Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

argonis · 10-22-2007, 12:09 PM

My sabre lame recently died on me, so I've been looking for a new one on the fencing.net shop. I'm a collegiate fencer who goes to the occasional USFA tournament, so I wanted to stick with something <$200.

I'm currently trying to decide between the Leon Paul Inox Sabre Lame for $197 or the AF Ultra Light Men's Sabre Lame for $150. Does anyone have any recommendations/gripes about either? The ultralight one seems pretty cool, but browsing through old lame threads it seems like there's some durability questions.

As an alternative, would it be more budget-wise to buy a generic $90 lames? I could replace it with another one when it wore out and still spend about the same as one of the nicer lames. Will the more expensive ones last longer than 2 generics?

Thanks for any advice!

brtech · 10-22-2007, 02:48 PM

I'd say that you should borrow something until you can afford the LP ultralight. Failing that, I'd suggest the LP INOX instead of the AF ultralight. In my experience, the AF ultralight is not lasting as long as it should. I think the Uhlmann is about the same as the LP INOX.

I think the cost/lifetime equation favors the better lames. If you are really hard on them, it may be a little cheaper to go through more inexpensive ones, but you also may need to get one when you can least afford it, or you may not find a vendor with your size when you need it. If you are an average user, the better ones will last you longer than multiple cheapies.

CvilleFencer · 10-22-2007, 03:47 PM

Ditto the recommendation of the LP INOX and Brtechs other comments. I am a very big fan of the LP Ultra Light lame line. The Absolutes are doing okay from what I have seen and heard so far in foil, but for some reason in saber they are getting chewed up faster than would seem normal. I have been very disappointed in Ulhmann lately. Several of my friends/fencers/customers have had their Ulhmanns begin to fall apart and/or fail in about a year or a little less. I would go with LP, Negrinni or some other brand than Uhlmann for a top shelf lame personally.

For LP kit, F.net is often cheaper than even LP USA. They have the INOX on sale (if they have your size) for $197 and the list the Ultra Light at $256.99.

KD5MDK · 10-22-2007, 04:12 PM

I hope that's not evidence of Craig getting screwed on exchange rates and insulating us from it.

bobb121 · 10-22-2007, 04:27 PM

im also for the lp

***Craig*** · 10-22-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I hope that's not evidence of Craig getting screwed on exchange rates and insulating us from it.

Actually, it is. I've been holding on the prices for the LP and European (FWF) for a while now, but I'll have to move some prices around at the beginning of November once we've reviewed the exchange rates we've been paying over the last quarter.

Craig

Tomas N · 10-22-2007, 05:44 PM

I've had a Triplette ultralight lame since the mid-1990s. I fence more epee than foil and I take good care of it, but it has treated me very well and is well made. It is tied for my best purchase from Triplette with the Jimmy Hoffa bag.

Tomas

Cookeit · 10-22-2007, 06:02 PM

Does anyone feel the brownish hue of the LP ultralights looks ugly?

Or that it makes it difficult to read the name on the back of the lame?

Those are the two reserves I have about buying them, but they do feel really great on.

Neinteen · 10-22-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

. I am a very big fan of the LP Ultra Light lame line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brtech

I'd say that you should borrow something until you can afford the LP ultralight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookeit

Those are the two reserves I have about buying them, but they do feel really great on.

are the ultra lights really that nice? A sabre I know got one and like it died less than 3 months in. And he like took good care of it and all.

KD5MDK · 10-22-2007, 07:21 PM

Was it an LP Ultralight or an Absolute? As has been mentioned here, the Absolutes seem to be dying quicker. They are very different materials.

Neinteen · 10-22-2007, 07:28 PM

Idk, i'd assume absolute. it was brown lol.

why are lames like different colors? like brown, blue and green? any actual reason?

fatfencer · 10-23-2007, 04:42 AM

Buy Estoc. I saw their lames and they are, IMHO the best in terms of longevity and craftsmanship. THey will last forever. I personally saw one at the Tucson NAC and I have to say I was impressed. Those lames will be around for a long time.

If you are an active competitor or ever wish to become one then perhaps the Triplette ultralights are for you. I never looked to see if they make a saber lame but sweating thru your uniform will make nickel impregnated fabrics very heavy. I have 2 foil lames that I have absolutely beat the crap out of and there are still no dead spots. It's been 5 years.

The best combination of price/quality lies with Estoc. As an occasional competitor you can get used to the slightly heavier weights. If you get better or at least, more active then I definately suggest a Triplette Ultralight.

One thing I have to say I loathe about Ultralights in general is their completely un-stylish **** brown color. UGG!!

FF

GypsyScot · 10-23-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neinteen

Idk, i'd assume absolute. it was brown lol.

why are lames like different colors? like brown, blue and green? any actual reason?

Mine aren't brown, I've seen brownish BGs though, try again.

Cookeit · 10-23-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyScot

Mine aren't brown, I've seen brownish BGs though, try again.

Its not brown but is still an ultralight?
What brand?

KD5MDK · 10-23-2007, 05:45 PM

Absolute. Theirs are gray.

Cookeit · 10-23-2007, 05:53 PM

Well, absolutes have that unappealing orangy inside lining that makes up for the outside looking nice =]

bigdawg2121 · 10-29-2007, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfencer

Buy Estoc. I saw their lames and they are, IMHO the best in terms of longevity and craftsmanship. THey will last forever. I personally saw one at the Tucson NAC and I have to say I was impressed. Those lames will be around for a long time.

If you are an active competitor or ever wish to become one then perhaps the Triplette ultralights are for you. I never looked to see if they make a saber lame but sweating thru your uniform will make nickel impregnated fabrics very heavy. I have 2 foil lames that I have absolutely beat the crap out of and there are still no dead spots. It's been 5 years.

The best combination of price/quality lies with Estoc. As an occasional competitor you can get used to the slightly heavier weights. If you get better or at least, more active then I definately suggest a Triplette Ultralight.

One thing I have to say I loathe about Ultralights in general is their completely un-stylish **** brown color. UGG!!

FF

I don't think that the weight of the lame makes much difference. The weight of the lame is relatively trivial compared to the overall weight of the jacket and, like many things, if you train/compete with it you'll get used to it anyway. The vast majority of competitive fencers wear standard, heavier lames and appear to be doing just fine with them.

randomsabreur · 10-29-2007, 09:04 AM

Don't really care about the weight of the ultralight - it's nice, but not the be all and end all.

The difference is that the smoothness of the material means it doesn't start wearing under the arms after a very few uses, unlike conventional lames. That means it won't wear out as quickly. I've had one for about 4 years, used for training and competing and it still passes FIE weapon controls.

HDG · 10-29-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfencer

Buy Estoc. I saw their lames and they are, IMHO the best in terms of longevity and craftsmanship. THey will last forever. I personally saw one at the Tucson NAC and I have to say I was impressed. Those lames will be around for a long time.

Ever used or just saw?