Who Makes The Best Masks

**Lefty** · 07-10-2002 05:16 PM

Who do you guys/gals think makes the best masks(Negrini, Uhlmann, Prieur or Other), and what makes them the best.

**Gav** · 07-10-2002 05:23 PM

I own a new Leon Paul comfort fit. It's snug and comfortable and the inside is washable. It's also slightly lighter as it doesn't have the metal bar in it that hooks round your head.

I used to have a France Lames 'couch'. I called it that because it's big, heavy and had plenty of cushioning - which I was very satisfied with despite the weight. The only reason I bought a new mask was because I threw my old mask down the hall (where I train) in a fit of pique and badly dented it. I can honestly say I've learned a valuable lesson!

**JEC** · 07-10-2002 07:41 PM

I'm glad that you bought a new mask. Everybody should be inspecting the mesh of his or her masks on a regular basis. This year, at the Nationals, I worked at the armory and I saw an "old" (~5-10 years) Negrini mask with a hole made around the left cheek while practice bouting with an unbroken epee. The entire point penetrated the mask and subsequently the left cheek. I was told that the Texan fencer returned for more fencing the following week. I asked the senior armorers (Joe Byrnes, Chris Green, etc) this precise question. Everybody agreed that manufacturers are doing a good job with quality control. However, rust and dents would weaken the mask overtime. I will only be concerned about Chinese or Russian masks. FIE masks are also made with better quality control including the mesh. I own an old All-Star FIE mask in great shape, my son uses an Ulhmann mask, and my daughter a Leon Paul mask.

**Zelda** · 07-11-2002 02:17 AM

I like my re-branded France-Lames mask....its like Gav said a "couch" for your face!!

**sallearmourer** · 07-11-2002 02:49 AM

When it's comes to mask buy the one that will be the best fit. As far as the FIE Mask I like the one from Blue Gaunlet. Remenber this about FIE Mask they all have to meet the same Standares

The masks from Blue Gaunlet are as well made as any other mask on the market. There are some mask from Santelli that I would not buy because of the bibs being on the minium size.

All masks mesh must meet the 12K punch test. Before start slaming the Chinese mask they need to study the different products out there. Automatic the assume that because it Chinese it's junk. You are paying for the name people and not neccessary getting the bang for the buck.

Tim

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-11-2002 06:14 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JEC:
 This year, at the Nationals, I worked at the armory and I saw an "old" (~5-10 years) Negrini mask with a hole made around the left cheek while practice bouting with an unbroken epee. The entire point penetrated the mask and subsequently the left cheek. I was told that the Texan fencer returned for more fencing the following week. <hr /></blockquote>You would be referring to this picture.

<img src="http://www.spindletopcavaliers.org/Fireworks/Photos/mask.jpg" alt=" - " />

Now that is a scary site. I know the guy who was wearing the mask. I got to fence a very exciting bout with on May 18 at a small Houston tournament. I am very thankful that he's alive and is returning to fencing.

I've owned 3 masks in my brief carrer. The first one was a Chinese mask sold by Blade. I suppose you could call its padding a coach, a very uncomfortable one at that. My club doesn't have air and our humidity level is so high that I nearly suffocated wearing the thing. I then bought a standard Allstar 3 weapon. Maybe it was my imagination, but the mesh felt much stronger, and the bib was better made. The padding was softer and much more comfortable.

I know where an Uhlmann FIE. The padding is simular to the Allstar, only thicker. When this one wears out, I will buy and Allstar FIE. I have tried both a small and medium Uhlmann mask, one is too tight, the other just too loose. My Allstar on the other hand has always fit just right. I've been told that Ulhmann is for people who are a little more rounded than myself, I wish I knew that beforehand.

I am still shocked that I haven't gone with a Negrini because I got a chance to feel their new padding design, it was the best feeling of any. Prieur is the most durable, but isn't as comfortable as most, at least that is what AM Fence told me.

**latenight** · 07-11-2002 08:05 AM

I love my Uhlmann. The PBT masks are very nice too.

I think it all depends on the shape of your head.

**JEC** · 07-11-2002 08:17 AM

Yes, that is the mask. The mask was re-tested and passed the 12-Kg punch test except in the vicinity of the hole. What people believe happened is that there was a prior dent or rust in that area weakening the spot.

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-11-2002 09:21 AM

Geeze, that's scary. So that mask could have been tested countless times but never discovered. Wow, talk about really scary.

Yep, the shape of the head is going to make a difference on your mask preference. I maybe if Nationals is held in Austin (please please please......) next year, I'll go fence Div III and maybe II Epee and go around to all of the vendors.

**Mergs** · 07-11-2002 01:10 PM

D'Art, PM me with the details of who was involved. You know I have a slight interest in what goes on in the Division. Thanks, and now back to our regularly scheduled discussion.

**epeemike81** · 07-11-2002 01:36 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
I maybe if Nationals is held in Austin (please please please......) next year...<hr /></blockquote>Planning Schedule has been out for a little while....

It IS going to be in Austin.

-m

[ 07-11-2002, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: epeemike81 ]

**Purple Fencer** · 07-11-2002 08:37 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by sallearmourer:
W
All masks mesh must meet the 12K punch test. Before start slaming the Chinese mask they need to study the different products out there. Automatic the assume that because it Chinese it's junk. You are paying for the name people and not neccessary getting the bang for the buck.

Tim

<hr /></blockquote>I've had no reported problems from the many JL (Chinese) masks I've sold...and I'm the kind of guy who will ask someone how the gear's holding up every so often.

**Dalton** · 07-12-2002 03:18 AM

Leon Paul's masks are by far the best ones available. The ultra comfort system makes the very comfortable to wear. For sabreurs there is the added bonus of the removable bib. Thus you can easily replace the lamé and the mask will last far longer.

**Dalton** · 07-12-2002 03:21 AM

Oh, and by the way, I had a france-lames mask before this one. It litterally came apart in six months, and the lamé failed tests after only two months of use. I, for one, am never going to buy any of their gear ever again.

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-12-2002 11:07 AM

My experience with thier blades is definately less than satisfactory.

I've never seen the Leon-Paul masks in person. Hehe, I am just tickled that the Summer Nationals are going to be in Austin! Can anyone point out where on the USFA site it says what days are what, or do they even have that finalized yet.

**DJ Apostrophe** · 07-12-2002 02:43 PM

Sorry D'art... you'll have to wait a while before you know what days are what (like april or may)... the schedule for the first nac isn't even up yet... but should you want to see it the schedule is at <a href="http://www.usfencing.org/Schedules/planning.asp" target="_blank">The USFA Site</a>

**sallearmourer** · 07-12-2002 03:34 PM

Just to let you know that mask is about 12 years old from the design of it. I saw the mask as well at Nats. I have seen in the course of 20 plus years of armouy work brand new Allstar mask Uhlman mask and Leon Paul mask and several others not passed the 12K test. I have several Periuer mask after replacing the bibs I use in class that are 20 years old and still pass the 12k test.

Tim

A big thanks to my guest armourer the Dame for her assited at Nats. She as her stuff together. I introduced her to my good buddy Rudy Volkman. Made her day.

**Puppet Master** · 07-13-2002 12:10 PM

As for rust, I know the Fie Ulhmann/allstar masks use stainless steel. Stainless steel doesn't rust or very little, its white/clear instead of red.

This should be a consideration of which mask to buy. What of the other brands??

Does the FIE stipulate stainless for fie masks?

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-14-2002 07:32 AM

As Tim noted, there are Prieur masks that still pass the test twenty years later. From what I've heard from vendors and fencing masters, Prieur lasts longer than anyone else.

That's fine about the Nationals. I am just excited because I will get to go this year. Can't wait to meet a lot of you there.

**touche turtle** · 07-14-2002 11:44 PM

"The masks from Blue Gaunlet are as well made as any other mask on the market. There are some mask from Santelli that I would not buy because of the bibs being on the minium size."

Personally I will NEVER buy a Saber mask from BG. I purchased one from them 2 years ago, non FIE, made in China. I must have used it 15-20 times at the most and it still looked brand new. Within 4 months, a wire in the middle of the mask broke. My next saber mask was a (non-FIE) Leon Paul, which I am (still) very satisfied with. I also have an FIE Uhlmann that I use for competitions.

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