Best brand of Mask

I'm new to fencing and getting ready to buy new equipment.
My question is about the different brands of masks for the Foil.
I have done some internet research and looked at the ones at my fencing
club.

I thinking of Negrini but haven't had a lot of experienced feedback
on the other brands yet.

Any suggestions???

ChrisMSD

In article <yJaN9.28092$vb3.1589706@news2.west.cox.net>, "ChrisMSD"
<ChrisMSD@cox.net> writes:

>I'm new to fencing and getting ready to buy new equipment.
>My question is about the different brands of masks for the Foil.
>I have done some internet research and looked at the ones at my fencing
>club.
>
>I thinking of Negrini but haven't had a lot of experienced feedback
>on the other brands yet.

I am on a personal crusade against some of the least expensive masks that
consist of only an outer layer, foam and a flimsy inner layer. If the outer
layer develops a hole, or a seam opens, there is nothing between your throat
but foam and the liner. One characteristic of these masks is that they are very
light. That may seem like an advantage but it also means an absolute minimum of
protection

I am not mentioning brand names, just examine the mask.

I use FIE masks. but if you don't with to spend that much, consider masks made
by Uhlmann, Allstar, etc. that are not FIE. They have several layers of
protection, something significant backing up the outer layer.

Bill Hall

fencerbill@aol.com (Fencerbill) wrote in
<20021222224042.07882.00000271@mb-mr.aol.com>:

>I am on a personal crusade against some of the least expensive masks
>that consist of only an outer layer, foam and a flimsy inner layer.
>If the outer layer develops a hole, or a seam opens, there is nothing
>between your throat but foam and the liner. One characteristic of
>these masks is that they are very light. That may seem like an
>advantage but it also means an absolute minimum of protection
>
>I am not mentioning brand names, just examine the mask.

I think it would be useful to mention the brand names. If (as is the case
with many people) the only way to buy fencing gear is online, it doesn't
do much good to say "look at the mask." Sure, you can look at the masks
other people are wearing at the club, but they might not have a wide
range of styles, or they might be old ones that aren't manufactured now.

I have never been squeamish about saying the brand names of products or
companies whose products I don't like or don't think are well made. By
making and advertising their product, they put themselves in the public
spotlight; it's not like we're unjustly "dissing" the product if there
are specific reasons not to like it. If a company is making masks that
people feel are unsafe, it's to everyone's best interest in the end that
the subject be discussed openly.

In my personal experience, I don't care for the low-end Santelli masks,
because in the ones I've seen, the bib is very short, and in my opinion
doesn't provide enough of an overlap with the jacket collar to be really
safe. On the other hand, I've been happy with the Triplette (mid-range)
and Blue Gauntlet (basic) foil masks I've owned, as they've seemed
decently solid with good bibs.

--Holly

Allstar masks are generally very good, Santelli masks suck dont even waste the
time looking at them, Blue Gauntlet masks are generally very good. I am a firm
believer that you dont have to spend alot, but you do get what you pay for, so
the extra 20 or so dollars is worth it when it comes to your safety. if a price
seems very low or too good to be true, it probably is.

I have had good luck with a cheap, Chinese-made mask from Blue Gauntlet.
With "similar" wear, the bib has survived much better than Negrini masks
bought at the same time.

It has passed the punch test just fine too.


"Alison1daland" <alison1daland@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20021223124507.18095.00000430@mb-fc.aol.com...
> Allstar masks are generally very good, Santelli masks suck dont even waste
the
> time looking at them, Blue Gauntlet masks are generally very good. I am a
firm
> believer that you dont have to spend alot, but you do get what you pay
for, so
> the extra 20 or so dollars is worth it when it comes to your safety. if a
price
> seems very low or too good to be true, it probably is.

Does Negrini still make masks?

--
Amy and Joseph Kormann

www.Negrini.com


"Amy & Joseph Kormann" <ajkormann@monmouth.com> wrote in message
news:3E07B8AC.103@monmouth.com...
> Does Negrini still make masks?
>
> --
> Amy and Joseph Kormann
>
>

"Peter Harrison" <pbharriso@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<au7llp$6no$1@ngspool-d02.news.aol.com>...
> I have had good luck with a cheap, Chinese-made mask from Blue Gauntlet.
> With "similar" wear, the bib has survived much better than Negrini masks
> bought at the same time.
>
> It has passed the punch test just fine too.
>
>
> "Alison1daland" <alison1daland@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20021223124507.18095.00000430@mb-fc.aol.com...
> > Allstar masks are generally very good, Santelli masks suck dont even waste
> the
> > time looking at them, Blue Gauntlet masks are generally very good. I am a
> firm
> > believer that you dont have to spend alot, but you do get what you pay
> for, so
> > the extra 20 or so dollars is worth it when it comes to your safety. if a
> price
> > seems very low or too good to be true, it probably is.

My only complaint with the BG mask is that the rivits are chrome
plated steel and those of us with very corrosive sweat will need to
replace the rivits within one year of hard use. I know that I had to.
It's not a big deal if you know how to use a pop rivet gun.

Dave Mikolaitis

I heard from my old coach that Leon Paul is the single largest
manufacturer for mesh worldwide and that other companies just buy
their mesh from them and the create the mask.

I'm such a cheap bastard that's I'd actually attempt to make one.
Especially one like that Musketier brand my old coach from England
has. Apparently they went out of business for fudging their FIE
something or other. Anyway the mask is cool since it has greater
protection for the back of the head.

However, for Safety's sake, I wouldn't hesitate to just buy the
current 1600NW mask or whatever is the highest safety standard.
Remember, its only fun til somene gets an eye poked out, then its
really fun.

Happy Christmas,

Phillip J. Inoy


afn02703@afn.org (David W. Mikolaitis) wrote in message news:<9885f50e.0212240401.7f575af4@posting.google. com>...
> "Peter Harrison" <pbharriso@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<au7llp$6no$1@ngspool-d02.news.aol.com>...
> > I have had good luck with a cheap, Chinese-made mask from Blue Gauntlet.
> > With "similar" wear, the bib has survived much better than Negrini masks
> > bought at the same time.
> >
> > It has passed the punch test just fine too.
> >
> >
> > "Alison1daland" <alison1daland@aol.com> wrote in message
> > news:20021223124507.18095.00000430@mb-fc.aol.com...
> > > Allstar masks are generally very good, Santelli masks suck dont even waste
> the
> > > time looking at them, Blue Gauntlet masks are generally very good. I am a
> firm
> > > believer that you dont have to spend alot, but you do get what you pay
> for, so
> > > the extra 20 or so dollars is worth it when it comes to your safety. if a
> price
> > > seems very low or too good to be true, it probably is.
>
> My only complaint with the BG mask is that the rivits are chrome
> plated steel and those of us with very corrosive sweat will need to
> replace the rivits within one year of hard use. I know that I had to.
> It's not a big deal if you know how to use a pop rivet gun.
>
> Dave Mikolaitis