Which mask is better?

[RenegadeStorm88]

im waffling between two masks: Absolute Removable Elite 3-W Mask or the TCA 183 Mask. Ive borrowed the TCA mask before and loved it, it was well padded and fits my head perfectly, i also love how the mesh sticks out far enough that I dont smash my nose on it, a problem with my old Blue Gauntlet mask. But the Absolute Mask comes with a kit i want to buy. So what im trying to decide is should i buy the kit, and then replace the mask? that seems like a waste of money. Or should I just not get that kit?

I guess what im wondering is: is there enough of a difference to endure the hassel, or not?

[erooMynohtnA]

TCA masks are garbage.

[RenegadeStorm88]

umm... why?

I was kind of hoping for more than "Mask A sucks!" if mask A sucks i'd like to know why exactly and i know neither of these aren't fantastic masks, but i can only afford low-end gear i plan on replacing it slowly over the next few years as it wears out

[CvilleFencer]

The TCA masks dent, rust, flake and fail with alarming regularity and ease. Also the interior lining generally does not hold up very well. In short, they Suck and I think they are about the worst masks on the market. And don't get me started on their FIE. There are a few people that love them, but they are the minority.

The Absolute mask is a decent mask for the price. They are heavy though, and because most people find that the mask sits very far back on their head, the back of the head is more prone to whips and such.

Between the two, I would save my money and get an LP or Prieur mask. The USFA/Spartan range of the LP masks are only $20 more and are an infinitely better mask than either of the other two. If I had to pick between the options you mention, I would go with the Absolute.

[XanderHal]

I got the 1999 mask as my first mask purchase (supposed to be a step up from the 183). In addition to the flaking paint and denting mesh, the bib was oddly shaped enough for it to not pass at a local tournament. I still use the mask for practice because the mesh passes punch test, but I would NOT recommend buying a TCA mask under any circumstances.

If I had saved up and purchased an FIE mask right from the get go it would have saved a lot of grief. Something to think about...

[RenegadeStorm88]

Ah, ok... but its sooo comfy!!! lol oh well, thats not the important thing

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

SNIP

The Absolute mask is a decent mask for the price. They are heavy though, and because most people find that the mask sits very far back on their head, the back of the head is more prone to whips and such.

Between the two, I would save my money and get an LP or Prieur mask. SNIP

1) If the mask sits far back on the head, why would that not protect you MORE from whips?

B) I will eventually replace my Prieur and Uhlmann FIE masks, and have heard a lot of GREAT GREAT comments about the LP masks...and fencers in my club use them almost exclusively. I have noticed, however, that EVERYONE who uses them in my club has much more of thier head exposed behind the limits of the mesh than people who use Prieur, Uhlmann and other makes. This concerns me with regard to whipping, flick action. It seems that this mask sits farther FORWARD on the head, or it is less deep. Comments please?

4) Unrelated funny story...this weekend I was fencing a leftie at a competition in Saco, Maine. Well, he's shorter than I, and he likes to either jump if his opponent attacks with a regular attack, or duck if his opponent goes high. Well, I'm attacking him high, and finishing with a flick to his back when he ducks, but he doesn't change his strategy, and keeps ducking. And then he ducks with his head covering his entire front target area. Read: His face is parallel with the piste, the top of his head is pointing at my knee, and the back of his head is facing the ceiling. Imagine where my tip landed...he was actually mad at me. DUH! If you're gonna duck, don't freakin' DO THAT with your head! It's illegal anyway!

[tkexi991]

1) If the mask sits far back on the head, why would that not protect you MORE from whips?

B) I will eventually replace my Prieur and Uhlmann FIE masks, and have heard a lot of GREAT GREAT comments about the LP masks...and fencers in my club use them almost exclusively. I have noticed, however, that EVERYONE who uses them in my club has much more of thier head exposed behind the limits of the mesh than people who use Prieur, Uhlmann and other makes. This concerns me with regard to whipping, flick action. It seems that this mask sits farther FORWARD on the head, or it is less deep. Comments please?

I noticed my LP mask sits more forward on my head than I like - turns out I was missing a rivet. That was the only issue I've had with the LP mask.

[fencerchica]

I used to use exactly that mask, the Triplette 183. I know what the original poster means about how comfortable it is -- it's so light, and if you've got the right head shape it really fits great.

But that doesn't mean much considering that you can almost dent it just by looking at the damn thing. Back when I got it I was used to even more crappy club gear so I didn't think anything of it and just tapped the dents back out when they happened, but when I learned better, I felt unsettled and switched to the LP contour fit.

The LP contour fits me better than the Triplette ever did, and after about four years, hits that would've put a marble-sized dent into my old Triplette do nothing but chip the LP's paint a little. The upgrade was so worth it.

I don't know much about the Absolute masks, but I've heard much better of them than of anything Triplette has, so I'd go with the Absolute.

[DJ Apostrophe]

Almost every time a 'Which mask should I buy?' thread pops up, I post this anecdote... I find it appropriate and it hits home... When my first mask was nearing the end of its useful life, I asked someone what they thought... Their response: "It's your face man, don't mess around with your face. Buy an FIE mask." So I did... I bought an Uhlmann FIE mask and it has treated me great for the 4 or so years I've owned it... The first time I put it on, I could tell that it was much safer and more comfortable over the cheap entry level mask I had.

Find an FIE mask you like (do not go near Triplette for reasons mentioned above) and buy it. Lots of people like the LP comfort fit mask... give that a shot (and if you fence foil, get the x-change mask as there was a rule passed that makes the bib target starting 1/1/2009 (at least in FIE stuff, though you can expect the USFA to follow suit on that as well)).

-w