Allstar / Uhlmann quality concerns

[Inquartata]

Or maybe it's just epee stuff generally that does that.

Or maybe it's just epee.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I think it's generally the Allstar/Uhlmann items from ~2004 and onwards that tends to have fallen so much in quality.

I got my Uhlmann 'Olympia' kit in 2004 and all velcro etc. are holding up just fine.
My Allstar 'Athen' kit is from ~2001 and still in great condition.
Allstar 1600N FIE mask purchased in 2004 -- still in as-good-as-new condition.

I take very good care of my gear and I'm not in desperate need of anything new in a hurry. That said, I've already decided that when eventually I do need to buy new things, mask will be a Leon Paul. For kit I'm still undecided, but it will not be Allstar/Uhlmann.

[Sinestra]

So the lames are now made in China... can anybody report their experiences with recently made Allstar or Uhlmann lames?

I had to get a new lame at Summer Nationals and ended up with an Uhlmann. Granted, it hasn't been that long that I've had it, but it's seen quite regular use since then and is still in really good condition. And unlike my previous lame (the older Leon Paul, not the lightweight) the cut doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing a metallic bag, so that's a plus. The tags all seem to say "made in Germany", if I recall correctly, so is it just that the material is produced in China and stitched in Germany, or what's the deal there?

I also have a pair of Uhlmann knickers, the ones with the stretch panel in front, that I've had for about a year now. They're still holding up great, though the velcro seems to be wearing out. That might be my own fault for washing my kit almost compulsively, though