Artos Fechten, anyone?

[Dav3ey]

While looking for new/different equipment, came across

Artos Sport

and was wondering if anyone had experience with them.

Since Ich spreche Deutsch nicht but can fumble around within context, I was able to get a good idea of what they have, but am concerned that dealing with/shipping to the states will not work well.

Also, their photo of lame fabric seems interesting -- anyone know whether it's different?

[pammie003]

I poked aroung on their site - they don't metion anything about shipping anywhere, not even within Europe. They only give their address and invite people to come and visit them. The site also says that their store was only founded in 1997, so perhaps they haven't encorporated shipping into what they do yet.

Hope this helps.

[DHCJr]

There was a company named Musketeer, that changed their name to Artos because of some lawsuits. They closed the business and then reopened under the different name. They had FIE approved masks, but got in trouble when they started selling Artos FIE masks without resubmitting. I don't know if this is the same company, because I believe this was before 1997. Also they just went by Artos and were a French company.

[neevel]

The fabric looks like the what Triplette uses for the elastic panels in their stretch lames. The stuff is rather prone to snagging from what I've seen. Triplette places a single, strip-like panel of it on the back of the non-weapon side, where it's not going to get hit much and thus minimizes the chance of a snag. I'm not sure I'd want a lame made entirely of it.

-Dave

[ccm]

Hi,

I just checked out their site a bit and found ordering over the web is possible. It seems that they ship only inside Germany, though.

Greetings,

Chris

[Dav3ey]

Oh, well.

I must say that their web design is pretty good.

If someone drops buy their shop, s/he might suggest they add on int'l biz and some language support for those of us Americans who are -- contrary to our best efforts -- substantially monolingual.

[Foil-O-Me]

English is now available.
www.artos-sport.de

[rory]

In the UK some Artos kit is available from GoFence (http://www.gofence.com).
They do a really nice roll-out piste which was used at Athens: weighs about 20kilos and costs the same as a copper one.

The lames are really nice too - a couple of top UK fencers are road testing them right now.

[Gav]

Those pistes are great.

Having not regularly worn a lame for a long time I can't comment on them, but I have noticed quite a few on the circuit (when I bump into the occasional Foilist). They look very light.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I've fenced on these pistes, they're really nice.

Artos will (according to the arrangers) have a vendor stall at next years "Ystad International", as they did this year. The pricing is about the same as that of allstar/Uhlmann.

[dilznik]

They're ALL OVER the place here. They make almost everything but yeah, their pistes are definitely their strong suit. They're way lighter than the copper ones, so one person can heft them. You mop a gym floor and roll the piste out and it sticks to the floor, no tape needed. They're thicker than the copper pistes, so you don't need a pad underneath (USFA requirement?). And yeah, they're really durable, too.

[KD5MDK]

What is their cost?

[Zilverzmurfen]

What is their cost?

Artos Sport.

(Courtesy of Foil-O-Me.)

[KD5MDK]

Thanks. EUR 2500 doesn't look like a great deal to me (plus shipping) compared to the Turkish aluminum strips. Hmm...

[Lancelot76]

I can't recommend Artos as the quality of their fencing equipment is in general very low (especially compared to Uhlmann/Allstar). I fence in Germany and know a lot of people who have tried out Artos equipment. I have not met a single person yet who had a positive opinion on Artos. Especially, I would not buy any equipment from them that involves security issues. I know of a case where a NEW FIE Artos fencing mask was pierced by a foil in the bib area in a junior tournament even though this should not be possible according to FIE standards. (This was about 9 months ago). As far as I know Artos had to take their masks from the market and are now offering a new series. I have heard no good experiences regarding foil cables, lames or shoes from Artos either.
The only thing I can recommend are the fencing pistes. Artos has been offering them in Germany for about 2 years and they are very practical. They are very light-weighted compared to normal pistes and it is sufficient to fix the piste with tape at both ends (with the normal copper pistes one has to tighten them with special chains which is very time consuming). I have only fenced on Artos pistes twice up to now but was very positively surprised. The traction is excellent and up to now I haven't heard of any quality problems regarding the pistes.

[rory]

Hmm.
Interestingly, I heard heard that there was a rather large disagreement over the Artos masks.

Apparently, another well-known German equipment manufacturer was accused of faking a pierced mask, by damaging the mask by other means and then inserting a broken weapon into the manufactured hole.

A photot was then taken and sent to the SEMI: Artos had to take their masks off the market. They complained, and their masks were reinstated.

I've seen the pistes and the lames, and the quality to me seems high: I'm probably buying an Artos ame as my next one.

[dilznik]

I can't recommend Artos as the quality of their fencing equipment is in general very low (especially compared to Uhlmann/Allstar).
The only thing I can recommend are the fencing pistes. Artos has been offering them in Germany for about 2 years and they are very practical. They are very light-weighted compared to normal pistes and it is sufficient to fix the piste with tape at both ends (with the normal copper pistes one has to tighten them with special chains which is very time consuming). I have only fenced on Artos pistes twice up to now but was very positively surprised. The traction is excellent and up to now I haven't heard of any quality problems regarding the pistes.

I'm with you. I won't trade in any of my Uhlmann/Allstar stuff, but those Artos strips are the best portable ones EVER.
The lames should be banned. They're this smooth material that seems designed to have tips slide off as a result of the new timings.

[rory]

I'm with you. I won't trade in any of my Uhlmann/Allstar stuff, but those Artos strips are the best portable ones EVER.
The lames should be banned. They're this smooth material that seems designed to have tips slide off as a result of the new timings.

Angulation, meet Dilznik. Dilznik, this is Angulation.

[Flonnova]

Artos is trying to get their foot inside the door in Austria, but the exclusive contract existing between Uhlmann/Allstar and a company in Lower Austria is making it very difficult for them! Here, we have two choices: You go to Reutlingen in Germany and purchase direct from the Allstar plant) or you buy in Moedling.... and there is a large amount added to the price, since these companies only deliver to this address! The Companies only deliver to the province of Vorarlberg (actually they think they are german... but thats another story..!) and nowhere else, which is a pain in the butt. Which reminds me... my rollbag is waiting for pickup! There is a hungarian company namd PBT, but not all products are recommendable. Just like any other company. Artos is supposed to be a bit more economical (cheaper didn't fit in there!) and we'll see what happens with their entry into the austrian market.

thanks for the link anyway, and i'll check it out!