fencing XMAS gift

[davidamitchell]

My sons have taken to fencing, really love it. I have already gotten them a starter kit (glove, foil, helmet, vest, bag...) and was wondering what would make a good gift for Xmas. Something that encourages them to continue. Any help would be appreciated (they are 11 years old and have been involved for about 9 months). Thanks.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Have they started competing yet outside the club? You said "vest" so I'm not sure if that's the under-arm protector or the electric lame you're talking about.

If they don't have their own jacket or knickers, that's a nice step up. If they're ready to compete, there are lames, electric foils and bodycords to get.

Peruse the fencing.net store. There are a lot of small items a new fencer might enjoy.

[Heavenguard]

Getting my own electric foil sure made me feel fancy.
I think I need a different grip, but that's besides the point

Edit: Assuming the one(s) they have are dry weapons.

[davidamitchell]

i'm really not sure what the terms are. they have jackets, not vests. sorry.

they don't have knickers, so i suppose i could get them knickers. what is the "electric" foil thing all about? does that just indicate when they've made a touch? what about scoring systems? I saw two on this site but they are real expensive. are there any others? any practice "dummies" or anything I can get for them? I was thinking of setting up a lane in my basement as part of their gift.

[D'Art]

Originally Posted by davidamitchell

they don't have knickers, so i suppose i could get them knickers.

This is a good idea. Don't take this the wrong way, but at their age, second-hand ones are probably best, unless you feel your boys won't grow much in the next few months. A good plastron (check out LPusa or Craig's store here) will also be something I'd recommend to anyone.

what is the "electric" foil thing all about? does that just indicate when they've made a touch?

I wouldn't worry about this just yet. Wait until they've been involved a bit longer before bothering with electric stuff. If need be, the club should be able to provide the kit.

what about scoring systems? I saw two on this site but they are real expensive. are there any others?

Yes, but don't worry about these either, unless you intend setting up a club in the very near future. In which case, I'd recommend therapy for yourself.

any practice "dummies" or anything I can get for them? I was thinking of setting up a lane in my basement as part of their gift.

Again, I would ignore any of these for the time being. Maybe set up a mirror so they can practice their moves in front of it, but don't get a dummy yet. Let the coach work with them to build up their technique for now.

HTH

[HDG]

Originally Posted by D'Art

A good plastron (check out LPusa or Craig's store here) will also be something I'd recommend to anyone.

I'd second the plastron (underarm protector) suggestion. It's "fencingy", and it's an essential piece of protective equipment.

[seak]

Fencing competitions are nearly all electric (any serious one is). If you're kids are planning on being competitive fencers, they need electric equipment, for foil this means a lame, bodycord and electric weapon (they'll also need knickers, and an underarm protector). Most serious clubs, also do most of there bouting with electric equipment. At the 9 months to a year range is a godo time to start trying your first tournaments. I would talk to there coach about it, and see what he/she recommends, but shiny electric gear makes a great holiday gift.

(The gear is used for scoring purposes, to let you know when you've hit, and to determine if the hit is on target (lame))

[EdGardner]

From a pure "exciting gift" perspective, a sword always trumps a pair of pants, no matter how cool the pants are.

I'd probably go for the foil/lame/body cord combo if I were gifting. Or you could just fill out their kit and get the knickers and plastron as well (they will eventually need them all).

[TBean]

I agree that a sword trumps all in terms of cool. Talk to thier coach, ask how close are they to participating in electric fencing before considering the purchase of foils/lames/body cords. If it is still awhile off, go with knickers and a plasteron. If they continue in the sport and are competative you will eventually need all of it but it is easier on the wallet to spread it all out.

If you want something in your basement, a mirror is great but also a wall target and rigging a hanging tennis ball. Both are execellent tools to have available for practice.

[journalmom]

Hey, how about a fencing journal??? Craig has them here.
It has sections for daily journal, POOL scores, DE scores, Classification information, games, etc...

The journal was originally designed to record anything the coach tells them, what they learned in classes and lessons, and to record their competition scores. If they've been fencing for 9 months, their coach might slowly start to suggest some small local tournaments. The journal is a great way to keep their competition records as well as their lessons.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by journalmom

Hey, how about a fencing journal??? Craig has them here.
It has sections for daily journal, POOL scores, DE scores, Classification information, games, etc...

The journal was originally designed to record anything the coach tells them, what they learned in classes and lessons, and to record their competition scores. If they've been fencing for 9 months, their coach might slowly start to suggest some small local tournaments. The journal is a great way to keep their competition records as well as their lessons.

Any disclosures you'd like to make?

[VorpalCat]

Aw c'mon, her name and sigline are plenty of disclosure.

[veeco]

I would vote for a fencing video.

There are some here on fencing.net, also on http://www.fencingfootage.com and http://www.fencingpictures.com

[oiuyt]

I like Veeco's suggestion.

Or perhaps both fencing video and swashbuckler.

-B

[chrisod]

Fencing themed t-shirts and sweatshirts are a good gift too.

[Jengar]

Finish out his gear with a plastron and knickers. If he looks like a fencer and feels like a fencer, his attitude should be better and he will likely do better at practice. Then get him a fencing video so he can see what is in his future as a fencer.

[VorpalCat]

Originally Posted by chrisod

Fencing themed t-shirts and sweatshirts are a good gift too.

Very true! *koff*seesignature*koff*

[Nicksmom]

I got Nick a teddy bear and made a fencing outfit for it. KL got him a beautiful poster that he looks at every day, and foam swords.

The swords are used daily. He LOVES them.

[Craig]

For the gift-y stuff, complete weapons with a sweet blade (like a BF or Vniti foil or epee blade) are nice.

I also like the shirts that Big 4 Our Britches has. I'm a big fan of Carol's stuff.

And, to trumpet something that we just came out with - we've got a bit of fencing jewelry : pendants w/fencing and various words spelled out in Chinese characters and cast in silver or gold. (Check it out at the Fencing.net store here.)

Craig

[TheNakedSword]

Originally Posted by Craig

For the gift-y stuff, complete weapons with a sweet blade (like a BF or Vniti foil or epee blade) are nice.

I also like the shirts that Big 4 Our Britches has. I'm a big fan of Carol's stuff.

And, to trumpet something that we just came out with - we've got a bit of fencing jewelry : pendants w/fencing and various words spelled out in Chinese characters and cast in silver or gold. (Check it out at the Fencing.net store here.)

Craig

Any chance we can get a Chinese pendant with lead? Just wondering