most stable 2-prong plug manufacturer?

[jfarmer]

We call them EZ Break. There is a reason. The plastic is okay. The pins are problematic.

Really? I haven't run into that. In fact that's the body cord that I use for giving lessons due to lack of problems. And it's the one students are always borrowing to take as their backup for tournaments.

[brtech]

Really? I haven't run into that. In fact that's the body cord that I use for giving lessons due to lack of problems. And it's the one students are always borrowing to take as their backup for tournaments.

I haven't looked at a new one in the past 6 months, but up until then, they use a pin with a really flimsy cage. The strips on the cage tend to break, or the whole cage comes off. It corrodes easily. The clip breaks more often then others, and the wire to the clip seems to break much more often. You very often see this kind of a cord with a really short clip lead.

[damianip]

Switch the sockets and plugs to Prieur.

They use a Neanderthal simple design (probably done in one of those cave painting "studios").

However, they are about the most reliable single connection in fencing. Just keep some spare clips in your bag: they get "soft" over time.

However, if you don't want to be limited to the Prieur socket, using a Velcro strip as the retainer will allow one to use the plug with any socket.

The electrical connection and strain relief are on the Prieur plug very reliable. Plus, they are easy to repair when it does require maintenance.

I'd say the same for the epee socket hardware, but the stalk of the socket is too small for the stresses from the larger socket required for epee. I still use the body cords as, fortunately, most bail type retainers will work with the plug.

Paolo

[Purple Fencer]

Switch the sockets and plugs to Prieur.

My God, NO!! They're the worst design I see...the curve inward means you can't easily work on a reconnect, the nut on top is FAR too small to easily grab with a wrench, and when your own retaining clip doesn't fit properly on your own cord, you have a problem.

I have a bag of them I only use in emergencies....otherwise, I sell German sockets....a FAR better design.

The electrical connection and strain relief are on the Prieur plug very reliable. Plus, they are easy to repair when it does require maintenance.

Except when you break the brass screw heads because Prieur is too cheap to use steel screws. Plus with no cover, people always losing the screws.

I'd say the same for the epee socket hardware, but the stalk of the socket is too small for the stresses from the larger socket required for epee. I still use the body cords as, fortunately, most bail type retainers will work with the plug.

Paolo

If they had a bigger bracket I'd like them a little more....I think they use the same basic shape as the foil, just with different holes and bending curve.

[damianip]

My God, NO!! They're the worst design I see...the curve inward means you can't easily work on a reconnect, the nut on top is FAR too small to easily grab with a wrench, and when your own retaining clip doesn't fit properly on your own cord, you have a problem.

Won't argue with you there. I figure that the socket is the price of admission to use the plug.

That's also why I like the Velcro retainer concept. It's more ecumenical.

I have a bag of them I only use in emergencies....otherwise, I sell German sockets....a FAR better design.

Probably a good idea and more backing for the Velcro retainer. German plugs don't fit into the Prieur socket unless you swap the individual sockets nuts.

Except when you break the brass screw heads because Prieur is too cheap to use steel screws. Plus with no cover, people always losing the screws.

Has happened to me but rarely. Only an idiot would let the screw get so loose that it would fall out. The body cord would be so unreliable leading up to that point that one would hope that they would tighten the screws that were staring them in the face.

If they had a bigger bracket I'd like them a little more....I think they use the same basic shape as the foil, just with different holes and bending curve.

There's just not enough metal there. They break almost as frequently as the Leon Paul ultra light epee sockets.

Paolo

[Purple Fencer]

Probably a good idea and more backing for the Velcro retainer. German plugs don't fit into the Prieur socket unless you swap the individual sockets nuts.

Actually, they fit fine (remember, the pin sizes are codified)...the problem is that the retaining clip on a German sits below the French bracket rather than actually being in contact with it....then again, the rules say there must be a security device present...not that it actually has to work properly (see Prieur)

Has happened to me but rarely. Only an idiot would let the screw get so loose that it would fall out. The body cord would be so unreliable leading up to that point that one would hope that they would tighten the screws that were staring them in the face.

Come work a middle/high school tournament some time...or get handed a wad of tangled cords....I see it ALLLLLl the time....missing retaining clips, too.

[damianip]

Actually, they fit fine (remember, the pin sizes are codified)...the problem is that the retaining clip on a German sits below the French bracket rather than actually being in contact with it....then again, the rules say there must be a security device present...not that it actually has to work properly (see Prieur)

They fit, but I, more often than not, find them reversed - no big deal for the Prieur plug, but puts the German type plug's retainer clip on the wrong side of the socket.

Come work a middle/high school tournament some time...or get handed a wad of tangled cords....I see it ALLLLLl the time....missing retaining clips, too.

I do, I ref them as well. See my comment about "idiots".

Paolo