Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

larkmaj · 02-02-2008, 09:38 PM

There's an old thread on this discussing opinions, but there weren't many people at the time that had used them. It's been a while since then so I was thinking about buying one. Has anybody been using one for a while. What's your opinion?

gatsby · 02-03-2008, 02:57 AM

i saw one and immediately thought

thats my next mask! i might even be able to wash it regularly!

that being said, i havent used one =[

CvilleFencer · 02-04-2008, 11:26 AM

I have been using mine since last sum nats and it is still going strong. My opinion remains pretty much unchanged with two exceptions:

1. The velcro does not stay put as well I it used to and sometimes can come undone when I put my mask on.

2. I would like to have more padding for the top of the head. If I get the "webbing" tight enough to form a good helmet hammock to sit on my head, then the somewhat weakened velcro pops loose when I put it on. As such I keep the webbing a little loser than I would prefer and that means the inside top of the mask only has a very thing layer of material between my head. Hence the desire for a bit more padding.

I still love it. Breaths great, very easy to see out of and it is super light weight. The removable bib should mean a very long life cycle, adaptability to rules chances and is easily washable. The mesh is still super strong, the Xchange system has taken several hard epee shots right on the seem (enough to peel the coating off) without failure or denting. Overall I have been very happy with it after about 8 months of fairly hard use.

KidLazy · 02-04-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

The mesh is still super strong, the Xchange system has taken several hard epee shots right on the seem (enough to peel the coating off) without failure or denting.

Really? After a few months of use, my friend's has two dents in it already.

parrythis · 02-04-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KidLazy

Really? After a few months of use, my friend's has two dents in it already.

Tell your friend to stop lunging with his face.

Seriously, I have had one for about 2 months and I love it. It is, IMO, worth every penny. It is very comfortable. I have not had a problem with the velcro, but I don't detach/re-attach it often. There is a rivet that seems to scrape my ear when I put the mask on, but it has not annoyed me enough to actually look for the problem and solve it.

KidLazy · 02-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrythis

Tell your friend to stop lunging with his face.

Well, he is a foilist.

I just text him and found out he had it since Dallas back in November (so 3 months of use). Those two dents are in his left-chin area.

catwood1 · 02-04-2008, 01:12 PM

I've had mine for a few months, and have not done a huge amount of fencing with it yet. That being said, I love it! The increased vision / hearing / air flow is great. Also, with the bib becoming target soon, I see no reason for a foil and epee fencing to buy a mask other than the exchange.

I would rather buy a 200$ mask and another 60$ bib, than 2 seperate 150-200$ masks.

jkdjeff · 02-04-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrythis

Tell your friend to stop lunging with his face.

You just caused my coworkers to give me some funny looks, and I had no way to explain why I was laughing.

InFerrumVeritas · 02-04-2008, 04:43 PM

Well, I just got my mask ten min. ago, and will fence with it tonight. I'll post my thoughts then.

InFerrumVeritas · 02-04-2008, 10:53 PM

Sorry for the double post.

So I did use the mask tonight, and I absolutely love it. First, it is comfortable as all hell. It fits my head great after I fully adjusted it. It took about 10 min or so to get it just right.

Second, I love how light it seems. The lack of extra cloth areas, expecially on the sides, makes it seem very light. It far cooler than any other mask I've used.

I took about 7 mask hits (fencing foil), and not a single chip in the paint, even after a rather rough one that jarred me rather well.

Alex_Paul · 02-05-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFerrumVeritas

I took about 7 mask hits (fencing foil), and not a single chip in the paint, even after a rather rough one that jarred me rather well.

FYI it is not paint it is a baked on nylon coating which is unique to Leon Paul masks and why it doesn't chip like paint.

Glad you like it...

In response to some comments we are working on a wicking layer backed with thicker memory foam for the padding. This will be retro fit-able to existing x change masks when released.

DangerMouse · 02-05-2008, 02:34 PM

As long as you are updating the insides of the masks, are you going to use a more durable material?

My LP FIE Comfort Fit mask (the old one, not the X-Change) has been by far the most durable mesh/bib of any mask I've owned. The insides, however, are not as durable and, while not a safety issue, it's a bit icky in there. I would even sacrifice some of the nice feeling material for something a bit more durable.

HDG · 02-05-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse

As long as you are updating the insides of the masks, are you going to use a more durable material?

My LP FIE Comfort Fit mask (the old one, not the X-Change) has been by far the most durable mesh/bib of any mask I've owned. The insides, however, are not as durable and, while not a safety issue, it's a bit icky in there. I would even sacrifice some of the nice feeling material for something a bit more durable.

I'm getting ready to spring to have mine re-bibbed...

larkmaj · 02-05-2008, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the good responses. I ordered one this morning and looking forward to it.

I've got 2 questions for Alex. Will there be some sort of announcement when this wicking layer comes out? I'm sure those that have one would like to know they can upgrade their mask.

Also, the website says expect 2 weeks before ship. Does this apply to all sizes? My point is I ordered a large and I wanted to know if I had to wait that long for it.

Villadsen · 02-06-2008, 03:53 PM

This mask Roxxors my Boxxors, yeah.... My XL size was back ordered for almost a month, and resulted in my 2nd signature, but this mask is great. Very comfortable when you get the insides right and feels like theres nothing covering your head. Ventilation is great and takes hits like a champ, the kind of epee hits that knock you back a bit.

Great to hear about the new retrofits in the works i was thinking about making some of my own.

Is there a rule against putting a 40mm fan in the forehead of a mask?

InFerrumVeritas · 02-06-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_Paul

FYI it is not paint it is a baked on nylon coating which is unique to Leon Paul masks and why it doesn't chip like paint.

Glad you like it...

In response to some comments we are working on a wicking layer backed with thicker memory foam for the padding. This will be retro fit-able to existing x change masks when released.

Well, I will certainly order the memory foam wicking layer when it comes out. If I ever have to buy annother mask, I'm going with this hand's down. I kept my older mask as a practice mask, but I just don't want to wear it now.

CvilleFencer · 02-07-2008, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villadsen

Is there a rule against putting a 40mm fan in the forehead of a mask?

I can't think of a specific rule against it off the top of my head but is does seem to go against the rule of good sense... I am guessing you are talking about something like a PC fan? Keep in mind that they are not screened to keep hair from getting wrapped up in the blades/motor, are not water/sweat proof, are not hardened against impact and not made to run or work for long in a highly wet and corrosive environment. Even if you can find one that is, then you have to find a power supply that meets the same requirements and is not going to short out and zap you in the head.

For what it is worth a while back I seem to remember someone (Zivkovic?) playing with something similar, but engineered with this application in mind. I don't remember what came of it, but it may be worth calling around if you are really into the idea.

Some slightly lower tech but less gremlin prone ways of keeping cool are an under armor skullcap or a cold, wet cloth/bandanna worn around the neck with the thick and wet part at the base of the skull. I think I have also seen some more evolved versions of this classic idea used by runners and cyclists so maybe check around at your local sporting goods store?

Barry Paul · 02-07-2008, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villadsen

Is there a rule against putting a 40mm fan in the forehead of a mask?

No.

My brother has had a computer fan in his see thru mask for four year. runs on a pp9 rechargeable battery. I subsequently fitted one in my mask which I use occasionally.

Alex_Paul · 02-07-2008, 05:05 AM

I think most sizes are back ordered I am afraid... It is the bib production that is holding us up, they are a right PITA to make!!

RE padding, we will make some kind of announcement when the padding is released.

Someone mentioned durability... What are you finding wears out? Durable is unfortunatelysomething like nylon but it is not very comfortable. Really we wanted to go for the ultimate in comfort and if that means paying $15 or $20 to replace the padding each season we thought that was a reasonable price to pay for a nice comfy lining that wicks sweat away from your face. If that isn't what people want then we can re assess our goals.

On the topic of fans, we have tried fans in masks but only small ones, one of the main problems is the whine which is very annoying , that and to push enough air to be useful you need a bigger fan than is easy to mount in there.

InFerrumVeritas · 02-07-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_Paul

I think most sizes are back ordered I am afraid... It is the bib production that is holding us up, they are a right PITA to make!!

RE padding, we will make some kind of announcement when the padding is released.

Someone mentioned durability... What are you finding wears out? Durable is unfortunatelysomething like nylon but it is not very comfortable. Really we wanted to go for the ultimate in comfort and if that means paying $15 or $20 to replace the padding each season we thought that was a reasonable price to pay for a nice comfy lining that wicks sweat away from your face. If that isn't what people want then we can re assess our goals.

On the topic of fans, we have tried fans in masks but only small ones, one of the main problems is the whine which is very annoying , that and to push enough air to be useful you need a bigger fan than is easy to mount in there.

For somthing a comfy as this mask is, I'd rather order new lining every season. Perhaps you can make a more durable lining that lasts longer, and keep the current linging/lining with memory foam as "comfort fit" or somthing?