Allstar vs. Uhlmann vs OTHER FIE Masks

[yearsofwisdom]

I am about to buy a brand new FIE mask and i am looking mostly at the Allstar FIE mask. I fence foil, btw. I sweat a lot so i was thinking about getting the removable lining version. I have not tried any of these on so i was wondering, which is the highest quality between the Allstar normal fie mask, allstar removable lining, uhlmann normal fie and uhlmann removable. Which is the strongest and offers the most protection. and is the 1600N only for the bib or is that the mesh as well? what is the standard FIE protection of the mesh? also if these masks arn't that great in comfort,durability, safety or quality, what other brands other than LP would be good? I don't like the feel of their masks and i don't get a discount either....


and i would be orderin the allstar/uhlmann mask from blue-gauntlet... if that makes a difference.....
THANKS!

[RebelFencer]

I have not owned an Allstar/Uhlmann mask, but know a lot of people who have. They are very sturdy, good masks. I have owned FWF and Leon Paul FIE masks and while both are very good masks, the next mask I buy will most likely be Leon Paul. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices I mentioned in terms of durability and protection.

[yearsofwisdom]

Do you know if there is a difference in quality between Allstar and Uhlmann? They are supposedly the same company.... but i have heard that buying from blue-gauntlet means an inferior product?

[RebelFencer]

Same company. You shouldn't see any difference in quality with masks.

[DangerMouse]

The removable padding masks have a tendency over time for the velcro to wear out and, with the way they are built, it can let go when you get hit in the face and have the mesh then hit you in the nose. I've had two Uhlmann FIE masks, which lasted about 3 years each before the mesh wore out. I currently own two Leon Paul FIE masks, which are much more comfortable than the Uhlmann and the older of the two is still in great condition (the mesh, not the inside lining) and it is 6 years old. For now, LP makes the best mask on the market.

And buying from Blue Gauntlet gets you the exact same product as buying from anyone else. That's like saying that your Adidas shoes are inferior because you bought them from Big 5 instead of Dick's.

[InFerrumVeritas]

Just wanted to chime in that if you sweat a lot, the removable lining in masks tends to wear out. I'd recommend the LP-XChange if you can afford it. It's a solid mask that's completely washable. The padding on the inside also has wicking material.

Really, any of your mask options are solid, however.

[SJCFU#2]

1600N applies only to the bib. The mesh has a completely different set of requirements that it must satisfy, all of which appear in Appendix A to the Material Rules.

Also, the mesh and bib for standard masks and those with removable linings are sufficiently identical that the FIE's list of approved masks doesn't even bother to distinguish between them.

[chase]

If you really value your safety you should get the best, which is Leon Paul. Their mask also has a removable bib which would be good for sweating. If you just want to be different for some dumb reason, Prieur makes good FIE masks too.

[migopod]

Do you know if there is a difference in quality between Allstar and Uhlmann? They are supposedly the same company.... but i have heard that buying from blue-gauntlet means an inferior product?

I would say that this is true with respect to items that BG manufactures or value-added stuff like a wired blade. The last two things I got from them were a plastron missing a D ring and a BF blue FIE epee blade with the wires glued to the tang and only one tip screw. If you're only getting something that they're re-selling, I'm sure that even they couldn't screw it up too badly.

[Superscribe]

I like the absolute FIE because it of the price, the fit, and because the bib is silky smooth.

At that level, i feel like those are good enough differentiators for me to make the choice.

[monitorlizerd]

As far as safety issues, all the masks have to meet the same requirements, so now its comfort and fit and price. I have an LP xchange saber mask, and I love it.
If you will be washing the liners frequently, you might want to get a spare one...that way you can wash one while you wear the other, or you will have a spare for when the first wears out.
With reasonable care, they should last you a good while.
And armorers EVERYWHERE will love you for presenting a clean, good-smelling mask for inspection.

[shlepzig]

Just wanted to chime in that if you sweat a lot, the removable lining in masks tends to wear out. I'd recommend the LP-XChange if you can afford it. It's a solid mask that's completely washable. The padding on the inside also has wicking material.

Really, any of your mask options are solid, however.

Just the other night I switched from my Xchange mask to a standard configuration mask (another LP mask pre XC), because I was washing my XC bib etc. I felt like I had stuck my head in an oven that night.

Previous to that I had not noticed what a huge difference the XC mask was to a the standard mask in regards to keeping my head cool and allowing sweat to evaporate.

-Shlep'

[yearsofwisdom]

i see. i think i may just go with the uhlmann removable fie mask. the LP doesn't fit my head well.... and is there a comfort/durability/value difference in allstar vs. ulhmann masks? the padding i see from pictures seems to be of different lengths....?


i also heard that the mesh shells of ulhmann and allstar are made in china now? does this mean they are of a lower quality than prior? and what is the year the mask should be made in for it to have been made in germany or something?i'm fairly new to fencing....

so does that mean i should go for a negrini??

[DangerMouse]

If the LP doesn't fit your head well, the Allstar probably won't either. The Uhlmann doesn't fit my head at all and the LP and Allstar fit perfectly.

I'm not sure where the mesh is made now for Uhlmann/Allstar, but the ones I've seen recently seem to be about the same quality as my old ones were.

The Negrini are not significantly better or worse than the Uhlmann. Both have had rough patches within the past 5 years or so, but they both seem to have fixed those. If you are looking for another option that fits like the Uhlmann, PBT and Absolute both make good masks.

[chase]

Masks can be adjusted, you know. And Leon Paul makes the most adjustable mask. You probably did not adjust it right.

[twisterfencing]

If you want a true German - quality - old Allstar/Uhlmann mask, you have to get the FWF FIE mask now.

Someone will chime in and tell you the story.

I sell them, Craig here at F.net sells them.

They are in my opinion one of (meaning = there are more) the best made - highest quality standards mask on the planet. Best cage, best welds, best mesh, best bib,,so on and so on.

Good luck!

Gary Spruill

I am about to buy a brand new FIE mask and i am looking mostly at the Allstar FIE mask. I fence foil, btw. I sweat a lot so i was thinking about getting the removable lining version. I have not tried any of these on so i was wondering, which is the highest quality between the Allstar normal fie mask, allstar removable lining, uhlmann normal fie and uhlmann removable. Which is the strongest and offers the most protection. and is the 1600N only for the bib or is that the mesh as well? what is the standard FIE protection of the mesh? also if these masks arn't that great in comfort,durability, safety or quality, what other brands other than LP would be good? I don't like the feel of their masks and i don't get a discount either....


and i would be orderin the allstar/uhlmann mask from blue-gauntlet... if that makes a difference.....
THANKS!

[RebelFencer]

Masks can be adjusted, you know. And Leon Paul makes the most adjustable mask. You probably did not adjust it right.

I hate it when the water cooler leaks.

LP is quality gear, but you really don't have to give the guys a reacharound.

[yearsofwisdom]

yeah i think ill just go with an uhlmann/allstar since i can get a discount on it. and from what i hear, the masks are good quality now

[RebelFencer]

yeah i think ill just go with an uhlmann/allstar since i can get a discount on it. and from what i hear, the masks are good quality now

As long as you don't go with Triplette you can't really go wrong with FIE masks.

[yearsofwisdom]

? why is that? and i don't ever really consider any products except those from AF, BG ocassionally, Ulhmann, Allstar and LP and several other world famous companies...