engraved bellguards

[Blacksack]

does anyone know if this is allowed i've seen painted masks and coloured blades but when it comes to bellguards what is and isnt allowed?
i ask because i often help out a local charity and i wouldnt mind engraving their logo on my bellguard (spread awareness n all that) but i dont want to turn up at an event or training session and have my epee rejected as that would leave me with 1 sword which means of course i cant compete

any info would be very helpfull thankyou

[migopod]

does anyone know if this is allowed i've seen painted masks and coloured blades but when it comes to bellguards what is and isnt allowed?
i ask because i often help out a local charity and i wouldnt mind engraving their logo on my bellguard (spread awareness n all that) but i dont want to turn up at an event or training session and have my epee rejected as that would leave me with 1 sword which means of course i cant compete

any info would be very helpfull thankyou

Engraved shouldn't be a problem provided it doesn't violate publicity code or have enough of a lip that it might catch a point etc. It probably won't last too long on an epee guard though, those things take a fair bit of abuse. That is unless it's small and really close to where the blade is. There's a sort of shadow effect that keeps the vniti logo all bright and new.

[Purple Fencer]

Engraved shouldn't be a problem provided it doesn't violate publicity code or have enough of a lip that it might catch a point etc. It probably won't last too long on an epee guard though, those things take a fair bit of abuse. That is unless it's small and really close to where the blade is. There's a sort of shadow effect that keeps the vniti logo all bright and new.

Not so much of a shadow as the printing's pretty deep and Vniti guards are almost indestructible....

[migopod]

Not so much of a shadow as the printing's pretty deep and Vniti guards are almost indestructible....

There is a bit of a shadow where you can still see the original media-blasted surface. Everywhere else is scratched up or burnished except a 4 or 5mm halo around the shoulder of the blade.

You're right about indestructible though. They've been through several years of use and not one of them has a single dent or divot.

[DangerMouse]

All of mine have cracked right at the blade shoulder after a couple years. No dents though. I decided the extra durability wasn't worth the extra cost.

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[migopod]

All of mine have cracked right at the blade shoulder after a couple years. No dents though. I decided the extra durability wasn't worth the extra cost.

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Weird. I've had mine for ages and they've never cracked. Of course one of my blades is a Chevalier that's been going strong for like 3 years and they're supposed to be ridiculously fragile, so maybe I'm just gentle.

[MHS Fencer]

All of mine have cracked right at the blade shoulder after a couple years. No dents though. I decided the extra durability wasn't worth the extra cost.

+about 10-15 for the cracked shoulders, and a few dents - although nothing that would prevent its use.

[Alex_Paul]

Leon Paul may be offering custom engraving on blades and bell guards in the near future...

Do people think there would be much uptake on this?

[Gav]

Unless it's on the inside of the guard (naming equipment seems like a good use) I don't really see the point.

Engraving weponry is nothing new and in the past was primarily used for ceremonial purposes.

[Blacksack]

thanks for the help guys i'm going to experiment on a cheap practice epee 1st

[D'Art]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a sew-on or iron-on badge made up to put on the back sleeve of your jacket? It'd also be more visible, probably longer lasting, and the charity would be able to either sell or give away others to raise awareness.

[badpenny]

Leon Paul may be offering custom engraving on blades and bell guards in the near future...

Do people think there would be much uptake on this?

I would absolutely love to custom engrave my blades and bell guards. Just having a quality engraving of my name would be awesome. Adding something arty would be cool.

[Blacksack]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a sew-on or iron-on badge made up to put on the back sleeve of your jacket? It'd also be more visible, probably longer lasting, and the charity would be able to either sell or give away others to raise awareness.

i'm not sure how this would fair in competition i've heard all kinds of rummours about what is and isnt allowed on your jacket in a tourney etc and seen as a new jacket is about £120 for a decent one and a new epee guard is about £8 its a bit of a no brainer for me as its cheaper to change guards than jackets but your right it would be more visable on the jacket

[D'Art]

i'm not sure how this would fair in competition i've heard all kinds of rummours about what is and isnt allowed on your jacket in a tourney etc and seen as a new jacket is about £120 for a decent one and a new epee guard is about £8 its a bit of a no brainer for me as its cheaper to change guards than jackets but your right it would be more visable on the jacket

You won't need a new jacket, as a sew on or iron on badge will come under the rules regarding sponsorship/advertising which are pretty clear, although I don't know them off-hand and can't be bothered looking for them in the rule book. I'm sure that, if you looked locally for a small print shop, you'd be able to get a run of 100 or so for a fairly minimal cost, especially if it's for a registered charity, and give the shop a line or two on the charity website or flyers...