Buying Equipment on-line

[longs]

Where's the best place (value, quality, variety) to buy equipment on-line? Blade, Fencing Post, Blue Gauntlet, Santelli?

[D'Artagnan1673]

Hi,

try using the search button. Just type in equipment and you will get many threads about people's preference for fencing equipment.

Personally, I mainly do business with Triplette Competition Arms and The Fencing Post. I may be doing more business with the Fencing Post as I handled an Ultralight Epee two nights ago and was shocked at how much lighter it was compared to my TCA epee.

If you don't have much money or prefer going cheap, shop TCA for most anything. They have very good low-end uniforms and masks. TCA uses the best blades in the world, Blaise Freres. The Fencing Post has better equipment but at a higher price. Still, you can buy Uhlmann uniforms and weapons for 20% cheaper than you can from say American Fencing.

For gloves, I prefer the Santelli Deerskin 3 weapon glove. I use a French grip and I find the Santelli gives a better and more comfortable feel than the popular Uhlmann and Allstar gloves.

For the best variety, shop <a href="http://www.amfence.com," target="_blank">www.amfence.com,</a> <a href="http://www.triplette.com." target="_blank">www.triplette.com.</a> They both carry a good variety of masks and weapons.

[Emfuser]

<a href="http://www.uhlmann-fechtsport.de/inhalt_e.htm" target="_blank">http://www.uhlmann-fechtsport.de/inhalt_e.htm</a>

[desolationdiva]

The type of equipment that's best for you (and the place that you should shop for it) really depends on your own personal preference and fencing style. You need to know what exactly you're looking for. Are you looking for cheap training equipment, equipment for local competitions, national competitions, or the top of the line stuff that can be worn to world cups?

In my opinion, the best (and most popular) brands of fencing equipment are Uhlmann and Allstarr (last I heard they were actually owned by the same company). These uniforms are great, generally fit well, and look good (some stuff can make you look kind of silly). Plus, they last well...I have an Uhlmann FIE jacket that I bought 10 years ago, and (though it looks work), it still works as a practice jacket. If you are not going to compete in world cups, get the cheaper 350N Uhlmann or Allstar Jacket and Knickers...they're generally lighter, they look just as cool, and they're much cheaper. The Hungarian brand, PBT is another great (but a little bit cheaper) brand. If you're not interested in spending this much money and you want a jacket that is cheaper but not quit as cool, blade makes some inexpensive but good stuff.

I would definitely disagree with the above posting where "D'Artagnan1673" recommended buying a French grip. Yuck! If you know for sure that you prefer a French grip, then go for it, but if not...AVOID It! Try a pistol grip (Vesconti (sp?) is generally the most popular, and I think it helps with point control.

Finally, make sure you have a bag to carry your new equipment. There are plenty of bags to choose from, and there's no need to get the expensive ones...just make sure you get one that is largish (so you can stuff all your stuff into it). In terms of blades, you might want to call the companies...and tell them whether you prefer light, bendy, flicky, stiff, etc.

My favorite companies, in no particular order, are The Fencing Post, Blade, PBT, American Fencing, and Blue Gauntlet (which is Chinese company w/ some of the cheapest and best deals). I would recommend getting an idea of what you want, and then looking up the equipment on several of the vendor's websites...until you find the best/cheapest stuff. You can find an extensive list of vendors and their websites under the "info for members section" on the USFA's main website: <a href="http://www.usfencing.org." target="_blank">www.usfencing.org.</a>
Good luck with the equipment search, and happy fencing.

[D'Artagnan1673]

[quote]Originally posted by desolationdiva:
<strong>
I would definitely disagree with the above posting where "D'Artagnan1673" recommended buying a French grip. Yuck! If you know for sure that you prefer a French grip, then go for it, but if not...AVOID It! Try a pistol grip (Vesconti (sp?) is generally the most popular, and I think it helps with point control.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Go back and re-read my post:


For gloves, I prefer the Santelli Deerskin 3 weapon glove. I use a French grip and I find the Santelli gives a better and more comfortable feel than the popular Uhlmann and Allstar gloves.

Upon furthur inspection, you will find that I was actually recommending a Santelli 3 Weapon glove. Although the Santelli glove does not have the long life that the synthetic Uhlmann's do, I find the feel of the glove to be much better when using a French grip. I wrap my grips in tennis racket tape and that material grips easily with the Santelli glove.

[desolationdiva]

Sorry, D'Artagnan1673, I clearly misunderstood you. I've never tried the Santelli Deerskin 3 weapon glove. I generally avoid leather gloves because they become rather stiff and nasty as they wear and you sweat in them. My favorite gloves are the Uhlmann and Allstar washable...they're great and long lasting. But to each his or her own. Have a good day, and happy fencing.

[ScorpionDevil]

From what I know:
Allstar USA - Nice brand, good lames, jackets, FIE stuff, and masks
American Fencers Supply - Lots of differ stuff to choose from, but their stuff are kind of expensive
Blade Fencing Equipment Inc - company own by Stan, always mess up your orders
Blue Gauntlet Fencing Gear Inc - Nice stuff, good price, and their stuff last long
FencePBT.com Inc - good quality stuff, nice service, price are ok
FenceSmart - another of Stan's company, also will mess up your orders
George Santelli Inc - good quality gear
Physical Chess, Inc - own by Stan's son, also will mess up your orders
The Fencing Post - good foils, price are ok, e-mail orders 20% off
Triplette Competition Arms (TCA) - very nice blades, great price, one of the best company in US
Zivkovic Modern Equipment Inc - nice company, price are rather expensive

Above are info might not be 100% correct

[D'Artagnan1673]

[quote]Originally posted by desolationdiva:
<strong>Sorry, D'Artagnan1673, I clearly misunderstood you. I've never tried the Santelli Deerskin 3 weapon glove. I generally avoid leather gloves because they become rather stiff and nasty as they wear and you sweat in them. My favorite gloves are the Uhlmann and Allstar washable...they're great and long lasting. But to each his or her own. Have a good day, and happy fencing.</strong><hr></blockquote>


No problem I have to agree with you on the stiffness of the leather gloves. Mine is starting to get that way after a month of fencing. I think I have toxic sweat or something. I've fenced with my Uhlmann for several months and its still in great condition, I just don't get the feel with it that I do with my Santelli. Perhaps I should try the new "Champion" Uhlmann glove they've come out with.

[oiuyt]

ScorpionDevil- AllstarUSA is ALSO a Stan company.

While I have in the past had troubles with both PC and Blade both in order accuracy and quality, they HAVE worked to fix the shipping errors. I've similarly had problems with shipping accuracy from Triplette and other vendors as well, this certainly is NOT limited to Stan's companies.

Plus Blade has Justin.... that's gotta be a plus.

Blade (and it's various other related incarnations) are what it is... a source for low-cost equipment where you get what you pay for. They tend to be just about the cheapest equipment out there, but it's not going to be top quality.

Cuurently my team orders most of our equipment from Germany, the rest of it (we still use french-style electrics) currently comes from Blade. My personal gear is a mix of things, mostly from Uhlmann except for my sabres which I get from BG (I just like how they handle, how the grips feel, etc.).

Overall I'd say that if you're looking for low cost Blade is the lowest most of the time. For only a little bit more, and for the best cost/value ratio I'd suggest Triplette. For high quality go with Uhlmann which you can get anywhere so shop around for price (if you want epee/foil blades the Triplette branded blades are the same BF blades that Uhlmann uses but at a lower cost).

-B

[D'Artagnan1673]

If you are looking for FIE equipment, shop The Fencing Post. They have had a VERY long sale on their FIE gear. Uhlmann World Cup for 170, World Cup Knickers 100, FIE Mask 135.

The only way you can get cheaper is to order overseas.

[longs]

Thanks for all of the advice!

[Niceguy4186]

I tried to order a starter set from blade-fencing.com, but i had question, and called them up, i had a very hard time understanding them(learn some english) and from what i was able to understand, they were extremely rude. So ordered my started set (deluxe foil set)from BG, i absoluly love there blades. So light and flexable... the pistol grip i got looked kinda gimp, but it's extremely light and it work well. I don't care for the mask at all, it's like a vinal and your sweat just kinda pools (ewww), when ever you get hit in the head, there is a big ringing sound that actully hurts the ears, and the wire mess is curved at to sharp of an angle, it really interferes with the view. the jacket was good. They shipped everything out in a very timely manner, and i was happy. (except for the mask)
I ordered some stuff for a friend of mine from triplette (he needed to use a credit card), the down side is you can't order off the net, you have to call. but they have great customer servous. over all he was very very happy with them
I also ordered a new mask off the Bizmark-hosting thing-ma-jig off e-bay. the guy was willing to work with me, after the action, i asked if i could get a foil to, and he threw on in for only 17$ more. when the box came, it came with phyical chess tape around it... aka Bizmark-hosting thing-ma-jig off e-bay = Physical Chess
The mask is very nice while the blade, is very stiff and heavy (don't get it)
I might try out a few other vendors, but i think i'm going to stick with triplette from now on

[Purple Fencer]

Ohh, Ohhh!!!! Try me!!! I sell Uhlmann primarily, but also some France-Lames.

[lochinvar]

I also would like to add my endorsement for Sam (HOMfencing, above).

His service was excellent, his prices are competative, and his equipment is comparable to anything else I've seen.

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>I also would like to add my endorsement for Sam (HOMfencing, above).

His service was excellent, his prices are competative, and his equipment is comparable to anything else I've seen.</strong><hr></blockquote>

[Inquartata]

And he probably offers a discount if you order it in purple...