Gear for the Larger Fencer

[rats_foiled_agn]

After half a life of being average in a variety of contact and racquet sports, and a host of injuries; about 6 months ago, at age 41, I decided to play out a childhood dream and begin fencing.

Fencing is great for me as it combines a great workout with the strategy and occassional agression of other sports (without the worry of taking a blind shot to the knees or having some one twenty years younger climbing your back for a rebound or sliding into second with spikes up).

Enough background, let's get to the issue at hand, I let myself go for awhile and let's just say in addition to being a big guy, I'm carrying a little extra. Fencing is helping me get back in shape, but I have a ways to go.

Though it is said fencing is a sport for all ages and sizes, I'm finding that most equiment manufactures seem to cater to that lean machine you always see on publications.

I would appreciate any tips from "larger" fencers on:

1. Manufacturers that have larger standard sizes.
2. Materials to look for or stay away from.
3. Alteration tips.
4. Larger pistol grips for big hands

Stuff for practice hasnt been too much of a problem, but, as my preferences develop and as I am moving into competing locally, a decent fit is becoming important.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Rat

ok I know the first question is going to be "Just how big is this guy? So I'll say it once (remember I'm on my way down).
Ht: 6' Wt: 260lb Normal Suit or Sportcot: 50L Waist: 42-44 (depending on the style)

[damianip]

Welcome.

I have to say it's a quite a coincidence because I did a very similar thing four years ago at the age of 41. On top of that, at the time, I was 6'0" and about 270 (jacket range 50-52L and 44" waist). I ran into the same problems as you: generally, fencing gear is made for slim, fit folk.

The best source I found for "big" gear off the rack has been Triplette. They make a wide range of sizes in jackets, pants and lamés. Their stuff is well made although, in the lower price ranges especially, a bit heavy.

I got my first jacket and my only lamé from them. I made the mistake of getting a back zip (I'm ambidextrous and wasn't sure of which hand to fence with). When I finally committed, I got a front zip jacket from Physical Chess. I then moved on to a synthetic jacket from American Fencer's Supply and finally settled on an FIE set from Soudet of France which I had custom made.

The moral of this story is that you can easily get the size you need from Triplette, and any of the larger manufacturers (Uhlmann, Allstar, Negrini and Triplette, too) will custom make gear for you for an additional fee (typically 10%, although Soudet didn't charge anything extra).

The key is to take honest measurements (not clothing sizes as these vary significantly) and give them to your vendor when trying to size or order gear.

Paolo

[Purple Fencer]

Go to my webpage www.homfencing.com I've put up the sizing chart I used when I recently had a custom set (knickers, jacker, foiul lame & FIE underarm protector) made for a guy who's about 6' 4" and 300+ lbs. The link to the chart is down the front page. it's a pdf form that you can fill out on line and print (so the measurements are legible).

[meph]

I'll be honest....I wear a size 54" lame. But my janket is only 50 and fits fine!!! My pants are 52.....I wear a 48" in normal pants.....So the moral here is that there seems to be no real standard in fencing sizing....I went though several places for my lame including physical chess and triplette. I finally got a good size at a nice procie from Blue Gauntlet. And they were VERY helpful in measuring the lame for me on phone.....very cool!

Meph