Fencing Bag

[Stormblade]

Here I am again, at the mercy of your opinions.

I currently have three epees, three foils, at least seven bodycords, and a mask that I am keeping in my fencing bag. I have an Absolute Advanced Bag (http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...cda301c64fa1bf), and it's getting to be a tight squeeze, even though I've started keeping my jacket, glove, etc. in a separate bag. I would like to get a much bigger bag (I am also my team's armorer, so I frequently have team weapons in my bag, too) with either a shoulder strap, wheels, or both. Preferably one with multiple compartments so I can continue keeping my clothes separate from my weapons and mask. Of course, I would also like a relatively cheap one. Definitely under $150. Under $100 would be nice, but probably impossible. Any suggestions?

[CvilleFencer]

Well, in that price range you have a few options. You are going to want to go with a two compartment bag most likely. Absolute and F.net both sell two compartment team bags at a good price and also have a wheeled bag that is basically the same thing but with a wheeled frame.

Another option that you might want to look into is a Linea roll bag from the Fencing Post. This is effectively an Uhlmann clone and is in about your price range. It has a lot of pockets, both inside and out and in that regard is about the best I have seen. Lots of places to stash all the bits and pieces so that everything has its own place and pocket and it holds up fairly well.

LP makes a good bag two compartment and roll bag but it is pricey and they use slash pockets as opposed to pouch pockets so they are not overly useful. The Uhlmann/Allstar bags are overpriced in my opinion and you are basically paying for the name. If you wanted to go that route, the Linea is a better value. The roll bags from Negrini, Adidas and Duelist are all well outside the price range.

The Escrime international two compartment bag is another option that is very large and has a good number of pockets and pouches. You can also add a frame at a later date as IIRC they are the same as the roll bag, just without the frame attached.

I hope all that gives you some ideas to look at.

[telkanuru]

I have the fnet roll bag. It's served me well for 2 years now.

[Hobbes]

willing to do some handy work of your own?

Jump on ebay and get a golf hard case. I use one similar to this one, and it has served me very well. I am not easy on it either.

I have not done it because I am lazy, but I have plans to put in dividers. one side hold clothing and the like. The other side will hold my weapons and accessories with different compartments. I have been working on the plans and can get most of the stuff at lowes, craft stores like Michael's. I am just so lazy and willing to just toss it all in there like it doesn't matter.

Just an idea to consider.

[Pescados666]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

willing to do some handy work of your own?

Jump on ebay and get a golf hard case. I use one similar to this one, and it has served me very well. I am not easy on it either.

I have not done it because I am lazy, but I have plans to put in dividers. one side hold clothing and the like. The other side will hold my weapons and accessories with different compartments. I have been working on the plans and can get most of the stuff at lowes, craft stores like Michael's. I am just so lazy and willing to just toss it all in there like it doesn't matter.

Just an idea to consider.

They also sell the golf shells at Academy for $39 (the cheapest kind). Better for those who don't like Ebay.

[Stormblade]

willing to do some handy work of your own?

Yeah, but I have limited handiness. I'd be likely to botch the job, though my dad's pretty handy. I have actually looked at hardcover golf cases before, and ignored them because of their one-compartmentedness (probably not a word, but who cares?). I hadn't ever considered making a divider myself. How would you secure it in place?

And thank you to CvilleFencer, telkanuru and Pescados666. You've given me several options to consider.

[Hobbes]

Sigh my retarded computer crashed just as I finished a reply.

Try it again.

AS for handiness, the things I had in mind are not that complicated. However I don't know how well they would work. I have not looked into it much more than thinking about it when my brain is doing nothing else.

Some of my ideas include adding hinges to each half and attaching plastic sheets to separate the two halves. It will keep the uniform and weapons separated. This is the main thing I want from my case.

On the uniform side you can put in some L-brackets attached to vertically standing plastic sheets using bolts to keep things separated. I think making sure the metal parts are rust proof would be a good idea.

Also, sewing together a couple pouches with zippers out of heavy duty fabric would be a good idea. Attach them to the inside with some of those monster eyelets you can get at craft stores. This would be great for body cords, tools, notebooks, or snacks.

on the other side of the case you can attach strong elastic cords so that you can keep the different types of weapons separate. Also a nice way to keep the malfunctioning weapons away from the working ones. VERY IMPORTANT if you are carrying around club blades. Let's be honest I don't care how good of an armorer a person is, club blades malfunction.

I have yet to try any of these ideas. They would require drills and a power saw. two things I have and you may or may not have access to. I also have no idea if any of them would actually work. But if they did, and it works like I imagine, this would be a hardcore bag.

Maybe this thread is the motivation I need to get started on this. More than likely I am going to go read more of that retarded screaming thread in the general fencing section.

((If I do try it, I will let you know how it works and put up pictures.))

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by Stormblade

I have actually looked at hardcover golf cases before, and ignored them because of their one-compartmentedness (probably not a word, but who cares?). I hadn't ever considered making a divider myself. How would you secure it in place?

You may want to read through this thread for ideas on how to modify a hard shell case. Just bear in mind that hard shell cases often don't fit very will in smaller cars.

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by SJCFU#2

You may want to read through this thread for ideas on how to modify a hard shell case. Just bear in mind that hard shell cases often don't fit very will in smaller cars.

Ha! I have never even thought about looking here for other ideas!

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Ha! I have never even thought about looking here for other ideas!

In that case you may want to pay particular attention to the designs submitted by Purplefencer (post #5), El Chucko (posts #40, 54 and 69 - the last of which includes modifications he made during the first year's use), and Forethought (post #70).

Just try and stay away from the wooden case shown in this thread - it's marvelous to look at but probably belongs more in an art gallery than at a fencing tournament.

[Hobbes]

I have already printed the pictures and plan on heading out this week for parts.

[Alex_Paul]

You guys are gonna love the new LP bag we have in the pipe line

[Stormblade]

Originally Posted by Alex_Paul

You guys are gonna love the new LP bag we have in the pipe line

Only if it's inexpensive.

[Stormblade]

Originally Posted by SJCFU#2

You may want to read through this thread for ideas on how to modify a hard shell case. Just bear in mind that hard shell cases often don't fit very will in smaller cars.

Ooooo....thanks. This is cool.

((If I do try it, I will let you know how it works and put up pictures.))

That would be lovely, thank you.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by Stormblade

one-compartmentedness (probably not a word, but who cares?).

One of the great things about the English language (and most of its practicioners and in most contexts) is that it's mostly acceptable to invent new words.*

-B

* A related but slight variant that I especially like is the ability to verbize nouns.

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

One of the great things about the English language (and most of its practicioners and in most contexts) is that it's mostly acceptable to invent new words.*

-B

* A related but slight variant that I especially like is the ability to verbize nouns.

"I think I am going to sandwich and then couch for the rest of the night"
TBS show My Boys

[Stormblade]

Hey, I've been looking at golf cases on eBay, and the one I was considering is 51". That seems really big and unwieldy; it's almost a foot longer than my bag. Should I look for something smaller or is that normal?

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by Stormblade

Hey, I've been looking at golf cases on eBay, and the one I was considering is 51". That seems really big and unwieldy; it's almost a foot longer than my bag. Should I look for something smaller or is that normal?

It may seem a bit large for fencing but it's probably about the right size for a golf case that is supposed to fit 48" clubs.

edit: Now perhaps you can understand why people are always commenting on how difficult it is to fit a golf case into a small car.

[zenpharaohs]

Originally Posted by Alex_Paul

You guys are gonna love the new LP bag we have in the pipe line

I'm looking for a nice bag. When I got back into fencing I just got a guitar bag, but at the salle I seem to be fencing all three weapons every time, so I need two masks and six weapons, etc. Plus the sabre and foil lame's. And I like to have the left handed sabre just in case. Yark. I need a truck.

So about this bag you have. What is it like?

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by zenpharaohs

So about this bag you have. What is it like?

It's manufactured under license by GM and actually IS a truck.

-B