Uhlmann/Allstar Competition bag or AF 09 Competition bag

[Andrei]

Which bag would you guys suggest is better. The Uhlmann/Allstar Competition bag or the Absolute Fencing Competition bag? I have seen both and they are both nice. I need a bag that can hold alot. (2 epee, 2 foil, tool kit, jacket, gloves, mask, 5 body cords, pants, chest protector, plastron, shoes(2 pairs) and maybe some other things) I want to hear your opinions on which is the best buy. I have the money for both but I just don't know which one to buy and I really need a new bag desperately.
I would want the one that will last the longest and hold the most stuff. I would rather pay more for a bag that lasts longer and holds more.

[Cookeit]

I have the AF bag, it is pretty nice.
I am almost certain it will hold all the things you list and more.
It seems very sturdy.

I haven't used the Uhlmann/Allstar bag, so I can't comment on it.

[passata_sotto]

Which bag would you guys suggest is better. The Uhlmann/Allstar Competition bag or the Absolute Fencing Competition bag? I have seen both and they are both nice. I need a bag that can hold alot. (2 epee, 2 foil, tool kit, jacket, gloves, mask, 5 body cords, pants, chest protector, plastron, shoes(2 pairs) and maybe some other things) I want to hear your opinions on which is the best buy. I have the money for both but I just don't know which one to buy and I really need a new bag desperately.
I would want the one that will last the longest and hold the most stuff. I would rather pay more for a bag that lasts longer and holds more.

Two of my boys have Uhlmann and one has Allstar and they like them and if you buy the large with the strip bag it will hold everything. The one with the Allstar used to fence epee as well as foil and it held two sets of weapons two pairs of shoes, mask, full kit, etc. Two of them need new bags and we were going to go with the big LP bags with strip bag but we have heard a rumour of a new bag that may be coming out at the end of the summer so you may want to hold off. We are. I cannot say more but hopefully someone in the know will post to the forum. The one thing that I do recommend is that if you do not buy a bag with top of the line wheels that you buy premium skateboard wheels and have swordmaster put them on. That is what we had to do with the Allstar.

[fatfencer]

The one thing that I do recommend is that if you do not buy a bag with top of the line wheels that you buy premium skateboard wheels and have swordmaster put them on. That is what we had to do with the Allstar.

Wow... thats a great idea. Skateboard wheels!!!! I need a new fencing bag. My fave is the Blue, White and Red Prieur bag. It looks by far the best. However I'm not French. Yet, IMHO it looks cool and my coaches ASSURE me its a forte grosso bag. Ordering from them is a raging pain in the booty though.

LP, judging by the fact that they consistently make the best equipment in everything else, probably makes a great bag. Why not try them and see?

FF

[Delta]

I own the AF bag and it has been a horrible experience. I would dump it, but currently too poor to be on the look out for another.
Within the first three months of owning it, random metal parts fell out of the bag. Couldn't find out where it was supposed to go (probably the outside frame which is actually sewed in). If you take a peek under the outside frame patch of material, you'll see clear packaging tape wrapping up some plywood (I guess as a part of the frame for stiffness?).
After the first five months, the removeable wheel is no longer removeable.
After the first year, there are rips on the fabric that is supposed to separate my two compartments...Material around that area is now pretty brittle.
All the time the zippers (smaller ones) get stuck very easily, have to really coax it to work. Big zippers are fine (main comparment).
Otherwise, great size for people like me who put everything in just one bag and throw it in a car to tournaments.
Apparently AF has made adjustments to the type of fabric and I know that at the CB I saw a different kind of wheel. You may want to verify?
Perhaps this sort of thing is normal for most fencers and I'm the only one who has problems with metal parts falling off within recent purchase of merchandise. Hope this helped.

[Andrei]

@ Delta

They claim their newer model has improved wheels and fabric. My friend have the newer models and to me they seem fine. But, I will consider what you have said. As for LP bags i prefer not to order my bag online.

[Cookeit]

I have had the newer AF bag for 4 months with no problem.

[fencerbill]

Bigger may be better but you may have to pay for it. The airlines are getting really picky about big charges for overweight. So things may be even more complicated because now you have to think about how heavy the bag is before you put anything in.

You might have been better off replacing a lighter bag if it means not getting overweight charges both ways going to a couple of NACs.

My experience is that most damage to roll bags comes from airport baggage conveyors.