Reliable Epees

[Tsuyoginos]

Hello, I'm a new fencer and I was wondering where to get a good, reliable epee (besides from Leon Paul). I've already bought two from Blue Gauntlet, but when I went to a tournament, both (yes, both of them which had been purchased 2 days earlier) failed the grounding test, resulting in a red card for my first tournament bout ever. They were then fixed by the armorer at the tournament, but only one was functional for two bouts (I went straight through without unplugging, but when I plugged back in, it failed again).

Thanks.

[Purple Fencer]

Hello, I'm a new fencer and I was wondering where to get a good, reliable epee (besides from Leon Paul). I've already bought two from Blue Gauntlet, but when I went to a tournament, both (yes, both of them which had been purchased 2 days earlier) failed the grounding test, resulting in a red card for my first tournament bout ever. They were then fixed by the armorer at the tournament, but only one was functional for two bouts (I went straight through without unplugging, but when I plugged back in, it failed again).

Thanks.

That's more an issue with the armoring of the wire job than the quality of the blade....and the only way to not break anything is not to use it ($1 to Dan DeChaine).

Best to learn hoe to do the checks yourself so you can find and fix any issues before you hit the strip.

PM me....I'll be happy to teach you....it's really NOT that difficult.

[DangerMouse]

I have yet to buy a wired blade that was actually wired well. Take Purple up on his offer and learn how to fix it yourself.

[Purple Fencer]

I have yet to buy a wired blade that was actually wired well. Take Purple up on his offer and learn how to fix it yourself.

Awww....thanks

Tsuyoginos....what part of the country are you in? if you're in L.A., I'd be happy to show you in person.

[Mergs]

There are lots of other sources of information out there (see sig line below). You can search the forum.

As for "reliable epees"? LOL, that's a good an oxymoron as "Military Intelligence" (says the former MI Geek!)

[DangerMouse]

I disagree, when properly wired with good components. I have two epees wired with Schermasport screwless points that have needed less than a minute of combined attention over the past 2 years. The blades will break before the tip needs maintenance.

[Fencergrl]

I've found a high incidence of failures amongst the Chinese blades. Particularly when they are wired in China (and when you're buying them from a US distributor you have no way of knowing without asking).

Generally... if you want a good job either learn to do it yourself with good quality materials* or have an armourer do it. Have an armourer have a look at your blades and show you how to maintain them yourself as has been recommended.

*Materials:
The blade is not your problem.
Tips: I personally like the German tips
Wire & Barrel: to match tip.
Everything else... not relevant.

[brtech]

grounding out on an epee that used to work is usually caused by the wire insulation breaking around the point where the spaghetti stops. It's almost always fixable. You may have to loosen the wire a bit near the shoulder, separate the wires, paint with nail polish. Allow to dry. Make sure the spaghetti goes RIGHT UP to the guard, with the smallest bit coming through. You want to protect the wire at the edge of the guard, but not have the spaghetti coming out far enough to allow the opposing point to catch on it. You want it to stay that way when the blade is fully assembled. The most common newbie problem in this area is getting the spaghetti right before the guard is put on, but having it move as the wires are tugged around the socket, pad, ...

[parrythis]

and the only way to not break anything is not to use it ($1 to Dan DeChaine).

Things break only when you use them.

You use things only when you need them.

Therefore...

Things break only when you need them.

[Purple Fencer]

things break only when you use them.

You use things only when you need them.

Therefore...

Things break only when you need them.

t-shirt!!!

[yearsofwisdom]

Transitive property FTW

[misha]

I have yet to buy a wired blade that was actually wired well. Take Purple up on his offer and learn how to fix it yourself.

I highly recommend this one: http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de/
I bought 6 BF FIE Blues wired a few years back.
Broke 3 so far, never had to rewire any of them...
Although I may need to soon. But not because of the wires but because barrels are getting too banged up


.

[prototoast]

and the only way to not break anything is not to use it ($1 to Dan DeChaine).

I bought a Blue Gauntlet body cord one time to have as a backup. It sat in my bag and the first time I pulled it out to use it, it was broken.