Allstar vs LP and BF

[K O'N]

The big difference is that the LP feel crappy and the StM FIE feel nice. Weight is not all that important in blade choice.

The way a blade feels is completely determined by its weight, its rotational inertia and its flex (where on the blade and how much it flexes under a given force). That's it, as far as I can tell. Do you disagree with that?

So I would say weight does matter quite a lot. The only difference I can see between batches of BF FIEs, for example, is the weight and the resulting difference in rotational inertia, but they 'feel' very different to me.

K O'N

[DangerMouse]

I agree completely, but rotational inertia is related to the distribution of the mass along the blade more than the overall weight of the blade (at least for the weight variances we are talking about). The amount of flex of the blade, the location of flex, and the direction of flex are also very important for feel. What I was getting at is that the question of "which blade is lighter" is not a very good way to choose your blades.

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[Golden Chavelier]

Thanks K O'N and Danger Mouse for the help! Two last questions, though. The first, are clips absolutely needed to re-wire LPs, since we are on this topic. And the last is, since this is loosely related to this topic and too small to start a new thread; I saw a post stating that LP points are compatible with german point parts, except for the tip screws of course, so I was wondering if AF wire (which I think is german) is compatible with LP points (for a re-wire job I'm doing). As usual any help is appreciated

[VorpalCat]

are clips absolutely needed to re-wire LPs

No. I bend the blade, note the point on the wires that I want glued to the forte end of the blade, then bend the blade a bit more. I glue the wires to the blade at the aforementioned point and at the tip -- because of the additional bend, the wires are a little slack at this point so there's no tension on them. After the CA has set, I reverse the bend on the blade so the wires settle into the groove, double-check to make sure the wires haven't crossed, then glue the rest down. Although I have a set of the clips, I've never used them, having found this method works just fine for me.

I saw a post stating that LP points are compatible with german point parts, except for the tip screws of course, so I was wondering if AF wire (which I think is german) is compatible with LP points (for a re-wire job I'm doing). As usual any help is appreciated

I've been using the AF German wire with the LP point with no trouble. (Made the decision based on a note in the FDN shop.)

[Golden Chavelier]

Thanks for the help Vorpal Cat. Just wondering before I wire it up, and find out that I'll need to order more parts to rectify an issue that I created .

[DangerMouse]

Sometimes the cup on AF wires is a tight fit or needs to have a little extra plastic trimmed off with a knife, but it should work.

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[piste off]

Sometimes the cup on AF wires is a tight fit or needs to have a little extra plastic trimmed off with a knife, but it should work.

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Agreed.

BTW - I have had tremendous luck with the AF wires... they never short on me - EVER. But you have to be extra careful not to strip off the cotton(?) cover and Absolute tends to wrap them into a little bunch which I hate - so I've been thinking of switching to the true Germans (i.e. Uhlmann/Allstar).

Do you think they are as good?

R-

[TodG]

These discussions always drive me a bit crazy because people seem to conflate the FIE and non-FIE versions of blades. The non-FIE StM blades are crap. So much so that for our club, I either order the cheapest house brand blades, which are about the same quality for less money, or LP epee blades for durability. The FIE-StM epee blades are very consistent and much much better than their non-FIE counterparts.

I understand the difference. This is about price/performance for club blades. We keep a large number of club weapons on hand so that fencing is an option to those not well heeled enough to purchase all their gear right off.

In this case, a $77 non-FIE LP epee blade that lasts a couple of years is a much more cost effective solution for the club than an non-FIE STM at $40 that lasts 6 months. Serious fencers will eventually purchase their own weapons, and we have enough of a variety of blades that they can try before they buy.

I personally like the feel of the BF, but due to a prior injury my shoulder starts to hurt after about 15 minutes of fencing with a 'normal' blade, while I can use the LP all day.

[DangerMouse]

Agreed.

BTW - I have had tremendous luck with the AF wires... they never short on me - EVER. But you have to be extra careful not to strip off the cotton(?) cover and Absolute tends to wrap them into a little bunch which I hate - so I've been thinking of switching to the true Germans (i.e. Uhlmann/Allstar).

Do you think they are as good?

R-

I haven't used the Uhlmann/Allstar in years since I hate the little extension on the cup that always seems to catch the contact spring and cause it to bend and short out. I have had fantastic luck with the AF wires and I think they are the best standard wires on the market right now, especially since they are double insulated so you don't have to worry too much about the cotton covering. If you don't like the way the twist the wires into little balls that then turn into knots, I've found when I order 10 or more at a time they usually come wrapped in a circle that is much easier to deal with.

I also figure that since they are significantly cheaper than the other options, if I accidentally knot one up and have to throw it away it is still cheaper. I'd also prefer to screw up the wire before installation than have it pull out of the cup shortly after installing it (LP) or short out from only having a cotton wrap (French) or bend my contact spring (German).

[piste off]

I haven't used the Uhlmann/Allstar in years since I hate the little extension on the cup that always seems to catch the contact spring and cause it to bend and short out. I have had fantastic luck with the AF wires and I think they are the best standard wires on the market right now, especially since they are double insulated so you don't have to worry too much about the cotton covering. If you don't like the way the twist the wires into little balls that then turn into knots, I've found when I order 10 or more at a time they usually come wrapped in a circle that is much easier to deal with.

I also figure that since they are significantly cheaper than the other options, if I accidentally knot one up and have to throw it away it is still cheaper. I'd also prefer to screw up the wire before installation than have it pull out of the cup shortly after installing it (LP) or short out from only having a cotton wrap (French) or bend my contact spring (German).

Yeah, I've had unbelievable luck with them as well - which is why my experience with the others is dated. Dozens and dozens of blades and never a short. Perhaps I should just drive there and get a bunch before they twist them up...

R-

[Kimmuriel]

What's the difference between the Allstar's F.I.E. maraging epee blade ED 27P and the ED 37P? (Both of them are for pistol grip.)

[Golden Chavelier]

What's the difference between the Allstar's F.I.E. maraging epee blade ED 27P and the ED 37P? (Both of them are for pistol grip.)

ED 27P is the wired version of the FIE Maraging Super BF, while ED 37P is the unwired version of the blade. By the way, is it the same blade as a BF white, or is it actually different in some way?

[wdragon007]

BTW - I have had tremendous luck with the AF wires... they never short on me - EVER. But you have to be extra careful not to strip off the cotton(?) cover and Absolute tends to wrap them into a little bunch which I hate

The double-insulated wires from AF are what I use. Oddly enough, they're cheaper than the regular and I've never had a blade that I've rewired with them short out because of the wire. You just have to make sure that you sand off the varnish (which is the second insulation).

And as for LP blades? I've rewired several blades using German point parts. Never had a problem.

[Kimmuriel]

ED 27P is the wired version of the FIE Maraging Super BF, while ED 37P is the unwired version of the blade.

Thanks! Good to know that!