FIE stuff, but that was because I had learned how to treat it nicely (indeed there were some incidents I am glad occurred with cheap stuff rather than FIE stuff during my very beginning times). Absolute, coincidentally, has some of the best rates on nicer kit as well.

He's in the UK.

You are fine with LP for beginner kit, it is a little expensive but has a great reputation... At this early stage in the game, the various differences between clothing and weapons etc. are too nuanced for you to notice.

[KD5MDK]

Get 2 foils and 2 bodywires. You'll need them to compete, and it will save time a practice when one goes down.

[Nmfencer]

I would go with either Leon Paul (expensive, but great quality and a stellar customer satisfaction record) or FWF. I'm not sure what starter kits FWF has, but they used to make all the metal parts for Uhlmann until Uhlmann started outsourcing. I can not personally attest to the clothes, but I have heard good things. All in all, I'd have to say Leon Paul. Their club equipment is designed to fit a varied range of fencers. They also are very inventive, adding alot of cool innovations to the sport.

Hope my 2 cents helped.

[aj5utt1]

Thanks for input everyone Very helpful info.

[fatfencer]

incredibly affordable starter gear. Try there!!!


FF
www.tca.com

[KD5MDK]

That's a lot shorter than most of your posts.

[fatfencer]

Most of my posts are about something that I know much better than you know breathing. Sometimes brevity is good, but usually not.

AS for TCA.. everyone knows I like their gear and that I've never had a bad experience. They've mis-shipped stuff from time to time. But by and large they are a great company.

I hope they continue to be.

Fatfencer

[OMGsabre]

the fencingpost has really good prices, and great service. i get all my stuff there. (i also live 20 minutes from it, but i would buy from them even if i lived on the other side of the country)

thefencingpost.com

[SJCFU#2]

the fencingpost has really good prices, and great service. i get all my stuff there. (i also live 20 minutes from it, but i would buy from them even if i lived on the other side of the country)

Would you still feel that way if you lived on the other side of the ocean that lies beyond the other side of the county?

As tkexi991 previously noted, the OP is located in the UK so US vendors may not necessarily be his first choice.

[Asprin]

Thanks for input everyone Very helpful info.

Try asking on www.fencingforum.com/forum its run by LP so is a wee bit biased (towards them) but it is based in the UK and probably more help.

My club mainly uses Allstar kit, since its available locally. Also try looking at bladesbrand.com they sell good priced 350N kit and they do 800N plastrons.


Asprin