Click Here to Help the Noob on a Budget

[Little Bit]

A thread like this may already be out there, but I don't have time to look. The deal is, I'm kind of new to fencing (been fencing about 5 or 6 months) but I love it, and I'm saving up to buy equipment. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for cheap, but good, equipment?

[SJCFU#2]

Vendors that immediately come to mind include Absolute, Fencing Post and Fencing.net. There are others your choice may be influenced by your location (cross-country shipping usually cost a little bit more). Most offer some form of beginners packages, although they tend to be very basic and you might want to consider a few upgrades if you can afford them.

You may also check on who your club orders equipment from. Maybe you can even piggy back on their order, which should help cut shipping cost and may qualify for a club discount.

As far as what equipment to get - it's a question of what your needs are and what you can afford. FIE equipment is not required for USFA competitions, however if you can afford one piece of FIE equipment than it should probably be the mask. Also remember that for competition you will need at least two working weapons and body cords.

Another alternative (if it happens to be convenient) is to go to a major competition. There are usually a number of vendors at any National events and most regional events will have at least one vendor present. Then you can actually look at things and try them on for size (although their selection may not be as extensive as you might like - they can usually only pack so much on the truck).

[LastLeftyofEL]

Starter packs from Blue Gauntlet come to mind. Those are kinda cheap. Avoid Leon Paul. It would cost about $100 or more for a standard Electric Foil from them.

[gatsby]

try the leon paul usfa line
its priced about the same as house-brand kit

but i dont have any personal experience with it, so who knows

[IvorDarcy]

Personally I go straight for the top end stuff. I see no point in buying the "cheap but good" stuff if I am just going to upgrade later anyway. When I was on a budget years ago I bought in this order;
Allstar glove (who wants to wear a smelly club one?)
Allstar FIE mask
Allstar FIE Jacket
Soudet Breeches/Knickers
2 Allstar Epees and Body Cords
Adidas Fencing shoes

You cant beat quality in the long run. I still have my Allstar and Soudet gear which show very little wear after 20 odd years!!! I recently bought Leon Paul "Sydney" range jacket/breeches which will do me until I drop dead!
If you are going to stick with Fencing then you will not regret buying the best gear, even if it is piece by piece.

[InFerrumVeritas]

If you're on a budget, F.net's starter electric kit isn't bad. BG's cheap masks are rather durable, but I also reccomend going for a FIE mask.

Jackets, plastron, and knickers can be where you cut costs to some extent (not too much), as more costly usually means lighter (350N is pretty common, and realitively safe).

[Queen_Maleah]

A thread like this may already be out there, but I don't have time to look. The deal is, I'm kind of new to fencing (been fencing about 5 or 6 months) but I love it, and I'm saving up to buy equipment. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for cheap, but good, equipment?

All I can suggest is go to where my club goes.
They're cheaper than other places I have seen.
I do suggest you get the STM.
I must warn you...DO NOT BUY THE $40 SWORD ON FENCING STAR!!!
IT'S CHEAP AND IT WILL BREAK EASILY!!!

here are the sites: www.fencingstar.com
www.thefencingpost.com