Auctioned weapons online?

[FHPyro4L]

I've taken a gander at Ebay for used weapons and didn't get much help from there.. How much would, say, a lefty electric foil cost? I use the school weapon so I've never experienced the thrill of buying my own... I know the school equipment never lasts very long, so does anyone have a clue as to where I could get a cheap(ish) weapon online? Is it even safe to do that? I hear many times when the weapon arrives throught the mail, it doesn't work... Well any feedback would be awesome... woohoo! 3 days 'till season starts!!

[Purple Fencer]

Unless you're buying from a reputable dealer putting new gear on Ebay...don't. The vast, VAST majority of fencing gear on Ebay is older than Donald Benge (stick around the sport for awhile in California...you'll lear who he is!) and in worse shape. We're talking masks that wouldn't stand a punch test from your little finger, let alone a straight shot to the mask from a hard thrust.

My recommendation is to contact a vendor (lik emyself, American Fencer's Supply, Blue Gauntlet, etc) and talk to them. I sell a few electric foil (French point) for $70 complete. 'Course you need some OTHER stuff to use it, like a body cord....

Where do you go to school? If you're in SoCal, look me up.

[oiuyt]

Sam- according to his profile he's from long island.

FHPyro4L- Go talk to Justin Meehan over at FCLI. He's a good source both for information and is one of the people who's just started a new vendor, Bladerunners. He's local, you'll be able to actually see what you're getting, and he's an honest/reliable source for info on fencing equipment.

-B :)

[135711]

where can a club get a few sets of used reels?
vty

[Daylight]

I have to admit, that I have purchased a number of fencing items over eBay (about half a dozen jackets, 2 masks and 4-5 electric weapons and a lame) and honestly have never had any problems. However, I know that that is probably because I have been EXTREMELY careful.

If you are relatively new to fencing or have not purchased anything before or aren't familiar with equipment types, makes etc then eBay is not the best option. The others on this list have given you the best advice and that is to buy it from a reputable dealer. Even better if it is someone in your area so you get the opportunity to see and try the equipment yourself.

Purchasing over eBay, I have a list of questions that I usually ask with regards to the items before I decide if I want to bid or not. The pictures are nice and all, but they don't tell you about the ACTUAL wear and tear on some of the items. Especially blades.


I have never had any problems purchasing jackets online, studying the pictures and asking about any tears or wearing on the material. I recall an almost new FIE jacket that the seller simply posted as a fencing jacket with a price tag of $15 because it was 'dirty' because they were unaware. Sometimes the seller knows about the item, sometimes not.

Masks in particular I prefer to not purchase without some contact with the seller to ask if the mask will pass a punch test. If they don't know, I don't purchase the mask. It is an issue of safety. Upon receipt of any mask, I usually punch test it myself as well. *small smile* I was gratified to find an FIE mask for about $40 that had not been too badly beaten up and still easily passed muster.

For weapons, I like to know how "soft" the blades are and if any of them are starting to "S" curve. How long the person has had the weapon and how often they fenced with it. And I have a personal limit that no "used" weapon should cost more than half a new weapon. *smile* So far, I haven't had any problems and my thought is that at worst, I can strip the weapon down for parts.

Although not necessarily the best source for equipment for someone newly come to fencing, I do feel that it DOES have something to offer for those with the knowledge and who are willing to do the detective work to find out whether it is in fact a good deal, or a dangerous exchange.

(*smile* Just had to drop off my 2 cents)