pricing ideas(on or off-line

[Veil]

I'm new(to fencing and the site) and it's doesn't seem too easy to find good fencing sites. I need to buy the equip., but need some ideas on prices.

[JEC]

<a href="http://www.usfencing.org/Contacts/Corporate.asp" target="_blank">USFA equipment vendors</a>

[Purple Fencer]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by Veil:
<strong>I'm new(to fencing and the site) and it's doesn't seem too easy to find good fencing sites. I need to buy the equip., but need some ideas on prices.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">You could also give me a call (I'm not on the USFA list).

[Craig]

Check out the Equipment vendors at the fencing.net search engine:
<a href="http://www.fencing.net/search/Equipment/" target="_blank">Fencing.Net Equipment Listing</a>

Cheers,
Craig

[foodle]

A few suggestions:

1) As suggested by others, browse the online venodrs' sites to get a feel for pricing.

2) If you tell us your skill level, weapon, and equipment needs, we may be able to tell you some ballpark prices.

3) Ask your salle-mates. I know that in this hyper-networked world, we tend to goto the internet first, but sometimes ye olde human-touch is what's needed.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Since you are new to fencing, you probably want to go cheap, but not too cheap.

Most every company sells a starter set that comes with a mask, weapon, jacket and glove. The deluxe sets will generally also come with a bag that should last you until you are fencing multiple weapons in tournaments often. When you buy a starter set, you will get a discount over what you would have bought the items individually.

Most clubs will carry old masks, jackets, foils and gloves etc. but its best to buy your own. The two items that you really need of your own are your glove and foil; this is to allow you to get familiar with one weapon.

The rest is really just my opinion and others will have different ones.

1. Don't buy from Blade unless you like cheap stuff that won't last you long.

2. You really don't need equipment that says FIE at your level. FIE equipment is needed for international tournaments since they provide a much higher level of protection. For your level, standard fencing gear is fine.

3. If you want an inexpensive but good starter set, buy from Triplette Competition Arms. Their TCA brand weapons use arguably the finest blades in the world ( roughly 80% of all fencers use Blaise Frere' blades )

Their low end mask will last quite a while. In my opinion, the mask is something that you do not want to go cheap on. Cheaper masks don't have as nice of padding and aren't terribly comfortable.

4. The best brands of gear are Uhlmann, Allstar, PBT, Negrini, and Prieur. Buy their stuff, and you'll be happy you did. However, they are more expensive than most and you should be sure that fencing is something that you are going to do for a long time before you shell out those bucks. If you aren't certain, buy cheaper so you don't stand as big a chance of taking a loss if you quit fencing.

5. If you are patient, buy oversees. European vendors sell cheaper because they sell in higher bulk since fencing is much more popular in Europe.

6. If you are going to buy in US, PM Purple Fencer. I've never bought from him, but people from this forum post their positive experiences with him. He sells a lot of high end stuff and good low end stuff.

7. Avoid France-Lames blades like the plague.

Nice to have you aboard!!!!

[Purple Fencer]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>

6. If you are going to buy in US, PM Purple Fencer. I've never bought from him, but people from this forum post their positive experiences with him. He sells a lot of high end stuff and good low end stuff.

7. Avoid France-Lames blades like the plague.

Nice to have you aboard!!!!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Thank you, kind sir!

[D'Artagnan1673]

No problem, and I forgot to mention that you are always curtious and never flame anyone on this board that I can remember.