Saber Lame Help

[takenosg]

Hi. I'm starting in saber, and my coach has all the gear that I need but a lame, which he doesnt have one big enough for me. Therefore I'm looking into purchasing an absolute saber lame, and currently wear a size 54 basic absolute front zip jacket. I'm not completely familiar with how lames fit over the jacket as I mainly fence epee. My question to y'all is should I also purchase a size 54 Saber lame or should I purchase a size up? Thanks for all of your help.

[chinbeard]

Probably you would want to go a size (or two) up. I'm not a sabreur myself, but I've heard that tight-fitting clothes are not as important in sabre, and it's common for people to wear lames that are a little big.

[Purple Fencer]

I would go to a 56 (one size up), especially if the jacket itself fits well. Jackets and lames have the same sizing.

[fencerbill]

A major reason for not getting a tight fitting Sabre Lame is that the shoulders move.

Best advice is to try sizes until you get one where you can make unhindered head parries.

It is not just size, it is how you can move. From make to make, the best size for you may be different.

[demon_fencer]

If you are purchasing the lame from the same maker as your jacket - you purchase the same size. Lames are designed to fit over the jacket and will have the same sizing number even though there is more room. If you are getting it from another manufacturer, then definitely try them on first. With the same size number, my Infinity lame is barely legal, my old Allstar jacket is cut very exact and the Leon Paul is roomy.

[fencerbill]

If you are purchasing the lame from the same maker as your jacket - you purchase the same size. Lames are designed to fit over the jacket and will have the same sizing number even though there is more room. If you are getting it from another manufacturer, then definitely try them on first. With the same size number, my Infinity lame is barely legal, my old Allstar jacket is cut very exact and the Leon Paul is roomy.

Do you fence Sabre? Your advice is fine for Foil, but that doesn't mean it is best for Sabre.

You have to have a jacket/Lame combination that doesn't restrict your movements for Sabre.

Getting the same size may work fine for you. It has never worked for me.

[Shi no Tenshi]

I definately feel your pain. Being of the large chested variety myself, I got a custom made sabre lame. I measured myself in my jacket, and got it made to those specs. It did cost more, but I'd say it was worth it to have well fitting gear.

I am, however, also quite tall, and needed longer arms as well as a large chest and broad shoulders. If you don't have the other two issues, you might be able to cheat......

[demon_fencer]

Do you fence Sabre? Your advice is fine for Foil, but that doesn't mean it is best for Sabre.

You have to have a jacket/Lame combination that doesn't restrict your movements for Sabre.

Getting the same size may work fine for you. It has never worked for me.

If you bothered to check my public profile - you would have seen that yes, I have fenced sabre for several years. Also, if you had bothered to read my post before you started picking on it, you would have also seen that I said lames from the SAME manufacturer are designed to fit over a jacket of the same size.

Its not my fault you can't fit into the lames as the manufacturers have made them.

[Purple Fencer]

If you bothered to check my public profile - you would have seen that yes, I have fenced sabre for several years. Also, if you had bothered to read my post before you started picking on it, you would have also seen that I said lames from the SAME manufacturer are designed to fit over a jacket of the same size.

Its not my fault you can't fit into the lames as the manufacturers have made them.

I've never found that to be true re the sizing...a size 48 jacket and a size 48 lame are the same size, from what I've seen over the years. That's why I recommend going up 1 size...especially in sabre.

Who pissed in YOUR Cheerios this morning?

[fencerbill]

Glad you have the good sense to also fence Sabre.

It is not just the size. The amount of stretch may be different for the jacket and Lame. Most stainless Lames really don't have any stretch at all. If you wear them over a jacket with stretch, it may be restrictive. That was the unfortunate situation with the first Lame that I ordered by mail.

Buying the same size may work for 8 or 9 out of 10 fencers. All I'm saying is that I recommend trying the Lame over the jacket you will be wearing or you may be disappointed.

You seem to guarantee that the same size will be perfect for everyone.

If you bothered to check my public profile - you would have seen that yes, I have fenced sabre for several years. Also, if you had bothered to read my post before you started picking on it, you would have also seen that I said lames from the SAME manufacturer are designed to fit over a jacket of the same size.

Its not my fault you can't fit into the lames as the manufacturers have made them.

[Purple Fencer]

Glad you have the good sense to also fence Sabre.


You seem to guarantee that the same size will be perfect for everyone.

Speaking as a vendor.....i WISH!!!! I've gotten fairly good at figuring out the proper size if there;s a body diff.