Escrime International's Performance Pro Line V. Leon Paul's Club Range

[peterlista]

I know that this has been a previous thread; however, it has been closed for over a year now and I would like some updated information.

I am interested in purchasing either the Escrime International Performance Pro Line (Jacket, Knickers, and Plastron) or Leon Paul's Club Range (Jacket and Knickers, plus the 800N Plastron). Both are rated at 350N.

Based on your experiences or from what you've heard, what do you suggest?

Thanks in advance,
Peter Lista


Note: I am currently in my college fencing club (I'm VP) and the majority of our fencing is dry. I would however, be fencing at least two times a week and would like it to hold up for a couple of years.

[erooMynohtnA]

It's going to come down to your body type. Both are good uniforms.

LP club is probably going to win the durability battle, but the Escrime is going to be a more comfortable material. Both will last a long time (at the very least several years) if properly cared for.

The real issue the cut of the uniform. Personally, that would put LP on top, but we are probably not the same build.

[Morale Officer]

The real issue the cut of the uniform. Personally, that would put LP on top, but we are probably not the same build.

The cut really is the key. LP gear does NOT fit me, but then again, I am also a larger woman. LP gear DOES fit one of my club-mates no problem, but then again, she is literally half my size. I am very happy with my Escrime whites. As for customer service - they're both good. Just depends on what type of cut fits you best.

[peterlista]

Maybe this will help then; I am 6' 2" and weigh somewhere around 220 pounds... pretty much big all around.

[Nolano]

Just a note, if you're a large person ordering LP gear, I typically recommend ordering a size up. Especially with knickers. they tell you to just measure at the waist, but if you're stomach sticks out a bit past your waist, you'll want a larger size.

[Rick Shellhouse]

Peter...

You are right next door to us...drop me an email will be glad to let you see a set in your size and try them on free of charge....


R

[peterlista]

Rick,

I plan to take a day trip down to your shop sometime during my winter break (the drive from Rochester New York, where I live, is 5 hours or so).

Thanks,
Peter Lista

[piste off]

Rick,

I plan to take a day trip down to your shop sometime during my winter break (the drive from Rochester New York, where I live, is 5 hours or so).

Thanks,
Peter Lista

Definitely check out Escrime. The owner is a big boy too, and you'll find the cut to be great for you. The raglan sleeves are unique to their design, and you'll be amazed at how much flexibility they add.

R-

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Definitely check out Escrime. The owner is a big boy too, and you'll find the cut to be great for you. The raglan sleeves are unique to their design, and you'll be amazed at how much flexibility they add.

R-

Personally, I have not noticed a flexibility difference due to the raglan sleeves per se. That said, the Escrime uniform is so stretchy and comfortable that I generally don't notice that I'm wearing it. The lining is Cat's @ss, and the uniform is generally DRY by the time DEs start. My other uniform which gets a good amount of use (though mostly in practice now) is an Uhlmann WC. While very protective, it's a little like fencing in a suit of armor...not very flexi-like. I've never used the LP gear, but some of my clubmates do. It's very pretty stuff. My parents were in the UK last week...if I were not so poor these days, I would have had them pick some up for me to try out.

[CvilleFencer]

I have both and like them both for different reasons. My LP was custom made so sizing was never an issue, but I do love that Escrime sells gear in my size without custom orders.

The Escrime is a much thinner uniform and is very comfortable to wear. It offer pretty much zero impact absorption so it is perhaps not a good choice for novices, but experienced fencers will appreciate the freedom of movement, breath-ability and quick drying nature of the uniform.

Reliability wise, it has not held up as well as I would like. I would say I have had it for about a year and have had some issues. The lining seams have failed in several spots, I had to have the zipper replaced and it has had several holes knocked in it. Not from broken blades mind you, just hard hits that went through both layers of the uniform. I have zero faith in it stopping a broken blade, so it don't use it much these days, except as a training jacket with a coaching plastron over it or just around the club.

The LP I have had for 3 1/2 years and it has survived with pretty much zero issues. The zipper did get loose to the point that I finally replaced it this past year (tended to "walk" down while I was bouncing). It has never failed, never had a problem and never had a stitch come loose. It is heavy compared to the Escrime and costs more but it is robust, fairly stretchy and more comfortable to wear that either the Uhlmann or PBT kits I have had in the past.

[JayhawkPawn]

I have both and like them both for different reasons. My LP was custom made so sizing was never an issue, but I do love that Escrime sells gear in my size without custom orders.

The Escrime is a much thinner uniform and is very comfortable to wear. It offer pretty much zero impact absorption so it is perhaps not a good choice for novices, but experienced fencers will appreciate the freedom of movement, breath-ability and quick drying nature of the uniform.

Reliability wise, it has not held up as well as I would like. I would say I have had it for about a year and have had some issues. The lining seams have failed in several spots, I had to have the zipper replaced and it has had several holes knocked in it. Not from broken blades mind you, just hard hits that went through both layers of the uniform. I have zero faith in it stopping a broken blade, so it don't use it much these days, except as a training jacket with a coaching plastron over it or just around the club.

The LP I have had for 3 1/2 years and it has survived with pretty much zero issues. The zipper did get loose to the point that I finally replaced it this past year (tended to "walk" down while I was bouncing). It has never failed, never had a problem and never had a stitch come loose. It is heavy compared to the Escrime and costs more but it is robust, fairly stretchy and more comfortable to wear that either the Uhlmann or PBT kits I have had in the past.

Personally Cville, I'm going to have to disagree with you on the 'won't stop a broken blade' part. I do agree that the intial run needed some improvements on sewing and finishing, as my wife has shown me how to use her sewing machine to fix some of the seams, and eventually she had to add a second set of stitches to some of the more fail-prone areas. EI's 350N jacket stopped two broken blades to the same place in my uniform, in the same night. Perhaps your sweat is more akin to Giger's Alien blood? I think we need to investigate weather or not Cville is actually a human, or not part of the new alien master race.

Also keep in mind that I use a LP mask for the same exact reason, and most of the information here is exactly right. If you're skinny and not very tall, LP kit is good, and their fit/finish is slightly above EI's. If you're anything other than skinny, LP's custom order is stuff is still very expensive, whereas you can get EI kit from the shelf. Neither is going to provide much impact resistance, and EI has the better flexibility/stretchyness of their uniform.

I own a full set of EI kit, with some LP stuff mixed in, and my wife has both EI and LP. She says she prefers the EI jacket and lame, and the LP knickers, plastron, and mask. I prefer the EI jacket and knickers, and will never reccomend anything other than a LP mask. Sometimes, if I know I'll be fencing a few certain people that like to leave large bruises on my legs, I'll switch out to the less stretchy LP knickers.

[Rick Shellhouse]

Reliability wise, it has not held up as well as I would like. I would say I have had it for about a year and have had some issues. The lining seams have failed in several spots, I had to have the zipper replaced and it has had several holes knocked in it. Not from broken blades mind you, just hard hits that went through both layers of the uniform. I have zero faith in it stopping a broken blade, so it don't use it much these days, except as a training jacket with a coaching plastron over it or just around the club.

My records show it almost double that time but still I am concerned. Please feel free to contact me you still have the number . I would like to see the issues so they can be addressed. We are constantly upgrading..

R

[CvilleFencer]

Sure thing Rick. I will either bring it with me at the next event that we are both likely to be at, or at least take some pics and send them along. I should have mentioned that I got my kit fairly soon after they were offered IIRC. I had just not realized it had been so long. Course it still freaks me out when some of my students that started fencing in my youth program drive themselves to the club! I don't track the passage of time well anymore I suppose...

[slow_learner]

My first jacket was the LP Club. It is excellent quality, and has stood up well. However the sleeves for some reason are waaay long. I am similar in build to you--6' 4" and 220. I roll up the sword arm sleeve so the material does not bunch and offer a better point hold.

The main thing is the jacket is double-layer cotton and has no wicking layer. After use or washing it takes a long time to dry.

I wish I had bought my second jacket, the LP Competition, at the start. It is lighter, cooler, stretchier, and wicks very well. But only costs a bit more. Live and learn.

And the sleeves are normal length.

[peterlista]

Alright, so I am thinking that Escrime is the way to go... unless someone has a good reason why the LP Competition range is better than the EI Performance Pro line? And I'd need details.

[wbowman]

I think we need to investigate weather or not Cville is actually a human, or not part of the new alien master race.

Don't encourage him.

[peterlista]

Now I am having even more trouble deciding btwn the EI Performance Pro Line and the LP Competition Range!

I love them both (as much as I can looking at reviews and stuff online) and the only thing that is keeping me from going LP is that Escrime supposedly is a bigger size... but on the other hand, the Leon Paul equipment has the same features (minus the raglan sleeves) and has a great record.

Anyone have further info to help me decide?

Thanks,
Peter Lista

[EldRick]

In my experience the Transpor wicking lining in the LP Competition range blocks a lot of air circulation.

I wound up cutting the Transpor lining out of both a Competition jacket and a pair of their fencing pants, as it was just too hot. I wouldn't recommend any multi-layer construction for this reason - it blocks cooling airflow.

I now wear a set of whites from Triplette. They custom fit for a very moderate charge. The fabric is a single layer that wicks amazingly well - it's feels dry on the inside, but cold on the outside, when it gets sweaty.

[shlepzig]

I have the LP FIE Pro Line, and find that it fits quite well. I would not describe myself as slim, but rather substantial (not as far as ample).

The Triplette FIE unform is also quite nice and breathes very well. I found the arms to be to full and too long. But was able to make adjustments fairly easily.

I have not purchased one of the Escrime International uniforms but have seen several in action and plan to add a set to my clothes rack in the next season.

From my experience with him, I can say that Rick at EI is a stand up guy and will give excellent customer service and stands by his product.

Leon Paul has also given me excellent customer service and has addressed any needs or problems I have had professionally and with great enthusiasm.

The same would be said of my expeience with Triplette over the years as well.

All told, I don't think I have had a bad experience with a fencing equipment vendor to date. All have treated me very well and when there have been problems they have been quick to address them.

-Shlep.

[peterlista]

It's about that time, I'll be ordering my new gear early this week.

What did I decide on? Well...

Escrime "White Line" 350N Performance Pro Mens Jacket
Escrime "White Line" 350N Performance Pro Mens Knickers
Escrime "White Line" 350N Performance Pro Plastron
Prieur FIE Mask
Escrime "Old School" Glove [not going to lie, I like the all white]
Escrime/USA Extra Long Sock
... and, of course, a new STM Epee.

And that ought to about do it... I'll be a walking billboard for Rick, I hope he's happy!