New fencing equipment. No idea what is durable

[MAni]

Hi, i just recently upgraded to the intermediate level at my univ and have to buy my own equipment. I went for a Leon Paul maraging FIE electric epee with Vniti guard and leather french handle, 350 N Pants and jacket,body cord. But i am confused about the mask.......i ve got a choice between two masks...one is leon paul Insulated Electric Epee mask 350N CEN level 1 worth $ 105 but not FIE approved...the other is BG 1600N epee FIE MASK...FIE approved worth $ 115.....i wanted to know whether non FIE leon paul is better than this blue gauntlet FIE one or i shud invest $ 10 extra for an FIE mask. Thanks and any other advice on equipment would be appreciated.

[yearsofwisdom]

MAni welcome to the forums. Many people argue that LP makes some of the most comfortable masks but the BG is more protective in the bib. I do remember seeing somewhere that the metal mesh of all LP masks were 1600 N but the bibs are not if they are not FIE. BG masks are also fairly comfortable and i guess its basically preference. You can go with good protection and a comfortable fit with the LP or the best protection and decent comfort with the BG.

[MAni]

thanks....hmm i was just wondering which would be more economical because the price difference isnt that much but the Blue gauntlet one is FIE approved. FIE leon paul one's are $175 + and thats a big price difference.

[Purple Fencer]

Don't skimp on the mask....if you can afford the FIE, go for the FIE.

And YoW...a slight correction...all LP shells are rated fro FIE standards (25kg, I believe). 1600N is for the bib (different material).

But in general you were correct...all LP shells are FIE (a DAMN good policy there)...it's the bib that's the difference.

[Morale Officer]

Both of my masks are LP X-changes and I'm very happy with them. I had a BG "Olympic" foil mask (1000N), but it was INCREDIBLY hot. The same was true with my AF Sabre mask. Don't get me wrong, they were both decent masks, but for me, they were too hot and I couldn't hear hardly anything in them. The other thing that I like about the X-change is that it's easier for me to get on and off with my glasses. Suggestion for you would be to find people in your club with the LP and BG masks and ask to try them and see which is right for you. My personal opinion is just spend the extra money on an LP FIE, but like I said...that's just my personal opinion.

[yearsofwisdom]

Oh, sorry my crappy grammar there but yes, both are good choices and BG's masks are pretty good though their bibs look really silly for some reason...

[MAni]

so you mean to say that the LP mask i just named above is FIE from the mesh region but its bib isnt FIE approved whereas the BG both bib and mesh are FIE approved. But which is a better buy?

[yearsofwisdom]

Yes.

Basically, if you want better overall protection, and an overall good mask go with the BG.
If you want great comfort and decent protection go with the LP.

I would go with the BG because i like my face

[MAni]

thanks guys....ill also contact my club and see which one fits nicely....

[Nolano]

If you ever get the chance to use an LP contour fit mask, you won't want to use anything else. After using my contour fit for a year, I had to use a different mask for a while, and it was so uncomfortable I thought it was broken.

[MAni]

is their anything special in the counter fit that isnt in that BG FIE mask?

[Redblade]

is their anything special in the counter fit that isnt in that BG FIE mask?

The "contour fit" itself. LP uses a unique head-bracketing system.

I've got two epee masks -- one for normal fencing nights at the club and the other reserved for tourneys. The former has held up two years very nicely, but I'm about to retire it and downgrade my "official" one-year-old mask to that slot and buy a replacement for tournaments. Both are Leon Pauls, and I've never had a complaint.

[SJCFU#2]

is their anything special in the counter fit that isnt in that BG FIE mask?

Just the entire suspension system.

The BG mask has a metal tongue that goes over and behind the head (like almost every other mask out there). It has lots of padding inside to keep it from wobbling around, which is also why it tends to be so warm.

The LP Contuor Fit system takes a completely different approach, replacing the metal tongue with a system of strategically placed pads, elastic straps and a plastic disk that suspend the mask around the head. LP also parred down the padding on the inside to the bare minimum in order to allow greater air circulation through the mask (they refer to it as the "ICE" system).

One thing you may not be aware of - up near the top of this page is a light green bar with a number of link to various parts of Fencing.net, including one labled "Equipment Reviews". Click on that, then select "Clothing" and finally "Masks". You'll find reviews there regarding a number of masks from different manufacturers.

[DangerMouse]

Basically, if you want better overall protection, and an overall good mask go with the BG.
If you want great comfort and decent protection go with the LP.

I would go with the BG because i like my face

Actually, the mesh is the only part that protects your face. The LP mesh is the best on the market right now and you won't be disappointed in their mask quality. The BG has a more robust bib that protects your neck, however their bibs have a tendency to curl up a little which makes it more likely that a weapon will slip under the bib. The LP bibs tend to lie flat better and prevents this. In my opinion, the LP mask is the better of the two options and will last longer than the BG.

The "contour fit" itself. LP uses a unique head-bracketing system.

I've got two epee masks -- one for normal fencing nights at the club and the other reserved for tourneys. The former has held up two years very nicely, but I'm about to retire it and downgrade my "official" one-year-old mask to that slot and buy a replacement for tournaments. Both are Leon Pauls, and I've never had a complaint.

Ditto except my practice LP is 6 years old now and still perfectly safe. I won't say great condition because the fabric lining on the inside of the bib is a bit shredded and I had to re-attach one corner of one of the velcro tabs in the back, but neither of those issues affects safety.