Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

XanderHal · 10-13-2007, 10:04 PM

Hey guys,

I fenced my first tournament today and I have to say, it was a blast! I made sure my weapons were all tweaked up a ready to go, but I was a bit nervous about one piece of equipment: my mask.

I bought the TCA three weapon mask quite early on in my fencing career (before I knew anything about the benefits of FIE masks etc.). After reading posts on this forum about bad mesh on some TCA masks, and the benefits of having FIE I had second thoughts about using it. I decided to try it (I feel safe fencing in it at the club) and figured if it didn't pass the punch test, I would buy a new mask at the tourney.

I DID end up having problems with the mask, but it was not what I expected. It passed the punch tests fine, and I fenced with it for about half the tournament. Near the end in one of the DE bouts a bystander pointed out that the bib seemed to be "curling up" at the bottom and posed a potential hazard for catching blades. The president agreed and we tried to adjust the bib, but not matter what we could not get it adjusted to the president's satisfaction, so I had to switch masks.

The mask looks almost brand new, and i think that it's a design flaw in the bib rather than something I did to the mask. If you look at the masks on the TCA web site, you'll see the bibs are quite large and "poofy" compared with the more rigid, pointed shape I've seen on other masks. There are lots of other reasons I've read on this forum to get a good mask, but now I finally have the dealbreaker. Guess I'll be going shopping before the next comp.

KD5MDK · 10-14-2007, 12:52 AM

You got the president to care about your mask? You must have donated a LOT to his campaigns in the past.

Tomas N · 10-14-2007, 09:52 AM

I've had the same experience with TCA masks. It's a design defect, at least in the masks that our club has that we bought 3-4 years ago. We're not using those masks much anymore since they tend to get huge dents in them on top of the bibs not laying flat.

I think the wide curly bib on the TCA masks are meant to complement the loose collar on the TCA jackets.

Tomas

XanderHal · 10-14-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

You got the president to care about your mask? You must have donated a LOT to his campaigns in the past.

I think the amount of sarcastic remarks on F.net is unmatched anywhere else on the web.

HDG · 10-14-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderHal

I think the amount of sarcastic remarks on F.net is unmatched anywhere else on the web.

It's certainly something to aspire to... But seriously, isn't "president" a rather archaic term in fencing?

XanderHal · 10-14-2007, 10:29 PM

It's what I learned at my club ("presiding" and "president"). I had no idea it was archaic. I don't mind using the word referee or whatever, I just didn't know it was appropriate.

KD5MDK · 10-14-2007, 11:44 PM

To be quite serious, I'd worry that a club/coach which uses old fashioned terms for referees might use old-fashioned ideas about right-of-way or technique.
How up to date (and keeping track of the highest levels) do you think your coach is?

On an unrelated note, I see lots of clubs with ancient, broken down masks still in use. I wish I could convince them masks are a critical thing to replace.

HDG · 10-15-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderHal

It's what I learned at my club ("presiding" and "president"). I had no idea it was archaic. I don't mind using the word referee or whatever, I just didn't know it was appropriate.

I think (somebody who knows better please correct me) that "president" pre-dated the use of "director", which pre-dated our current label "referee". The president presided over the "jury" of four judges.

What term is currently used in French?

XanderHal · 10-15-2007, 12:24 AM

Well we're just a university recreational club,i.e. coachless at the moment. I gather the old coach that was there before I started (passed away unfortunately) was quite a traditionalist, so it's probably a holdover from him. Thanks for pointing it out.

To second Tomas N, in addition to the bib problem the mesh on the mask was somewhat prone to denting and I got a few. Not a great mask and wish I had known more before I bought it. It has made me much more cautious about buying fencing gear though which is a plus.

HDG · 10-15-2007, 12:59 AM

The equipment reviews here are very helpful.

XanderHal · 10-15-2007, 01:26 AM

Agreed. F.net provides some great services. I plan on adding a review for this mask, but I'm having trouble opening the TCA mask review that already exists.

glowstix · 10-18-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderHal

Hey guys,

I fenced my first tournament today and I have to say, it was a blast!

yeah i heard you were there and did enough for a first time out. going to the next one up in edmonton??? i probably might.

btw,you should check out the new LP masks from jim (removable bib, quite expensive though,

). i think LP gear is the best IN THE WORLD (at least for me..finally got a pair of knickers that fit exactly the way i wanted it).

XanderHal · 10-18-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowstix

going to the next one up in edmonton?

There are two back to back weekends I think. I'll make it to the first one, Wetterberg Open, but not the one the weekend after. Get Brent and Adam to come and we can carpool or something.

glowstix · 10-18-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderHal

There are two back to back weekends I think. I'll make it to the first one, Wetterberg Open, but not the one the weekend after. Get Brent and Adam to come and we can carpool or something.

i know adam is going for sure and its cool 'cause its an 11am start so no overnighting. i'll probably skip the following weekend myself.

XanderHal · 10-19-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowstix

11am start so no overnighting

That's awesome, I wasn't aware of that. Still a pretty long drive to edmonton, but hopefully I don't have to get up at 5 am like I did for the red deer tourney. That was not fun.

glowstix · 10-19-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderHal

That's awesome, I wasn't aware of that. Still a pretty long drive to edmonton, but hopefully I don't have to get up at 5 am like I did for the red deer tourney. That was not fun.

the 5am would still be a good idea..give more time to get there, find the place, warm up, etc..

rcmatthews · 10-20-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDG

I think (somebody who knows better please correct me) that "president" pre-dated the use of "director", which pre-dated our current label "referee". The president presided over the "jury" of four judges.

What term is currently used in French?

L'arbitre, i think. Any of the vrai frenchies on the forum feel free to correct.