Are All Foil Wires Equivalent?

[Dr. Bob]

I wire my own foils using pre-made wire sets. I have had some durability problems with LP wires (I use the LP GT tips). I'm wondering if the problems with wire breaks are because of my wiring technique (entirely possible) or because of the LP wires. Any informed opinions as to whether Uhlmann or other brands of wire might be more durable? I could make my own wire sets, but the unsoldering/soldering of the little brass "hats" seems like an incredible pain.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

While foil wires are not my area of expertise, i suspect that others will find more information useful in order to give you useful information.

Like, what's your wiring technique. And what are your "durability problems". If you have to rewire every week, you're doing something wrong. If you had to rewire this month after 15 years of heavy use, we ought to be getting lessons from you.....

[CvilleFencer]

I love LP and almost all their gear. I hate dealing with their wires. LP makes them work with factory wired weapons and they work very well. I am a pretty experienced armourer, but if I am not careful I still pull the damn things out of the cup during the rewire, or they pull out on a hard hit once they are wired up.

I have had much better luck with Gary Spruil's (Sp?) LP wires. They are wonderful things, but a little hard to find. I know that Craig at F.net has them sometimes and IIRC Gary sells them through Swordmasters also, but I am not sure on that last bit. He is also on F.net and is likely to see this post and respond.

[Purple Fencer]

I love LP and almost all their gear. I hate dealing with their wires. LP makes them work with factory wired weapons and they work very well. I am a pretty experienced armourer, but if I am not careful I still pull the damn things out of the cup during the rewire, or they pull out on a hard hit once they are wired up.

I have had much better luck with Gary Spruil's (Sp?) LP wires. They are wonderful things, but a little hard to find. I know that Craig at F.net has them sometimes and IIRC Gary sells them through Swordmasters also, but I am not sure on that last bit. He is also on F.net and is likely to see this post and respond.

Those aren't LP wires...they're designed for German barrels and designed by Gary himself.

I sell them under the name "American" wires....best foil wire out there, IMO.

Gary no longer makes them...now Rocky Sorenson does it.

[CvilleFencer]

Those aren't LP wires...they're designed for German barrels and designed by Gary himself.

I sell them under the name "American" wires....best foil wire out there, IMO.

Gary no longer makes them...now Rocky Sorenson does it.

Yep, I like his "German" ones much better than the FWF or Uhlmann wires as well. Less likely to shred the insulation going through the barrel or just in general and an overall stronger wire. He also made some LP style ones with their cups and nipples, but with his wire and a bit more attention to the crimping.

I didn't know Rocky had taken over making them. I also didn't know you were selling them! Thanks for the info.

[Purple Fencer]

Yep, I like his "German" ones much better than the FWF or Uhlmann wires as well. Less likely to shred the insulation going through the barrel or just in general and an overall stronger wire. He also made some LP style ones with their cups and nipples, but with his wire and a bit more attention to the crimping.

Ahhh....I didn't know he'd recycled LP cups and contacts.

I didn't know Rocky had taken over making them. I also didn't know you were selling them! Thanks for the info.

You must not've read my posts since 2005 when I said I've been selling them and singing their praises!! I haven't bought a regular german foil wire since Gary sent me my first set.

[TodG]

I've given up on LP wires and use the ones sold by FdN (Paul Plus). At least the insulation doesn't come off so easily while wiring. I don't know that they are any more durable but they are far easier to wire without a short.

http://shop.fencing.net/Paul_Plus_Fo.../fdn-49011.htm

[Craig]

Those aren't LP wires...they're designed for German barrels

Wrong. What Cville is referring to is a Leon Paul compatible foil wire. (Made with the LP contacts and cups but with a wire more suited to the US Fencing do it yourselfer.)

We carry these wires as our "Paul Plus Foil Wire"

Gary does also have a German foil wire designed using the same base wire but with German compatible contact and cup.

Craig

[Purple Fencer]

Wrong. What Cville is referring to is a Leon Paul compatible foil wire. (Made with the LP contacts and cups but with a wire more suited to the US Fencing do it yourselfer.)

We carry these wires as our "Paul Plus Foil Wire"

Gary does also have a German foil wire designed using the same base wire but with German compatible contact and cup.

Craig

Like I said....I was unaware....thanks for clarifying, tho....next time I buy parts from you, I'll remember to get some for those times I have a Paul tip to rewire.

[CvilleFencer]

You know, my only complaint at all about these wires (the German and LP style) is the color of the insulation material. It is all the same! I have had several people ask me why I wired their German or LP blade with French wire because of the red color. Not a big deal at all, and I am sure it would be a pain to use three different wire spools, but I thought I would mention it just in case.

[Craig]

Just tell them you used red because that makes it go faster.

[CvilleFencer]

Just tell them you used red because that makes it go faster.

Best answer ever!

[Dr. Bob]

Thanks for the discussion. My results with the LP foil wire have been highly variable, with some wiring jobs breaking down after just a few bouts, while others have lasted through months of heavy bouting. The Paul Plus foil wire looks like it might be significantly more reliable (at least in my semi-skilled hands). I'll order some for my next rewire job.

Best to all of you who responded.