Taking Care of Equipment

[19anonymous88]

Add your tips, advice, myths, questions, etc about how to care for or lengthen the lifespan of your gear.

[TBean]

Wash it regularly. Do not let your uniform get so gross no one wants to stand next to you - sweat is not great for it. I wash my FIE gear once every week, and the longest it will go is two weeks. I train two to three days per week. I also wash my mask regularly - you must make sure you dry the mesh off well so rust does not form. Also - if possible - hang your uniform between wearings, that way it won't stink or mildew. Finally if carry all your equipment in one bag find a way to keep wet things away from your blades - helps them not rust, and keeps rust stains off your clothes.

[19anonymous88]

When washing a washable lame, most metallic lames come with directions that say no detergent, delicate and at ~30 degrees (no drying).

I've heard that cleaning a metallic lame (non washable or washable) with windex (spray on the lame, wipe off with a paper towel and hang to dry) will actually help to restore some conductivity.

I've heard that handwashing equipment with woolite results in a deeper clean than machine washing.

-I cannot verify this, because I've tried the "spray on and wipe with damp towel method" and all it has done is make a tiny blank spot on my LP sabre mask bib. It still works, but I'm afraid of using it on any other conductive material. (can you wash the removable bib and lining in a washing machine?)



Im using an absolute ultralight sabre lame which i bought from the absolute vendor during the temple open in 2009 (Oct. 31) I was told that those- depending on treatment- will last anywhere between 2 to 6 months. I'm in my 4th month of use. Anyone know what material it is made of, or possibly a way to extend the life of it?

[SJCFU#2]

When washing a washable lame, most metallic lames come with directions that say no detergent, delicate and at ~30 degrees (no drying).

With a lame (especially a metallic one) you are probably better off hand washing, or at least using a front-load washer (which tends to be more common in Europe). The agitator inside a top loading washing machine can be rough on a lame (especially metallic threads which don't like being flexed back and forth a whole lot).

I've heard that cleaning a metallic lame (non washable or washable) with windex (spray on the lame, wipe off with a paper towel and hang to dry) will actually help to restore some conductivity.

That works best with copper-based lames (the ones with green stains around the collar and under the arm holes).

I've heard that handwashing equipment with woolite results in a deeper clean than machine washing.

It's almost certain to be easier on the material (especially if you are using a top-loading machine, which is likely to be the case in the US).

Im using an absolute ultralight sabre lame which i bought from the absolute vendor during the temple open in 2009 (Oct. 31) I was told that those- depending on treatment- will last anywhere between 2 to 6 months. I'm in my 4th month of use. Anyone know what material it is made of, or possibly a way to extend the life of it?

Treat it with extreme care. Never wash it with anything harsher than pure water. And realize that one of these days it will simply die (maybe start saving for a replacement).

[Purple Fencer]

Washing instructions are on my website....see the signature block.

[monitorlizerd]

OK...
NEVER machine wash a lame, no matter what they say. woven-metal fabric cant handle flexing of the fabric, and the surface treated lames (of which Absolute is the most notorious, and I have one, too, so I can talk) wont stand it, the finish will rub right off. It does that anyway, just from normal use.
Rinse the surface treated lames gently, with water only, dont scrub, dont wring. Hang it up and let dry.
It is possible to hand wash a metal-fabric lame. run coolish water in the tub (2-3 inches), and add a small capful of Woolite. You can also add a bit of ammonia if needed. gently slosh the lame around-never scrub hard, or wring. If you have lots of corrosion, or a bad stain, you can scrub with a very soft toothbrush.
Then you rinse. And rinse. And rinse. About the time you're sure you've rinsed enough, rinse it at least three more times. Any soap or cleaning substance left on the lame will insulate it.
Then you put it on a PLASTIC or WOOD hangar, and let dry. If you can put it in the sun, so much the better, it'll help with the stink.
The same goes for lame bibs, removable or not.
PVC pipe will help protect the blades from other bag contents, and helps protect the tips of foils and epees from wet, dirt, and othe abuse in the bag.
Even if you dont wash every time after practice, take the wet stuff out of the bag and let it air dry. This includes the mask. It will help cut down on the smell. In the bag, as well as on the clothes and mask.

*getting down off the soapbox now*

[Mac A. Bee]

...one of these days it will simply die (maybe start saving for a replacement).

Whereas metalics slowly degrade, alerting you to replacement need, an Ultralight will suddenly not pass. I had to buy a metalic, the only one available at the tournament where this happened.

[afriendlycat]

As for weapons, there are three things I do regularly to maintain them.

Edit: Though apparently you fence saber so ignore it...

For epee tip screws, I make sure they are still tight before every practice, or maybe every other practice. As your weapon gets old they sometimes just get loose and this way you catch it before you lose one.

For epee and foil, every month or two I take the tip out and clean it and the barrel off with isopropyl alcohol. Dirt and metal bits slowly accumulate and the point doesn't travel as easily, which may cost you a touch.

Lastly, rubbing the guard off with a wet paper towel or steel wool makes sure it conducts like it is supposed to.

[brtech]

More tips

Cords
Wind them in a way that doesn't twist the wires, and doesn't get tangled up in your bag. Every 3 months or so, open the ends and tighten the pin screws. If you use LP, do it every month (loosen, then tighten). Inspect your cords regularly. You can often spot a failure about to happen, and get it fixed before you get to the tournament.

Weapons
As was mentioned, clean the tips (epee/foil) every month. Treat any surface rust promptly. Store in PVC tubes in your bag. Keep your handle tight. If it loosens, be careful you don't pinch the wire when you realign (foil/epee). Every couple of months, tighten the sockets.

Masks
Clean in a 5 gal bucket with a scrub brush. You can use a little Woolite. Squeeze out the water in the bib by sandwiching it in a towel. Hang up to dry where there is some airflow. Store it in a pillowcase (or a tshirt) in your bag.

Lame
Covered. Woolite, a bit of ammonia (Windex will do), no wringing, swish, swish, swish, then rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse some more. Hang it up to dry. It will last a lot longer if you store it hung up. The next best is to roll it up in a towel. The next best is to wad it. The absolute worst is to fold it neatly. Your mom will hate that, but it's true (more important for conventional lames than ultralights). Yeah, it comes from the factory folded. That is the ONLY time it should ever be folded.

Uniform
Wash in a clothes washer following manufacturers directions. Hang up to dry.

Glove
Most are washable: check the label.

[Fiat Slug]

Add your tips, advice, myths, questions, etc about how to care for ... your gear.

Wear a cup.

.

[Inquartata]

But never a goblet, a mug or a champagne flute.