Ultralight Lame Comparison and Cleaning

[Delta]

I may be in the market for an ultralight. Durability and price are my top two priorities. I was at TCA's website, and their advertised life expectancy for their ultralight was impressive to me (3-5 years). Is there anyone who's had it for around that long and mind vouching for it?
Also, I think I read somewhere that some ultralights are sprayed with conductive material rather than directly woven. True or false? If true, which lames are sprayed? Do the different methods affect the longevity of the lames/ how one cares for them?
Lastly, I own one of the now (phasing out) BG edge ultralights, and I'm afraid to do anything to try to clean it (in case it may be made of the sprayed material I heard was not great for lames). It barely squeaked by inspection last competition. Does anyone know if washing the edge ultralights in water, or any other sort of solution will be enough to bring it back to competency and happy armorers? what works?

[bobb121]

I have had my TCA ultralite for sabre for over a year, and it still passes. I have been told that the material that makes it conductive is applied through a chemical process. I don't know if it's sprayed, but it's not woven from the description that I got.

[fencerbill]

Contact BG and get their recommendations for cleaning. Anything else might void the warranty. Wait, did I just make a joke?

[brtech]

Right now, I think the LP Ultralight is the best. They last a long time.

Triplette's are okay, but not as good.

The old Edge appears to be the same material as the Triplette. The new Edge appears to be somewhat similar to the LP. The old Edge lasts about the same as the Triplette. We don't have enough experience with the new Edge.

[HDG]

Right now, I think the LP Ultralight is the best. They last a long time.

Triplette's are okay, but not as good.

The old Edge appears to be the same material as the Triplette. The new Edge appears to be somewhat similar to the LP. The old Edge lasts about the same as the Triplette. We don't have enough experience with the new Edge.

Can you provide a link for the Edge Lamé? Merely curious.

[brtech]

http://www.blue-gauntlet.com/store/products/282

[whtouche]

My LP ultralight sabre lame, which I took excellent care of, lasted less than a year before parts of it (including the entire right arm) went completely 100% dead.

[Delta]

did BG use the same links and switch out the old product for the new? To me, they look exactly the same and their product description doesn't really say much as to what's improved and/or new about it.

Thanks!

[brtech]

The old one used a material that is relatively dull beige with vertical stripes, similar to what Triplette uses. The new one is shiny, more gold looking, similar to the LP. I have no idea if they are the SAME material, they just look similar.

BG refers to the new one as "silky"

[Chuck F.]

My advice, go with LP for the ultralight lames.

In the past, I have spent money at just about every supplier out there. Now, I have reached the point where I simply won't do business with certain vendors. In some cases, there are quality concerns. Other times it is because of service. On rare occasions, there are ethical considerations.

I now shop with maybe 3-5 vendors only. For an ultralight, LP.

[remise]

As you probably know, sabre lames usually go dead first under the arms. My LP is doing great after 2 + years. I highly recommend them. My kids fenced foil with the LP ultra-lites for 2-3 times per week. They are 3 years old and still pass.

[whiteandbluefencer]

I use a Triplette Super Duty lame (blue, of course). I just washed it for the first time, and I've had it since January. I haven't had any problems with conductivity, but of course my lame isn't very old at all (and while at college usually only gets used once a week). One strange thing I have noticed though is that the sections of the lame that are hit often (in other words the front) are very rough. It's as if the metalic fibers have been raised. I've never felt another lame that feels as rough as mine.

Another strange thing I've noticed about the Heavy Duty lame is that the metalic fibers are super shiny. In some pictures my lame is practically gleeming compared to my clubmates' lames. This lame seems to reflect lots of light.

[Delta]

brtech - thanks for the distinction. unfortunately, the tag on my lame says " silky silver light", but it does have the vertical stripes and appears more bronze than gold (might be with age, but I think it was pretty much the original color).

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations, but the price difference is a bit much for me to really take LP as an option (currently).