PBT [Colored] Lames

[Timberwolf_CY]

K, I have a quick question.

I ordered a green foil lame from PBT Fencing (Lame at fencePBT's site). Took three weeks to get here from Hungary. Very happy it's here. But I have a problem.

See, I got one of these about 3 years ago too. I ordered a size 46 - a little small, but it fit; only, the 'horizontal line drawn through the hips' wasn't met by the lame, not close. Unfortunately confidient that it would fit before I got it, I had my name stenciled so, no return.

Now, I ordered a new one, size 50, slightly big, but I did that on purpose to make SURE it fit. DID NOT get it stenciled this time. Put it on today. The lame MEETS the hips in the On Guard position, didn't test the Lunge, and it still doesn't QUITE meet the hip line.

I personally am not overly concerned about it, I've worn the first one probably to 5 or 6 seperate local tournies and no one called me on it; I didn't do that on purpose, I wasn't even aware of the rule at the time, so I just kept going on until one day I was perusing the rules and found that rule, and suddenly came awash with irritation at myself.

This time, I'm not so worried, as it fits well enough most would probably let it pass, but that's not good enough for me.

So, question...sorry for the long preparation...

Are all PBT lames cut like this? Do Hungarians all have short torsos or something? Or did I just get two bad lames?

I have to wait till Monday before I can call the US office about it, so I thought I would post my question and thoughts in the mean time.

Thanks.

[Kettch]

Due to the expense and difficulty of altering or exchanging lames, a lot of people are fairly relaxed about this rule. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless the lame is waaay too high.

Also, if they ask to check, you can always sort of go hunchback to let the lame reach a little lower.

[Nusy]

Dunno, it might be my build, I've always had PBT lamés and they were always kinda long for me...
And yeah, if it's not way too high, don't think anyone would call on you...

[Inquartata]

I've noticed that a lot of people seem to prefer not to use the cuissard strap as intended. They either don't buckle it and just tuck the tail into a pocket or they don't run it between their legs at all, just put both legs through one side. Or they don't tighten it. ( I suspect these are the same people who won't wear a cup because "it's uncomfortable". )

So try tightening the strap.

[Timberwolf_CY]

The strap is already pretty snug, and I can feel the lame stretch accross my back, so I know it's tight enough (not REALLY tight, just enough to feel...again, "snug"). I tried it on with my jacket today, since I finally had some time to myself, and the back of the lame comes up about an inch above the back of the jacket; by contrast, my Linea lame, from The Fencing Post, goes probably half an inch below the jacket; same goes for the hips and bottom of the groin area.

As Kettch said, I'm not sure it's TOO big a deal, but I prefer to be as fair a player as possible.

If anyone else has input, please, er, put it here...thanks...

[fencerchica]

the back of the lame comes up about an inch above the back of the jacket

That's about the way my (Uhlmann) lame fits, too, relative to my jacket. Your lame sounds fine to me since it meets the hips in the enguard position. Isn't that the only requirement?

[SJCFU#2]

That's about the way my (Uhlmann) lame fits, too, relative to my jacket. Your lame sounds fine to me since it meets the hips in the enguard position. Isn't that the only requirement?

The lame is also required to cover all target area when standing upright and when lunging (m.28).

[Timberwolf_CY]

The lame is also required to cover all target area when standing upright and when lunging (m.28).

Exactly, see, that's my problem. Lunge and On Guard are fine, it's the standing upright that is slightly off.

I suppose it's not TOO big a deal, I can just deal with it, but it doesn't stop it from being annoying to me personally.

[SJCFU#2]

I tried it on with my jacket today, since I finally had some time to myself, and the back of the lame comes up about an inch above the back of the jacket; by contrast, my Linea lame, from The Fencing Post, goes probably half an inch below the jacket; same goes for the hips and bottom of the groin area.

Lunge and On Guard are fine, it's the standing upright that is slightly off.

The bottom of your jacket may make a nice reference point however there's no guarantee that it's accurate (especially since the only requirement regarding jacket length is that it overlap the knickers by at least 10cm). The only way to be certain that the lame is covering target area in all three positions would be to have someone check where the lame comes relative to tops of your hips in each of those positions.

[Timberwolf_CY]

Oh, I know; I used a mirror to check my fit, and I've worn the lame both with a jacket and without, so I would like to think I have an unbiased opinion. I was just using the jacket comment as an extra, er, point of reference? Thanks for your input though.

[fencerchica]

One thing about the relationship between the jacket and the lame is that visually a lame will tend to appear shorter if there's a lot of jacket showing beneath it, and will appear longer if it comes down to or below the jacket hem. Doesn't help you wrt the rulebook, but the subjective difference might reduce or increase your odds of being challenged.

[fencerchica]

The lame is also required to cover all target area when standing upright and when lunging (m.28).

Oops! I see you're right. Thanks.