To fix or buy another that is the question

[seak]

So I bought a saber mask off of ebay in the early fall (hey I'm poor and it was new), shockingly it's already having issues in that the strap has ripped off on one side, and there are some small tears in the lame material.

I am going to Chicago next week and will either need to repair this mask or buy a new one (both can be done at the competition as I will be there for two days prior to fencing). So the question should I just get the bib patched/replaced and the strap re-attached? And about how much should I expect that to cost me?

Or should I just admit I bought a cheap mask, and that it's probably not going to last very long w/o constant repair, bite the bullet and buy a new one? If I spring for the new one an recommendations on what to get (keeping in mind I'm poor)? With that does anyone have any experience with the Absolute FIE saber mask? It seems cheaper then anything else FIE, but contour fit type padding etc might be nice (yeah I'm lusting after the leon paul x-change, although even the removable liner ulhman would prob be nice).

Thanks

[SJCFU#2]

It sounds like even if you do repair the thing it will probably need more repairs before long. Normally I would recommend cutting your losses and simply getting a new, better mask however in this case you may consider patching it up for now and saving for a really good replacement.

How did you manage to start teaing your mask up already? I thought that you only started dabbling in saber a few months ago.

[KD5MDK]

I have a BG FIE Sabre mask I bought in Jan 2005. After 3 years everything in is fine shape except the back strap elastic is starting to go.

[AlphaFire X5]

I would not recommend the Absolute FIE saber mask, even if it is FIE. One of our assistant coaches bought one, and after a year or so of light use, the mesh is already starting to separate in a few places, and will probably fail the punch test soon. And this is from cuts, not point attacks!

[Mergs]

Always fix. Buying is too easy!

[mousers11]

2 options ?
buy a new one or increase your life cover
repair is not one of them

[HDG]

2 options ?
buy a new one or increase your life cover
repair is not one of them

I don't think a broken backstrap or torn lame bib covering qualifies as life-threatening by any stretch of the imagination.

[MaddMatt05]

2 options ?
buy a new one or increase your life cover
repair is not one of them

Thats not really true with a sabre mask. Ofter you just have to fix a conduction problem, thats not really a safety issue.

[seak]

How did you manage to start teaing your mask up already? I thought that you only started dabbling in saber a few months ago.

I've been doing it 2-3 times a week electric since August, but yeah I didn't expect it to wear out nearly that fast.

If it's going to cost like 50 bucks to repair now and then I'm going to need another repair job or new mask in another 5 months, I think I'd prefer to just bite the bullet. But if the repairs will make the mask last another year or two then it becomes worth it.

Not broke just poor, and that's sadly not likely to change anytime in the next 5 years

[fencerbill]

By strap you mean the elastic strap in back?

Fix it.

About the tears, get them quick before the material frays.

You do have to consider the safey aspects of small tears as well as the conductivity.

This is how I have done it for more Sabre masks than I can count. Get a small piece of fabric, about half an inch larger than the tear, and slide it through and spread it out behind the tear. Better if it is Lame material, but not necessary if the material has not frayed. That is why you do it as soon as you find the tear. A patch behind the front layer works better than a sewed on patch.

You can just sew it in, may need a curved needle. For me it is quicker to use a glue gun. A small one is about $5. You have to get the glue between the back of the original layer but on top of the patch. Use as little as possible but make sure you have glued all around the tear. If you get any on the top of the Lame material, you have just blown the conductivity.

Done right, and you need luck as much as skill, you will still have conductivity and a safe repair.