feedback on my mask

[sabrefencer93]

so i bought a AF FIE Visor Mask: 2009 Sabre mask. Can anyone vouch for the quality of this mask?

[Craig]

They just came out this month, so you're one of the early adopters.

Craig

[sabrefencer93]

They just came out this month, so you're one of the early adopters.

Craig

ahh my coach had me under the impression that it came out back in february! i dont know, it was about $300 so i thought it was decently priced

[1337]

i hear more popular brands such as allstar, BG, leon paul, etc. are more reliable

[SJCFU#2]

ahh my coach had me under the impression that it came out back in february! i dont know, it was about $300 so i thought it was decently priced

Out of curiosity, did your coach ever bother to mention that visor masks are only required for international events?

Or that the visor expires and must be replaced two years after the month of manufacture?

Your profile states that you've been fencing for all of three months, and while you may be making great progress there are probably still many ways you could have put that money to better use.

edit: This is not intended to be a statement regarding the quality of your new mask - as Craig has already said, they just came out so only time will tell how well they hold up. In fact, I encourage you to write a review for fencing.net.

[sabrefencer93]

Out of curiosity, did your coach ever bother to mention that visor masks are only required for international events?

Or that the visor expires and must be replaced two years after the month of manufacture?

Your profile states that you've been fencing for all of three months, and while you may be making great progress there are probably still many ways you could have put that money to better use.

edit: This is not intended to be a statement regarding the quality of your new mask - as Craig has already said, they just came out so only time will tell how well they hold up. In fact, I encourage you to write a review for fencing.net.

Well actually my mom decided to suprise me and buy it for me without my knowledge, along with a leon paul custom sabre and competition range jacket. I know i have to replace the visor every two years and i know that it is only needed for international level, now but thats a whole different story. and i perfer this mask being able to see through it because i often have trouble seeing through the normal fencing masks. Thanks for the info though.

[Inquartata]

Hey, I see some capital letters in that last post! Result!

You might look into an anti-fogging spray for the inside of the visor. This is not a problem one has with a regular mask, but with the Lexan ones it can be quite annoying.

[SJCFU#2]

You may also want to consider adding some form of disposable outer layer to your visor so that in 18 months you will still be able to see through all the scratches which accumulate on the visor over time (especially if you are using this mask for both competition and practice). AFAIK Leon Paul is the only manufacturer to specifically include this feature in their visor mask however I have heard of people fitting the LP outer layer to their own masks, as well as other people experimenting with the tear away strips used by motocross riders.

You might also suggest to your mother that the next time she wants to surprise you with fencing equipment she consider a gift certificate from your favorite vendor (especially if she isn't that familiar with the equipment herself).

[BrendanLarrabee]

you might try getting an invisible sheild custom fit to your visor.
They make protective films for electronics, and the stuff is practically indestructible +it comes with a lifetime warranty
https://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/index.php

[1337]

You may also want to consider adding some form of disposable outer layer to your visor so that in 18 months you will still be able to see through all the scratches which accumulate on the visor over time (especially if you are using this mask for both competition and practice). AFAIK Leon Paul is the only manufacturer to specifically include this feature in their visor mask however I have heard of people fitting the LP outer layer to their own masks, as well as other people experimenting with the tear away strips used by motocross riders.

You might also suggest to your mother that the next time she wants to surprise you with fencing equipment she consider a gift certificate from your favorite vendor (especially if she isn't that familiar with the equipment herself).

what do you mean by "disposable layer"? are these available for all visors? what venders sell them? thanks

[sabrefencer93]

I will be sure to tell my mom to get me a gift certificate next time, but im sure that will be quite a while from now seeing as she just spend $800 on all of my gear.I should look into getting a shield for the visor, my partner i know will be jealous and attempt to scratch it up as much as possible im sure.

[SJCFU#2]

what do you mean by "disposable layer"? are these available for all visors? what venders sell them? thanks

As stated earlier, AFAIK Leon Paul is the only manufacturer to specifically incorporate them into their masks, so the first place to look might be Leon Paul USA. Many other vendors also sell some LP gear so I wouldn't be surprised if you could get them from other vendors as well.

Since it is sized for use with a LP mask the outer layer will probably have to be modified to fit a mask from any other manufacturer.

[SJCFU#2]

I will be sure to tell my mom to get me a gift certificate next time, but im sure that will be quite a while from now seeing as she just spend $800 on all of my gear.I should look into getting a shield for the visor, my partner i know will be jealous and attempt to scratch it up as much as possible im sure.

Would your mother care to adopt a small college team from Maryland? That's almost as much as they're likely to spend on equipment for the entire team this year.

[sabrefencer93]

Would your mother care to adopt a small college team from Maryland? That's almost as much as they're likely to spend on equipment for the entire team this year.

haha i feel for you guys, my high school club only gets $200 a year apparently, but fortunatly the club at which i fence outside of school just recieved a $1500 grant and will get getting new equipment on friday!

[Inquartata]

Backslider!

[GypsyScot]

i hear more popular brands such as allstar, BG, leon paul, etc. are more reliable

What seriously, when did anyone ever say BG was better than absolute, really?!
A mask is simply a mask the meshes and bibs are all made to the same safety specifications they will all do the same job, especially with Visor masks. The only real difference in masks is personal opinion, (i.e. Padding materials, shape). Unless the Dos Santos de-lists a mask, it's golden. Leon Paul packs in the features in their masks, they're premium and you pay for premium. Many people can't spend that, we'll make a mask we can cram as much value and quality we can into a lower price point. AF, LP, and BG can all at least say we make our own masks, andin comparison to a lot of the other vendors I think that's phenomenal.

[1337]

What seriously, when did anyone ever say BG was better than absolute, really?!
A mask is simply a mask the meshes and bibs are all made to the same safety specifications they will all do the same job, especially with Visor masks. The only real difference in masks is personal opinion, (i.e. Padding materials, shape). Unless the Dos Santos de-lists a mask, it's golden. Leon Paul packs in the features in their masks, they're premium and you pay for premium. Many people can't spend that, we'll make a mask we can cram as much value and quality we can into a lower price point. AF, LP, and BG can all at least say we make our own masks, andin comparison to a lot of the other vendors I think that's phenomenal.

ok....i was just naming other fencing brands at the top of my head. so calm down, you sound like an idiot.

[foibles]

ok....i was just naming other fencing brands at the top of my head. so calm down, you sound like an idiot.

No. He doesn't.

He sounds like a man that's proud of what he and his team have accomplished for his business and the sport. Can't blame him for feeling a little protective. (Especially over a newly launched product).

I worked in a small mfg co for about 6 years. Something I noticed while watching the pres/owner operate. For me, my job was just a job. For him, his job was his lifes-work. Once I understood that, I understood some of his reactions a bit better. Criticizing a person's lifes-work (even incidentally), and you're basically Criticizing/attacking him.

Just a thought

[I_luv_saber]

If you're getting feedback from your mask, you must've plugged something into it other than a lead wire... speakers? Mic?

[Morale Officer]

If you're getting feedback from your mask, you must've plugged something into it other than a lead wire... speakers? Mic?

Either that or the mask is saying something about needing a shower...