What's your favorite,,,,,?

[twisterfencing]

You know, I have been a f.net'er now for about 6 months or longer and have read a ton of "what's your favorite" postings. I normally ignore them, yet keep seeing them time and time again.

Lets get together and knock it out all at once and when they appear, just click on this posting and move on.


OK, whats your favorite:

Blade
Shoes
Wires
2 prong connector
Shoe strings
glvoe
mask
lame - foil or sabre
jacket
knickers
bell guard - foil/epee/sabre
3 prong connector
tip - foil or epee
body cord
pommel nut
grip
pads
reels
scoring machines
tools
test box
weights
fencing bags
zippers
bayonet connector


If I left something out, feel free to add.

Here are my choices:

Blade: BF Blue date stamped 11-01
Shoes- no clue
Wires- the ones I make
2 prong connector- FWF's
Shoe strings- dont care, yet thought it might come up
glove - Estoc
mask - Negrini
lame - foil or sabre: Estoc
jacket- No clue
knickers- Same, no clue
bell guard - foil/epee/sabre - Foil and epee Viniti, sabre, Like the old iron ones
3 prong connector- FWF or PBT's
tip - foil or epee: FWF for both, true german, not the Belgim ones.
body cord - Negrini hands down
pommel nut- I like the heavy duty inside hex ones, not the wimpy ones
grip- Uhlmann/Allstar/FWF viscounti
pads- I like the really thick leather ones
reels- favero
scoring machines-favero
tools- all of mine and the ones I make
test box-The one I bought from Dan D Universal and the one I make
weights- the ones I make or as long as its a 3 function weight
fencing bags- no clue
zippers-Its gonna come up, no clue
bayonet connector- LP's


Hope this helps,

Gary Spruill

[erooMynohtnA]

Blade, foil - LP G-Pro
Blade, epee - LP non-FIE
Blade, saber - LM
Shoes - Adidas Dartagnan II
Wires - Negrini, but I wish they were clear
2 prong connector - Uhlmann
Shoe strings - Adidas, the tube style
Glove - LP 350 N cuff
Mask - LP FIE contour fit
Lame, foil - LP ultralight
Lame, saber - Inifinity
Jacket - LP 350 N Competition range
Knickers - LP 350 N Competition range
Bell guard, foil - Vniti, the smaller ones
Bell guard, epee - Vniti
Bell guard, saber - Swordmaster integrated 2-prong
3 prong connector - LP
Tip, foil - LP GT, but maybe those new Germans if I have a chance
Tip, epee - LP GT
Body cord, foil/saber - LP with an Uhlmann connector
Body cord, epee - LP straight up
Pommel nut, foil/epee - Outside hex
Pommel nut, saber - BG insulated
Grip, foil/epee - Medium Visconti, Uhlmann
Grip, saber - Aluminium under rubber
Pads - LP pro range, because they're clear
Reels - Favero Millenium
Scoring machines - Favero FA05
Tools - Leatherman Squirt
Test box - Yellow plastic favero
Weights - Stainless steel, not brass
Fencing bags - Linea
Zippers - I like the LP lame zippers, because they're metal, but I wish the slide was on the right side (I'm left handed)
Bayonet connector - LP

Plus a few:

Socks - Nike Centenario
Plastron - Whatever cheapo one I have from the fencing post.
Chest protector - None!
Undershirt - Underarmour heat gear compression shirt
Underwear - Underarmour boxer briefs (not the boxer jock)
Cup - None
Warm up pants - Adidas Tenacity pant
Mask cord - The curly kind
Strips - Absolute aluminum plate strips
Tip tape - Gaffers tape, black

[Purple Fencer]

Wires -- the ones I buy from you
2 prong connector -- FWF 2 pin
glove -- MINE!
3 prong connector -- FWF
tip - foil or epee -- FWF for both (the Xtra barrel for foil)
body cord -- mine...when they come out.
reels -- Favero "pizza box"
test box -- my Danbox!
weights -- the 9mm ones you have made
bayonet connector -- LP

[mrbiggs]

Blade -Vniti (foil)
Shoes -Li Nings (good and cheap)
glove - my HOM glove has lasted almost 18 months with virtually no wear, which is ridiculous for the price
lame - foil or sabre - I get cheap ones
grip -medium visconti
pads -whatever's cheapest

[bobb121]

Blade - foil(vniti) epee(bf) sabre(stm)
Shoes - pbt
Wires - schermasport
2 prong connector - allstar
Shoe strings - none
glove - lp
mask - pbt
lame - estoc for both
jacket - uhlman
knickers - tca
bell guard - foil/epee - vniti sabre - allstar
3 prong connector - allstar
tip - schermasprt for both
body cord - negrini
pommel nut - none
grip - allstar
pads - clear lp
reels - favero
scoring machines - favero
tools - whatever I cab buy from a skilled armourer
test box - the dan box
weights - none
fencing bags - skb
zippers - none
bayonet connector - negrini

[Purple Fencer]

glove - my HOM glove has lasted almost 18 months with virtually no wear, which is ridiculous for the price

You have NO idea how much that makes me smile right now!

[CvilleFencer]

Some of mine are complicated between what I can afford and what I would prefer. I tend to lavish my limited money on my epee gear, so foil and saber are whatever works well enough on a budget as opposed to what I prefer...

Blade Epee: BF FIE blue 12/06 for pommeled epee, LP Kpro for pistol
Shoes: LP scimitars
Wires: Gary's or German
2 prong connector: German
Shoe strings: I like the ones from the Adidas D'art II's, now that I think about it...
glove: HOM Armour Two for Pommeled epee/foil, Uhlmann Grippy for pistol Epee and LP all in one for saber
mask: LP exchange w/ Contour fit for foil/epee, LP Contour for saber
lame - LP Ultralight for both
jacket: LP Sydney
knickers: LP Sydney
bell guard - Foil: Vniti XL Epee: German ultralight for Pommeled blades, Vniti for pistol Sabre: Old LP "cloverleaf" guards
3 prong connector: FDN's house brand (Very light and easy to bend so that it sits far into the guard), LP lightweight
tip - foil: LP GT or Next Gen FWF Epee: LP (with German contact spring)
body cord: Custom made 3 weapon cords that are LP, Negrini for epee only
pommel: Negrini 2 piece pommel
grip: Coach Reith (AKA Sex Toy) for pommeled epee, Visconti for foil/pistol epee and either FDN or German rubber over steel core for saber.
pads: Puffy leather ones from Absolute
reels: Favero
scoring machines: Favero 05
tools: Various
test box: Favero for simple box, anything by Dan D for serious armory work (Haven't seen Gary's yet!)
weights: Combo
fencing bags: Linea 3 compartment, LP with the pouch on top (wish the pockets weren't stitched flat though"
zippers: YKK
bayonet connector: LP

[GypsyScot]

Blade: Sabre: Af Elite Gold, Epee: LP Rain-gutter, Foil: Chevalier FIE
Shoes: LP Blades
Wires: AF or FWF depending on eithers batch
2 prong connector: AF
Shoe strings: Who cares
glove: AF Soft Leather
mask: Allstar FIE from 2001, currently FWF
lame - Sabre: AF Ultra or Negini,
jacket - Currently: Uhlmann Olympia and Classic, would like to try some higher-end LP kit
knickers - AF Stretchy, it suck have tree trunk thighs
bell guard - Mid 1990s Allstar Sabre, FWF Sabre Guards will be next after I finish off the last of my custom russians
3 prong connector- favero
tip - Foil-FWF Extra Epee-LP
body cord -- LP Bayonet
pommel nut - LP Sabre the heavier one
grip - Uhlmann Leather Sabre Grip
pads - AF Leather
reels - Favero
scoring machines - Don't care
tools - a mix of LP and German
test box - AF
weights - AF Dan Dechaine
fencing bags - I really do like my 12 year old Blade bag, but probably I'll grab an AF 2008 bag before too long
zippers YKK
bayonet connector LP

[Chuck F.]

Blade ________________________ Vniti FIE. StM non-FIE if don't have $100
Shoes _______________________ my old out-of-prod. Head tennis shoes
Wires _______________________ Twister's or FWF
2 prong connector ____________ I actually like Absolute's quite a bit
Shoe strings _________________ the ones on my out-of-prod Head shoes!
glove _______________________ Uhlmann/Allstar Gripstar
mask _______________________ LEON PAUL hands down, with snuggly disc
lame - foil or sabre ___________ no opinion
jacket _____________________ Leon Paul FIE Atlanta (never tried Sydney)
knickers ___________________ Negrini FIE
bell guard - foil/epee/sabre ___ Vniti foil/epee, maybe PBT/LP heavy for sabre
3 prong connector ___________ again, I like Absolute
tip - foil or epee _____________ FWF
body cord __________________ Negrini. FWF or Absolute if don't have $45
pommel nut _________________ outside hex
grip ________________________ LP Ultragrip, shortened a bit, strip for epee
pads _______________________ felt, thick like TCA's
reels _______________________ Favero
scoring machines _____________ Favero FA-05
tools _______________________ Husky 8-in-1 precision screwdriver
test box ____________________ one I made after much gnashing of teeth
weights ____________________ sexy Harkey "O-ring" or DeChaine 3-in-1
fencing bags ________________ my Pimped Case or Absolute wheeled
zippers _____________________ NOT NYLON
bayonet connector ___________ no opinion

I'll add.....
shims ______________________ Negrini Armorers' shims with 0.4 Super Shim
socks ______________________ Absolute fencing socks
underarm protector __________ Negrini FIE
glue _______________________ Zap CA super thin formula
glue removal technique _______ Dremel with cutting wheel and CA solvent
tang cutting technique _______ bolt cutters or Dremel w/fiberglass cut wheel
maintenance secret __________ silicone treated rod/reel cloth to prevent rust
bodycord management ________ Velcro One Wrap

[VorpalCat]

You have NO idea how much that makes me smile right now!

Psst! You need to come out to the NAC C in Richmond so we poor East Coasters can see, fondle, swoon over, etc. these gloves! Just sayin'.

[CvilleFencer]

FDN sells em, and they are super pretty sweet. I wrote up a review a while ago. I will see if Craig is going to use it on the sight, and if not I will just repost it as a thread.

[wahrman]

This weekend, a frustrated, beginning foilist slashed me so hard on the wrist
that I actually felt it through your glove.

I hate to think what would have happened had I been wearing a different glove!

You have NO idea how much that makes me smile right now!

[Purple Fencer]

This weekend, a frustrated, beginning foilist slashed me so hard on the wrist
that I actually felt it through your glove.

I hate to think what would have happened had I been wearing a different glove!

And people say "Oh...foilists won't hit that hard."

Thanks....that kind of thing IS whhy i had the glove made the way it is!

As for the east coasters....Craig's had them at the last 2 nats he went to....and he has a new supply on the way this week (they should arrive at my house today, in fact)...just sayin'!!

[VorpalCat]

FDN sells em,

As for the east coasters....Craig's had them at the last 2 nats he went to....and he has a new supply on the way this week (they should arrive at my house today, in fact)...just sayin'!!

Excellent and excellent! I didn't spend as much time in the vendor area as I'd planned to last year so didn't get to terrorize FDN. This year I'll make sure they're the first one I hit up. Have heard so many good things about the gloves but I have odd-to-fit hands (evidently), hence I prefer to try gloves on before I buy them. Schweet!

[twisterfencing]

Wow,

I did not know so many here liked my wires & weights.

Heck, I just make them and send them out to vendors. Setting at my bench making them, you don't know where they are going to end up?

Thanks folks,

Gary Spruill

[fatfencer]

And people say "Oh...foilists won't hit that hard."

Thanks....that kind of thing IS whhy i had the glove made the way it is!

As for the east coasters....Craig's had them at the last 2 nats he went to....and he has a new supply on the way this week (they should arrive at my house today, in fact)...just sayin'!!

that Fatfencer was one of the first to heap endless praise for Sam's gloves.

In all seriousness he has the best gloves out there. I have a manchette and I use his 800 newton fabric glove with the extra padding for saber and foil. I haven't fenced much saber as of late but I do fence foil regularly. Use his gloves every day really. Good stuff.

FF

[Purple Fencer]

that Fatfencer was one of the first to heap endless praise for Sam's gloves.

In all seriousness he has the best gloves out there. I have a manchette and I use his 800 newton fabric glove with the extra padding for saber and foil. I haven't fenced much saber as of late but I do fence foil regularly. Use his gloves every day really. Good stuff.

FF

and before anyone asks....the 800N one was a prototype....the actual design is not set yet because I'm trying to correct some flexibility issues that don;t bother FF.

[randomsabreur]

Blade - Sabre: STM - cheap enough and durable enough for me.
- Epee: LP non FIE - light!
- Foil: LP Budget Maraging - but have to choose a relatively stiff one.
Shoes: Scimitar
Wires: Don't know, whatever they get fixed with!
2 prong connector: No thanks, but Allstar if I have to
Shoe strings: Whatever came closest
glvoe: LP's long fingered/ladies. Wish they did them in sabre though
mask: LP vision 2000 X-Change
lame - foil or sabre: LP Lightweight
jacket: Don't care
knickers: Not prieur
bell guard - foil/epee/sabre: LP
3 prong connector: Whatever it comes with, conceivably a variety to match the various spool options would be a good ider
tip - foil or epee: There are different types - whatever my blade comes with!
body cord: LP
pommel nut: Don't care
grip: LP leather
pads
reels: LP, not the landmine
scoring machines: Not Allstar red ones. Any of the good full FIE ones with proper scoring. Ideally nothing with a switch between new and old timings.
tools - anything in a hand that knows how to use them
test box - use a cheap digital multimeter
weights - whichever one is going to be used on the piste I'm fencing on
fencing bags: LP with top zip. Allstar types are just that bit too big for cars I want to drive.
zippers
bayonet connector: LP

[little_old_me]

Blade ________________________ BF Gold, but I'd like to try a K-Pro
Shoes _______________________ Blades, but they're too wide so I'm trying some Adistars when they die.
Wires _______________________ FWF or LP
2 prong connector ____________ I fence Epee
Shoe strings _________________ the ones on my blades
glove _______________________ Uhlmann non-gripstar
mask _______________________ LP with comfort fit suction cup thinger
lame - foil or sabre ___________ N/A
jacket _____________________ Uhlmann Olympia
knickers ___________________ Uhlmann Olympia
bell guard - foil/epee/sabre ___ Vniti
3 prong connector ___________ whatever, I think I have an Uhlmann and an Abs now and can tell no difference.
tip - foil or epee _____________ Estoc Screwless
body cord __________________ LP, always
pommel nut _________________ inside hex
grip ________________________ Uhlmann Medium Visconti
pads _______________________ Leather Estoc
reels _______________________ Favero
scoring machines _____________ Favero FA-05
tools _______________________ 7mm tiny wrench... fits my tips nicely and it's the only one I've ever seen.
test box ____________________ one I made
weights ____________________ Um... I have an absolute with some change taped to it to add extra weight.
fencing bags ________________ Linea wheeled, but I want a pimped golf bag for flights.
zippers _____________________ some that don't break
bayonet connector ___________ again, epee
shims ______________________ Negrini Armorers' shims with 0.4 Super Shim
socks ______________________ Adidas soccer socks in orange or black
underarm protector __________ Uhlmann FIE
glue _______________________ Zap CA super thin formula
glue removal technique _______ Dremel with cutting wheel and CA solvent
tang cutting technique _______ get someone professional to do it
maintenance secret __________ dessicant packs to suck up moisture
bodycord management ________ fold in half, fold in half, overhand knot, in bag pouch

[Chuck F.]

I did not know so many here liked my wires & weights.

Unfortunately, the only times I have had a chance to use your wires are when Dan has them at the OTC for Armorers' College. I would love to buy some for my own stash. Does Scott sell them at his website, or do I have to wait until I see you at a NAC? (You don't make epee wires for sale, too, do you?)

As for the weights, do you make those shiny concentric "O-ring weights"? I love those. Of course, they aren't as cool as the revolver cylinder....