a question of size

[dookoo]

Hi all,
I am new to fencing and have a couple of questions

notably, i am larger than average ( a life time of being a number 8 in rugby, americans think linebacker , in addition off season i competed in a mix of martial arts at a national level) I am 6,1 and 110 kg ( 242lbs ) , my first impressions are that this is heavy for a fencer ??

any info
best equip size fit etc - stretch ??
prefered weapon based on body type( i like foil (tic tac) and sabre( happy slap) - sorry epeeist - first impressions)

any basic noob advise that you may wish to impart

sorry if this has been covered before


aussie noob

[Inquartata]

Still not as large as Justin Meehan.

Yeah, I know, that means nothing to you. Big American sabre fencer/referee.

Aaaanyway...


Weapon---do what appeals to you. Do them both, if you like. You need to move a lot more in sabre, but I am not one who assumes that all big men are slow. If you aren't, sabre will suit you. Foil is more deliberative, and generally not as fast except perhaps at the upper levels.

Also, sabre is a lot more user-friendly. No moving parts to fix and keep working within finicky tolerances, not frustrating refusal of points to set and turn on a light.

You may have noticed, I'm a sabre partisan, so cum grano salis, if you please.

PS As a favor---well, see my signature.

[Nolano]

You're about the same height/weight as me, but yours is probably more muscle than mine...

[Morale Officer]

Hi all,
I am new to fencing and have a couple of questions

notably, i am larger than average ( a life time of being a number 8 in rugby, americans think linebacker , in addition off season i competed in a mix of martial arts at a national level) I am 6,1 and 110 kg ( 242lbs ) , my first impressions are that this is heavy for a fencer ??

any info
best equip size fit etc - stretch ??
prefered weapon based on body type( i like foil (tic tac) and sabre( happy slap) - sorry epeeist - first impressions)

any basic noob advise that you may wish to impart

sorry if this has been covered before


aussie noob

I myself am a rather large woman (5'9, about 240lbs). It's a little awkward being the 'largest' person in my club, but I don't let it bother me. I have never been a small woman and when I fenced in college (some 10 years ago) I was not a small woman either (still over 200lbs)(the Rugby team actually wanted me to play for them). My coach in college was actually a larger woman (although much shorter than I...nearly a head shorter and probably about 180 or 200) and managed to fence for years (and coach and was an Olympic Ref in the 80's). She actually said that I was better suited for Sabre (as a larger woman). I had started Sabre, but never got very far (maybe only 4 lessons). Once I brush the dust off my skills, I'm going to try to start Sabre again. Sorry epeeists...the possibility of getting hit in the knees keeps me away. So I wouldn't worry about bein a 'big guy.'

[whiteandbluefencer]

I'm certainly not the skinnest fencer either... and I've never let it stop me. No worries.

[Jp X]

I'm a tight head prop in rugby and i'm doing epee and saber.
Personally I prefer saber over foil because its similar to rugby ( at least my american style) of just running straight into the guy.

[dookoo]

Thanks
Would anyone have a preference to equipment for a bigger person? Brand etc.

[Sean Butler]

You'll generally pay more for a larger fencing uniform and lame. You might get about the same price by getting one tailored. Leon Paul makes uniforms with a good cut for a larger fencer. You could start with them and see what sizes they will make. I am also a bit larger than the average fencer, and LP gear fits me very well.

[Morale Officer]

Thanks
Would anyone have a preference to equipment for a bigger person? Brand etc.

I don't have a huge budget, so....
As for a Jacket, I ended up with a BG Heavy Stretch this time around.
As for knickers, I still have my old pair of TCA Stretch that I bought 10 years ago...and am amazed that they still fit.
The Lame is gonna be a slight problem for me, so I'll probably end up getting one custom made when I get the cash. I have a very long torso. Not sure where I'm going to go for that quite yet.
What I found looking around was that not many people make gear that fits those of us that are *eh-hem* larger or that don't charge an arm and a leg and half a butt cheek for either my size or something custom. The problem I had when I called Blade to get gear made (this was 10 years ago) was that the lady on the phone stopped and said, "Oh my, this is for a fat person." I asked for the supervisor, complained, and told him they lost my business. I had no problem with TCA when I got my knickers. I would suggest either BG or TCA unless someone else has some other suggestions (I know, everyone's gonna say LP, but I for one just can't afford it).