Best Equipment?

[The Crazy Wacker]

I was wandering where the best (and cheapest) place to buy equipment is. Any websites would be helpful. So far I like TCA (triplette competition arms) the best. <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" /> <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" />

[Fencing Angel]

Try <a href="http://www.thefencingpost.com" target="_blank">the fencing post </a>also..

<a href="http://www.blue-gauntlet.com" target="_blank">Blue Gauntlet</a> is where i get most of my gear.

just some ideas for you..
<img src="graemlins/jawa.gif" border="0" alt="[Jawa]" />

[Purple Fencer]

Or me...I could use the business!

[D'Artagnan1673]

I've noticed that a lot of clubs will buy their stuff exclusively from Blue Gauntlet. That is because their stuuff is good and they give discounts to clubs.

I've found TCA to be very good for weapons. I personally like the fencing post for uniforms. They have the best prices of any American vendor. Check out Santelli for gloves though.

[The Crazy Wacker]

Hay purple fencer, think i could get a discount like oh say 80%?

No seriously I'll take that $180 electric ulham ultra epee w/ a plastron for 50 bucks

(all i got right now )

[ 04-07-2002: Message edited by: The Crazy Wacker ]</p>

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

Being a classical nut, AMfencing, Santelli, and The Fencing Post are the only vendors I would consider.

Also, don't get stuff from Blue Gauntlet. For the most part, they have a very limited selection, which you can find pretty much anywhere else for higher quality, and a larger selection.

Blue Gauntlet does, however, have very well made lames, which even after wadding them up in my sweaty fencing bag and spilling soda on it, it hasn't shown one dead spot.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Bebop,

This is a serious question, not a slander.

How does your style of fencing dictate what companies you buy from? Is it because the afforementioned companies either sell rapiers or have links to classical sites? Don't forget that TCA sells rapiers as well. They also use a rapier as their logo as well as many nice looking shirts. They've got one that has Rene' Descartes holding a mask saying " I fence, therefore I am"

Personally, I've done business with few companies save Santelli, TCA and Fencing Post, but it has to do with price, selection and quality of sevice.

On Blue Gauntlet, I rather agree with you. I wouldn't buy any of the stuff that has their label except maybe a lame'. Their Uhlmann stuff is just as pricy as every other company save The Fencing Post. Now I have seen their "olympic" mask and the padding is very extensive and quite plush. When it comes to weapons, TCA is the place. They sell the best blades in the world, from Blaise Brothers. They also sell these at a cheaper price than any other US vendor since they buy directly from Blaise rather than from Uhlmann or Allstar. That's right, the TCA trademark blade is the same as Uhlmann and Allstar. The only difference is that it is cheaper. Now as far as plug, point and that sort, having never fenced with an "Allstar" electric foil, I am not sure.

If you have the money, go FIE with either Uhlmann or Allstar, now those uniforms are nice, protective and stretchy!

[Fencing Angel]

heheh.... i think this is one of swordsman's sig lines..

" i fence therefor i am single... "

classic...

sorry.. random comment there..

[D'Artagnan1673]

Chuckle chuckle, that's a pretty good one. I've been able to relate to that before! I once dated a girl for 3 1/2 years. It was over between the two of us about 6 months after I started fencing. I think the word neglect came up quite a bit during that last conversation. <img src="graemlins/dunce.gif" border="0" alt="[Dunce]" />

[lochinvar]

I once dated a girl I thought I was going to marry. One day in a group conversation the name Napoleon Bonaparte came up. She turned to me in all seriousness and asked, "Who was he?"

That was it. It took a few weeks for things to finally drift to the break-off point, but I knew it was all over at that moment.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Ha ha ha!!! Just one question. How was it that you had dated her long enough to want to marry her without realizing that she had no clue who Napoleon was?

Don't worry, I've done the same thing myself. That girl I dated for 3 1/2 years, she may have known the name Napoleon, but didn't give a care who he was or when he lived. She even thought the Vietnam War was in the 40's!!! So I can't really laugh since I dated her that long knowing what a dum dum she was. Still, I was young and blah blah blah.

The girl I am dating now finds my movies to be in very good taste. I knew she was a winner when we were first talking and she rented Sense and Sensibility at my suggestion and loved it!

[lochinvar]

Oh, she was smart enough, but her interests lay in sociology and political science and psychology and such-like 'soft' sciences.

I, on the other hand, was a history major...*sigh*

[The Crazy Wacker]

Alright enough with the girls...

[D'Artagnan1673]

Don't worry, your time will come too.

[D'Artagnan1673]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>Oh, she was smart enough, but her interests lay in sociology and political science and psychology and such-like 'soft' sciences.

I, on the other hand, was a history major...*sigh*</strong><hr></blockquote>

I am amazed that anyone of intelligence would not even know a few things about Napoleon. Now I'd understand that not being a history major, she might not be able to tell you the name of say England's prime minister during the years leading up to WWII (Nevelle Chamberlain)

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>Bebop,

This is a serious question, not a slander.

How does your style of fencing dictate what companies you buy from? Is it because the afforementioned companies either sell rapiers or have links to classical sites? </strong><hr></blockquote>

No, because they sell italian foils and epees, which are rather hard to find.

[The Crazy Wacker]

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>Don't worry, your time will come too.</strong><hr></blockquote>

... Times already come, don't want to hear about girl stories, i wanna know the best place to buy equipment!! <img src="graemlins/evil3.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil 2]" />

[D'Artagnan1673]

[quote]Originally posted by Bebop and Rocksteady:
<strong>

No, because they sell italian foils and epees, which are rather hard to find.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That is true, however, I will stick to my french grip. One of my main reasons is because only France Lames makes true Italian blades; I am not a big fan of France Lames.

[D'Artagnan1673]

[quote]Originally posted by The Crazy Wacker:
<strong>

... Times already come, don't want to hear about girl stories, i wanna know the best place to buy equipment!! <img src="graemlins/evil3.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil 2]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey, talking about equipment led to girls. When a thread turns to a different subject, interject something to get us back to what you want to know, but don't tell us to stop. Girls is hardly worth starting a thread over, but if we get on it, big deal.

[The Crazy Wacker]

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>

Hey, talking about equipment led to girls. When a thread turns to a different subject, interject something to get us back to what you want to know, but don't tell us to stop. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Ok, Go back to equipment. What are all the parts needed to make an epee? Blade, Bell, Pad, Grip, Pommel?