PBT Fencing Equipment

[andrewsmmm]

Hi all

I am about to purchase a new fencing jacket and knickers. I am considering PBT's 350N version.

Anyone have any experience with this manufacturer?

Cheers

Mark

[Danzan]

I recently ordered both the jacket and knickers - 350N - from them. Very happy with the fit, construction, etc. , as well as their customer service.

My one word of "caution" is to be careful of sizes. I had ordered the jacket that should have fit according to their measurements. It did, but was very tight in the shoulders (NOT where I was worried about it being tight. ) I ended up getting a jacket two sizes up, but I've been very happy with it.

cheers,
Chris

[LDR]

I've bought several items from fencePBT.com (jacket, mask, glove, dry foil), and I think they're terrific. Customer service is great, and they have always responded to my emails the same day. Shipping was pretty quick, too; just two days from NC to OH without extra delivery charges.

I purchased a 350N jacket from them not too long ago, and at first, I also thought it was a bit snug in the shoulders. But then again, I'm use to wearing the "one-size-fits-all" cotton-denim jackets at the club that are usually oversized anyway. PBT jackets have a tapered cut as well, so they don't bag out like cotton-denim.

Nothing but praise from me, and I'll keep buying from them.

- LDR

[latenight]

I have both the 350n and the fie uniforms. They are great.

Customer service is always top notch.

[Mulligan]

I like the bright colored masks....they make you look like a "mighty morphin power ranger!"

[edew]

I have not bought too many things from PbT, and the looks of their stuff while I walk by their booth at tournaments look good.

However, I did buy a pair of their PbT fencing shoes. Piece o' cr4p. The inner sole is cardboard fergawdsakes.

I will (and have) returned to Adidas for my fencing shoes.

[MikeHarm]

I liked their shoes. Their reels weren't good, and the epee's I got I didn't like, the guards were too light and crushed easilly, and the blades needed constant straightening, which is a pain with the new rules about it having to be perfectly straight every on guard. I had one of their washable gloves also, it wore out within a year, and washing seemed almost like it was accelerating the rate of it wearing out which was kinda strange. Maybe it didn't like my detergent.

[Jason]

I've had their shoes, a sabre mask and a weapon.
Crap, crap, crap.
(No, I'm not retarded: I bought all the stuff at the same time.)

I still have one of their bags, but that's only because I'm too poor to get one of quality.

The big advantage of PBT used to be the crazy low prices, but since opening up in the US, it doesn't seem worth it to me.

[pkt]

3 of our juniors bought the PBT stuff: sabre masks, manchettes, etc. One of the elec. sabre masks rusted within a month - on a 2x a week basis. Guess what mask this kid bought as a replacement? Allstar/Uhlmann.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MikeH,

To reduce the wear and tear of the washable gloves I put it in one of those bags for washing fine fabrics. It has nothing to do with the detergent.

(Turn your jeans inside out before you put it in the washing machine and the back pockets won't catch on the other laundry, it will extend the life of your jeans. Ditto with your darks.)

The epee blades' max bend is 1 cm measured at the centre. It does not have to be perfectly, arrow straight.

PK

[Lemberg]

What about PBT's wheel bags? Are they any good? They certainly look nice and roomy.... Any experience? Or perhaps any other good bags someone's using? I'm tired of my hockey goalie bag with soft bottom which if I ever decided to fence a french grip epee I'd never been able to use (not even speaking about the "bags" I used while in Ukraine)

[esgrimista1]

Several of us have them. Got the 2 best of the bags, They work great. has 2 parts that zip off the main bag so you can separate your personal stuff from your equipment. Been all over Europe and back to US w/them - held up great and still look new. By the way we also have PBT sabre electric masks and jackets - no problems at all after HEAVY daily use. Great service, fast delivery, nice people. Didn't like the shoes - wore out quick and were stiff. went back to Adidas, but will stick w/PBT for other stuff.

[Sabresque]

I have a PBT lame (sabre), and it's held up pretty well. They've been nice people, and good service. Disclaimer: I've only bought form their booth at NACs, never ordered anything by mail.

[DangerMouse]

I've got one of their jackets and have been extremely happy with it as well as the quality of their tip parts and wires.

Seeing the complaints about their blades, I think they buy their blades from Blaise Frerem the same forge that makes the Triplette, Uhlmann/Allstar, and some other brands. I've never like any of the standard forged blades (I use the Leon Paul rolled steel), but my point is that the problems you see with PBT blades should be the same with many other brands.

I know a couple other people that use their masks and clothing exclusively and it really seems to hold up well. I don't know about their saber masks, but their foil/epee masks are comfortable and well made.

Lastly, their customer service is top notch. They have never messed up an order that I've placed with them and they have even special ordered a few items from Hungary for me.

[The_Claw]

Just pounced in to say: i haven't bought there stuff yet. so far, i've been a tripplette, santelli, american and post vendor buyer, depending on their stuff. the pbt stuff looks nice, i did see someone's sneakers and i like the wearer better than the shoe, i feel he should get a nice pair of leather uhlman's and see how his foot feels then. American still has my #1 vote so far, simply because they have so much, that if they're out of something you can talk with them about other things; I did see a nice bag from another vendor i'd like to get. Alas, still out of work and watching those pennies!!!

p.s. dangermouse, I like your avator, meow! watch out dangermouse, I will balestra you! -
aaaarrrrrccooooooonnnnnnooooooohhhhharrrccoooonnnn nn

p.p.s. what's with the pixie sticx thing. i realize we've all been good, and leaving them alone, but peter and aoelfe, have been in the pixie stick folder for a few days now, and i'm sort of getting worried!