Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

InFerrumVeritas · 06-27-2008, 02:58 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has used the LP Ice padding for the inside of their contour fit (and I would assume X-Change) masks. Is it really more comfortable than the standard padding? Cooler? Worth the extra?

Nolano · 06-27-2008, 03:36 PM

Hmm... My Xchange has the new, thinner and smaller style pads, like the ice padding, but it seems to be a different color.
I know that my X-change is the coolest, lightest, most comfortable mask I have ever used.

Alex_Paul · 06-29-2008, 10:34 AM

The new padding is the same as the new skinny shape but features memory foam in the chin and top and is lined with the same Transpor as some of our jackets...

It is definitely better but whether it is worthwhile is up to you.

D'Artagnan1673 · 07-01-2008, 11:40 AM

All this talk of the X-Change is getting me a little too excited

Other than mesh color, are there vast differneces between the regular X-Change and the Titanium model? I can see from the pictures that the interior is exclusively black (not that psychedelic design which I don't particularly care for).

Nolano · 07-02-2008, 01:12 AM

Both the regular and the titanium have all black interiors. The difference is entirely the coloring, AFAIK.

Alex_Paul · 07-02-2008, 06:44 AM

The difference is indeed purely cosmetic.

InFerrumVeritas · 07-02-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_Paul

The difference is indeed purely cosmetic.

I find that rather disapointing considering the price difference.

erooMynohtnA · 07-02-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFerrumVeritas

I find that rather disapointing considering the price difference.

No kidding.

HDG · 07-02-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFerrumVeritas

I find that rather disapointing considering the price difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erooMynohtnA

No kidding.

It is odd that the price difference b/w it and the regular FIE exchange is double the price difference b/w the regular and colored FIE contour fit masks. For my part, however, I prefer plain ol' black.

Alex_Paul · 07-03-2008, 06:15 AM

Small runs of a coloured nylon coating costs more to do as this is outsourced and there is a setup fee for each colour.

The regular FIE are sold in larger numbers than the x change so the extra cost is somewhat mitigated.

Regular coloured masks are done in one colour and then spray painted matt black here to reduce internal reflection. The white x change ones are nylon coated once in white and then have a second coat of matt black nylon on the inside effectively doubling the cost of the nylon coating.

Unfortunately the cost has to be passed on I am afraid...

Sorry

D'Artagnan1673 · 07-03-2008, 03:55 PM

To the Pauls,

The X-Change mask has excellent reviews, and lots of them. Evidently this mask has taken a lot of market share in my three year hiatus. My only problem I can see in the design is one that has been expressed before; that is the short bib size.

As one who has recently experienced the effects of a stiff foil sliding up my bib and hitting my throat, I am being extra conscientious in terms of bib size. I would be curious if your company is planning to extend the length of the bib in future releases. Apart from this one problem, I would say this will be the mask I purchase when I retire my C. 2002 Uhlmann.

Thanks,

Alex_Paul · 07-03-2008, 07:22 PM

The bib looking short is an optical illusion caused by the curved sides of the bib I think.

They are 5mm shorter than the maximum legal length which is I think off the top of my head is 120mm.

Lots of people have mentioned this, maybe we need to put something on the products in the site stating this.

I think the shape of the bib on the new shape x-change is more natural and chest hugging than a standard mask and reduces the chance of a blade getting under TBH.

Nolano · 07-04-2008, 02:38 AM

I've actually noticed that it sticks to my chest well, and I've barely even noticed bib hits. I'd have to have my head tilted very high up to get under..

whiteandbluefencer · 07-08-2008, 01:33 AM

I have an FIE contour-fit clearly one of the two-nylon-coating-doubling-costs one (lol), and as for the material which covers the lining...

1. I rather like the psychedelic design. In fact, I was disappointed when my club ordered two of the basic, Non-FIE masks towards the end of last semester and upon opening the box I saw that they were lined in black. Why'd Leon Paul stop using it?

Of course, the color of the lining has no bearing on the performance of the mask...

2. My favorite part about the lining is that it doesn't hold the smell of sweat. My mask doesn't stink! And it dries quickly

3. I also like the fact that the lining (and bib) do an amazing job at making the bib comfortable... and yet are thinner than that found in many other masks. In fact, when I first got my mask in the mail (first mail I've ever received from England!) I was shocked at how lean and light the whole mask felt.

4. As for the shape/length of the bib... I think other masks have it all wrong. All bibs should be like this one; it actually fits the neck and doesn't seem to have any extra material.

5. No matter what, I can't attend a tournament without getting several complements/comments/questions about my mask...

P.S.- Here's a picture that my friend took of my mask while we were at a tournament.

Barry Paul · 07-08-2008, 05:30 AM

If you think the lining in your standard contour mask is lean/thin try the new ICE paddings/fittings in our exchange bib mask.

whiteandbluefencer · 07-08-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Paul

If you think the lining in your standard contour mask is lean/thin try the new ICE paddings/fittings in our exchange bib mask.

Hehehe, I will when we all need to buy new masks to conform to this "lame bib" rule. I'm sure your new ICE padding is awesome.

D'Artagnan1673 · 07-08-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteandbluefencer

I have an FIE contour-fit clearly one of the two-nylon-coating-doubling-costs one (lol), and as for the material which covers the lining...

1. I rather like the psychedelic design. In fact, I was disappointed when my club ordered two of the basic, Non-FIE masks towards the end of last semester and upon opening the box I saw that they were lined in black. Why'd Leon Paul stop using it?

Of course, the color of the lining has no bearing on the performance of the mask...

2. My favorite part about the lining is that it doesn't hold the smell of sweat. My mask doesn't stink! And it dries quickly

3. I also like the fact that the lining (and bib) do an amazing job at making the bib comfortable... and yet are thinner than that found in many other masks. In fact, when I first got my mask in the mail (first mail I've ever received from England!) I was shocked at how lean and light the whole mask felt.

4. As for the shape/length of the bib... I think other masks have it all wrong. All bibs should be like this one; it actually fits the neck and doesn't seem to have any extra material.

5. No matter what, I can't attend a tournament without getting several complements/comments/questions about my mask...

P.S.- Here's a picture that my friend took of my mask while we were at a tournament.

You'd think I'd like the design considering one of my favorites bands when growing were the Psychedelic Furs, a product of the British movements of the 1980s.

I'm real funny about mask appearance. I was perfectly content with my Allstar until I saw the dark blue interior that Uhlmann was using at the time ( I know they switch back and forth between dark blue and sky blue). One thing I like is how the LP and Prieur have their national flag on the mask. It just adds class.

I am so shallow...

telkanuru · 07-09-2008, 04:17 AM

I'm personally a big fan of how my mask doesn't fall of my head and stops my face from getting stabbed.

It's also red.

whiteandbluefencer · 07-09-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telkanuru

I'm personally a big fan of how my mask doesn't fall of my head and stops my face from getting stabbed.

It's also red.

Ooooooh, red! Hmmm, actually this has lead me to wonder exactly how many of the non-traditionally colored masks are actually sold. I mean, I've only ever met one fencer with a colored mask (not Leon Paul by the way). Course, maybe this is because I haven't been to enough tournaments yet. Would one of the Paul fellows be able to give a ball park number on how many colored masks they actually sell (say maybe in a month)? Which color's more popular?

bob46 · 07-09-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteandbluefencer

I have an FIE contour-fit clearly one of the two-nylon-coating-doubling-costs one (lol), and as for the material which covers the lining...

1. I rather like the psychedelic design. In fact, I was disappointed when my club ordered two of the basic, Non-FIE masks towards the end of last semester and upon opening the box I saw that they were lined in black. Why'd Leon Paul stop using it?

Of course, the color of the lining has no bearing on the performance of the mask...

2. My favorite part about the lining is that it doesn't hold the smell of sweat. My mask doesn't stink! And it dries quickly

3. I also like the fact that the lining (and bib) do an amazing job at making the bib comfortable... and yet are thinner than that found in many other masks. In fact, when I first got my mask in the mail (first mail I've ever received from England!) I was shocked at how lean and light the whole mask felt.

4. As for the shape/length of the bib... I think other masks have it all wrong. All bibs should be like this one; it actually fits the neck and doesn't seem to have any extra material.

5. No matter what, I can't attend a tournament without getting several complements/comments/questions about my mask...

P.S.- Here's a picture that my friend took of my mask while we were at a tournament.

I have a plain black one of those!!!