Mask fit

[archer1960]

I'm looking to buy my first mask. I fence epee and I'm not a beginner, but have always borrowed club masks. Now I'm looking to get one of my own, but need some help on how different brands fit. I have a large head (7-5/8 American hat size), 24" (61cm) circumference, but it's oval-shaped, long front-to-back and top-to-chin, but fairly narrow side-to-side.

Does anybody make masks that run narrower than average for a given overall size? That would fit me a lot better, and not move around so much during a match. I don't want a beginner mask, and would prefer not to have to spend for an FIE-rated mask, but could if that were my only option.

Thanks for any suggestions!
D

[brtech]

I think an Uhlmann will fit you. You will almost assuredly need to adjust the fit by "squishing".

Please reconsider your decision not to invest in an FIE mask. It's your head. You only get one. Every experienced armorer I know pleads with people who are purchasing masks to get an FIE mask.

[JEC]

My preference in FIE Masks would be in the following order:

FWF, LP, Absolute, BG, Allstar/Uhlmann, PBT, Negrini,

Keep in mind that Allstar/Uhlmann started outsourcing the mask shell to China starting some time in 2005.

[magic_moose]

Like you, I have what is known in the trade as a "long oval" head. It is a 7 1/2 hat size. A year ago I bought an LP FIE comfort fit mask in the large size. I have been incredibly happy with it. It has also stood up well to many hard epee hits.

[remise]

Please don't buy other than FIE....unless, of course, you want to purchase a new mask every year or so.

[leftyboy]

I think an Uhlmann will fit you. You will almost assuredly need to adjust the fit by "squishing".

I'm going to guess squishing has to do with breaking in the mask to fit your own head shape?

If not, enlighten me.

[KD5MDK]

My preference in FIE Masks would be in the following order:

FWF, LP, Absolute, BG, Allstar/Uhlmann, PBT, Negrini,

Keep in mind that Allstar/Uhlmann started outsourcing the mask shell to China starting some time in 2005.

Any particular reason you put PBT below Absolute and BG? Certainly if you're looking at "Price/Performance" those two are outstanding contenders, but I am curious if there was any other reason.

[Atreus]

how do cheaper fie offerings (like absolute and BlueG) compare to other more expensive counterparts and also to expensive non-fie masks... in other words why are they so cheap???

[Craig]

We get a lot of calls from people on this. I finally broke down and shot a quick video - a lot of people measure around their head as if for a hat instead of vertically.

[YOUTUBE]cgfO0SFlPP0[/YOUTUBE]

[TBean]

Spend the money - go FIE - its your head. Also, in the long run, if you care for the mask properly it will last you a great deal longer then a less expensive one.

My first Ulhman FIE mask made it through 13 years of training and competing with only a tiny bit if surface rusk. I finally replaced it because the inside shredded not because it failed a punch test.

I like the Ulhman - I also have an oval shaped face - and find it fits well. Several others at my club like the LP as well. When I think of "squishing" it means you can compress the sides of the mask a little so it does not move on your head so much.

[brtech]

When I think of "squishing" it means you can compress the sides of the mask a little so it does not move on your head so much.

Yah, that's it. You hold your palms on the mask about where the band meets the bib and press together. That will make the mask narrower side to side and longer top to bottom. Do that BEFORE you adjust the metal tongue on the back.

[fencerbill]

Now nobody seems to believe me. But it works.

If you want to make a mask narrower (side to side) or shorter (top to bottom), do the following:

Put the mask on a chair, sit on it and bounce up and down. You have much more control than squeezing.

You may have to adjust the size (weight) of the person doing the adjusting until you get it right.

[archer1960]

Does anybody know which manufacturer makes a mask for a head that is rather oval-shaped? Long front-to-back and top-to-chin, but rather narrow side-to-side? Most of the masks I've used wobble a lot because of the extra room on the sides.

D

[DangerMouse]

Prieur and Leon Paul. Negrini and Allstar are also a little narrower than Uhlmann/Absolute/BG/Cartel/etc

[brtech]

Wassamatter, you didn't like the answer the first time you asked:
Mask fit
so you decided to ask again? You expecting a different answer this time?

[archer1960]

I'm sorry about the multiple posts; I got errors 3 different times when I tried to post last week, and didn't see the previous post when I looked today. Please forgive me!!

D

[Chuck F.]

Now nobody seems to believe me. But it works. . .
Put the mask on a chair, sit on it and bounce up and down. . .

You're right. I don't believe you!

(Of course, considering the source, I really really WANT to believe, but I would have to try with a few other peoples' masks first. People I don't necessarily like very much.)

[Chuck F.]

Oh, and to answer the question, I am a fanatic for Leon Paul FIE masks. I plan to be buried in one of mine.

On the other hand, as for fit, I seem to remember that Prieur tends to run the narrowest.