2-prong or bayonet?

[chaosblade]

The title says it all, what do you guys recommend for foil?

[Kettch]

zzz there are so many threads on this already. Do a search before posting next time.

2 prong: Cheaper, simpler

Bayonet: Less likely to pop out, more reliable connection

[Morale Officer]

Bayonet...for the same reasons as above.

[Kettch]

Ok because I just finished exams and am in a good mood:

Bayonet or 2-Prong?
Which type of foil socket it better, the bayonet or the continental
2 pin vs. bayonet

Next time look for yourself please

[Tomas N]

If I had to do it all over again or start from scratch, I'd go with the LP bayonet. My opinion has changed over time, mostly because I see quality control on two prongs and the sockets diminishing dramatically over the past several years.

Tomas

[Frater_Frag]

Bayonet, LP or the italian ones. Everything else is asking for trouble. Besides, bayonet is also good for sabre.

[fencerchica]

Bayo is less of a pain, just stick it in and turn it. 2-prong involves having to get the catch stuck on correctly.

[CvilleFencer]

Three prong is the best and you can have one cord for all three weapons. Our club uses two prong, but if we ever start from scratch and for some reason didn't go 3 prong, I would go with bayonet. The thing with bayonet is you have to go with LP or Negrini or you will have problems on the same level as a two prong, if not worse.

[Tomas N]

Three prong is the best and you can have one cord for all three weapons. Our club uses two prong, but if we ever start from scratch and for some reason didn't go 3 prong, I would go with bayonet. The thing with bayonet is you have to go with LP or Negrini or you will have problems on the same level as a two prong, if not worse.

I plead ignorance on the three prong set up for foil or sabre. Can you enlighten me?

Tomas

[SJCFU#2]

I plead ignorance on the three prong set up for foil or sabre. Can you enlighten me?

Simply add an additional wire for hooking up the lame to one end of your epee cord (connect to the "A" line) and fit a three-prong guard socket in your foil or saber (Blue Gauntlet used to sell a special, smaller socket that would fit inside most foil guards, along with the matching plug, however I believe CvilleFencer uses a guard on his foils that is large enough to accomosdate a standard epee socket). Then connect the wire to the "B" socket for foil or short the "B" and "C" sockets together for saber (connect nothing to the "A" socket - for this application it merely serves to ensure proper alignment when plugging in the body cord).

Unfortunately I believe Dos Santos, in his infinite wisdom as head of the SEMI committee, has declared them illegal (apparently if he hasn't seen something before it can't possibly be legal), so I wouldn't recommend them if you are planning on entering any FIE events.

[Purple Fencer]

Simply add an additional wire for hooking up the lame to one end of your epee cord (connect to the "A" line) and fit a three-prong guard socket in your foil or saber (Blue Gauntlet used to sell a special, smaller socket that would fit inside most foil guards, along with the matching plug, however I believe CvilleFencer uses a guard on his foils that is large enough to accomosdate a standard epee socket). Then connect the wire to the "B" socket for foil or short the "B" and "C" sockets together for saber (connect nothing to the "A" socket - for this application it merely serves to ensure proper alignment when plugging in the body cord).

Unfortunately I believe Dos Santos, in his infinite wisdom as head of the SEMI committee, has declared them illegal (apparently if he hasn't seen something before it can't possibly be legal), so I wouldn't recommend them if you are planning on entering any FIE events.

He also missed the part in the rule book about any connection being allowed as long as it can be easily tested....

[Timberwolf_CY]

Actually, I say two-prong.

My experiences are exactly the opposite of everyone elses here.

It seems every time I or my opponent uses bayonet, at any given really critical touch, the damn thing, over time, has un-twisted and pops out at the exact wrong moment.

This usually happens to me at least once a practice; everyone but myself uses bayonet.

Most of the problems with two-prong go away if you get good body cords. My Favero's from TFP have been great so far. I've used the same cord for what, 2 years or so (by or so, I mean at least 2 probably somewhat more), with no maintanence. The SAME cord.

Even if I HAD to do maintanence, which I know will happen eventually, from what I understand the two-prong is easier to work with than the bayonet.

I confess however that I know little of bayonets, other than that my experience with them has been bad.

[SJCFU#2]

He also missed the part in the rule book about any connection being allowed as long as it can be easily tested....

Since when has he allowed the little matter of "rules" stand in the way of his judgment? (proprietary scoring system?)

[SJCFU#2]

It seems every time I or my opponent uses bayonet, at any given really critical touch, the damn thing, over time, has un-twisted and pops out at the exact wrong moment.

This usually happens to me at least once a practice; everyone but myself uses bayonet.

Sounds a bit like they need new sockets. Older LP plugs have plastic detents on the inside that are supposed to keep the plug locked in place but these can wear down over time. Some of the copies of LP bayonet sockets are really poor in this regard, having very small detents to begin with and being made of softer plastics. Newer LP bayonet sockets have an arched metal bracket that holds the plug fits into rather than the plastic detents so they tend to be more secure.

Most of the problems with two-prong go away if you get good body cords. My Favero's from TFP have been great so far. I've used the same cord for what, 2 years or so (by or so, I mean at least 2 probably somewhat more), with no maintanence. The SAME cord.

While I agree that good quality cords do make a difference, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you actually test those cords (of course you won't be alone - many people are shocked to learn that just because it seems to work out on the strip doesn't mean it will pass inspection). When it comes to body cords it's not a matter of "if" but rather "when" it will fail.

As far as ease of maintenance is concerned, basic maintenance is probably easier on a genuine LP bayonet than for most two-prongs (note that I said "genuine LP" - this doesn't always apply to knock-offs). However when things really go bad then it is often easier to replace a bayonet plug than to try and repair it. In contrast, you can easily replace parts on a two-prong plug.

[HDG]

It seems every time I or my opponent uses bayonet, at any given really critical touch, the damn thing, over time, has un-twisted and pops out at the exact wrong moment.

Sounds like the cheap knock-offs to me. This has NEVER happened to me with LPs.

[Cry_Me_A_River]

I have used both.

Quality is quality.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I've been using nothing but Absolute German-style 2-prong sockets and their cheapest body wires for two years now. I've had NO ISSUES at all with them since I learned to check the clip-screw for tightness every few weeks.

My previous experience was with Prieur 2-prongs. They failed all the time.

Prior to that, I used bayonet-style. I don't remember if they were LP or a knock-off, but they also failed all the time. The rest of my club uses bayonet exclusively, and they pop out at least once per practice...

YMMV

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Do you have enough money to have enough body cords so that you always have four working ones (and even more working blades) ?

If the answer is no, look around you. What are the people who will lend you a body cord or a blade if you have no more working gear using?

It's easier to get someone to lend you one thing. If they have to lend you a body cord and a blade, and you have to change the cord just to have a working blade.... it's annoying for everyone involved.

[fencerchica]

I'm actually the lone bayonet user (when I fence foil) of my entire club! But since I love LP bayonet and I keep my bodycords in good order with regular maintainance (not that real LP's need much) and new-ish genuine LP sockets, I'm stubbornly unwilling switch to 2 prong. It only got to be an annoyance when I fell behind on maintaining my "practice" foils (my "tournament" foils are sacrosanct and stay at home unless I'm competing) and couldn't easily borrow a club weapon when mine were being flaky on a practice night.

[KD5MDK]

Everything else is asking for trouble. Besides, bayonet is also good for sabre.

I'd like to hear the reasoning behind this...