Epee Wiring Choice

[chinbeard]

I'm about to order a pre-wired StM epee blade from either FDN or AF. I know that FDN uses Leon Paul wiring, and I probably wouldn't even bother asking this question if the knickers I wanted were also available at FDN, but I'd rather only pay once for shipping. I researched this question, and found that the default AF SOCKETS aren't the nicest, but I wasn't able to find out anything about their wiring. Would LP wiring be significantly better than AF?

[Mergs]

Not sure what your concerns about differences in wiring from vendors is. It's pretty much a wash between them.

[brtech]

I think AF does decent wiring. Don't worry about it. It's the components that matter the most. I do think that the Uhlmann or FWF 2 pin sockets are better than the knock-offs, so I would upgrade there. I think the new FWF barrel design is quite good, and if you use German components, I'd specify that. Please keep in mind that you can't put more than 2 layers of tape on that barrel or you will risk having it hang on a weight on the smaller end of the scale.

[tdwg83]

I think AF does decent wiring. Don't worry about it. It's the components that matter the most. I do think that the Uhlmann or FWF 2 pin sockets are better than the knock-offs, so I would upgrade there. I think the new FWF barrel design is quite good, and if you use German components, I'd specify that. Please keep in mind that you can't put more than 2 layers of tape on that barrel or you will risk having it hang on a weight on the smaller end of the scale.

Since we are talking epee....

CB,
I don't think there is going to be a significant difference on the vender's ability to wire blades. However if you are talking about the difference in tips consider this:

1. German seems to be more popular. If you need parts from and armourer at a tournament. They will most certainly have plenty of german parts.

2. If you fence foil, LP screws are interchangable between foil and epee tips of the same type. GT screws for foil and epee are the same. I don't know if the same screws work for ALL LP tips.

[brtech]

...snip....
If you fence foil, LP screws are interchangable between foil and epee tips of the same type. GT screws for foil and epee are the same. I don't know if the same screws work for ALL LP tips.

One of the really nice things about LP is that there is only one screw, and it works in all of their tips. You can't use LP screws in anything other than an LP foil. As you note, once you put an LP screw in any epee point, you have to continue to use LP screws. There is no downside to that other than you always need a supply of LP screws.

[SJCFU#2]

I generally recommend sticking with one standard, and there is a reason why German parts tend to be more popular (consistently smoother travel). However unlike with foil tips, épée tip parts from different manufacturers tend to be somewhat interchangeable. The one exception is probably LP tip screws. They fit quite nicely into a German or French tip - in fact people sometimes put LP screws into a French or German tip that otherwise keeps loosing screws - however once a LP screw has gone in there can be no going back.

As far as wiring is concerned - either of the vendors you've mentioned can do a decent job, however sooner or later you should probably learn to do it for yourself (not only is it a survival skill, if you're decent at it then people will actually pay you to wire their blades for them).

One final note regarding sockets - if you don't like the default AF sockets then you probably won't like the basic FDN socket either. Consider upgrading to the German socket (AF) or FWF socket (FDN).

[Craig]

I'm about to order a pre-wired StM epee blade from either FDN or AF. I know that FDN uses Leon Paul wiring, and I probably wouldn't even bother asking this question if the knickers I wanted were also available at FDN, but I'd rather only pay once for shipping. I researched this question, and found that the default AF SOCKETS aren't the nicest, but I wasn't able to find out anything about their wiring. Would LP wiring be significantly better than AF?

To answer a question about the wiring:
The standard point that comes with the StM epee blades is the Leon Paul point using the FWF epee wire. (The StM blades like to strip off the cotton that LP uses for their wire insulation.)

You can upgrade to either the LP GT epee point or the FWF German Epee point for an additional $6.00.

For sockets, if you don't like the standard absolute socket then you won't like our standard one either. Upgrading to either the Leon Paul or FWF (German) sockets are a fairly common request for our complete epee builds.

You can always email us at sales@fencing.net with direct questions about the products at the FDN shop.

Regards,
Craig

[Nolano]

Lp epee screws are pretty much the best, I've found. I've had almost no issue with them falling out, and examing two sets of screws that went through similar use, with a magnifying glass, the threads on the LP's were in great shape, the others were pretty much mashed up.

[Purple Fencer]

Lp epee screws are pretty much the best, I've found. I've had almost no issue with them falling out, and examing two sets of screws that went through similar use, with a magnifying glass, the threads on the LP's were in great shape, the others were pretty much mashed up.

Better steel and better thread cut...