Switching to bayonet

[whtouche]

Im a sabre fencer, and up till now I've always used 2-prong body cords. I've decided very recently that I hate them. Too much trouble, the most common problem being that the retaining clip falls off spontaneously even after I tighten it constantly and maintain them.
Infact the only body cord I had that the clip didnt fall off, I lost. So I'm done, and switching to bayonet.
Suggestions?
What is a good bayonet body cord for under 25 dollars? I dont want to sacrifice quality, but hopefully nothing too expensive. Also, does the socket matter, be it from blue gauntlet vs allstar? It's been my understanding at least with 2 prong sabre sockets that the manufacturer really doesnt matter - I've never heard of someones socket failing.
Also any general advice I can get would be helpful. I've heard it's more difficult to service bayonet cords, but that they break less - is this true, and if so is it worth it?
Thanks

[Artisan]

Get the genuine Leon Paul bayonet socket. Mine seem to be holdiing up better than the chinese ones I started with. There's a small tab molded into the plastic part of the socket which keeps the plug from falling out that is prone to wear. The better quality stuff fits better and wears out less. Negrini make a a version of bayonet socket that looks kinda like a flashlight bulb socket. Haven't tried it - looks substantial tho'

[neevel]

If you are going to be using LP bayonet plugs and sockets, then get real Leon Paul (or Uhlmann/Allstar), and nothing else. That said, I still regard 2-prong as being the better choice for sabre. What make of 2-prong were you using? The machining for the parts of real Uhlmann plugs is better than most Uhlmann-style plugs, so you'll be less likely to have the problems with the screws for the retaining clip or for the pins working loose. You might also try applying some Loctite to the clip screw to keep it from working loose.


-Dave

[sallearmourer]

My family as been using the Itailian bayonet socket now for 15 years Then Negrini socket is one of the better made socket. I have bodycords from the 84 Olympics that my wife used. The wire is some of the best wire. American Fencers Swordmaster and I carry the Negrini Bayonet body cord and sockets.

Tim Loomis

Ye Olde Armourer

[whtouche]

Ok I've done some looking around.
How does everyone feel about PBT sockets and body cords? They're cheaper than most I've seen, and it's been my experience that PBT has quality stuff most of the time.
Also, where would I go about ordering negrini body cords and sockets? Is there a website?

Also, and this is probably a stupid question but I have little experience(none) with bayonet, but can I only use certain types of body cords with certain sockets? Or are they all interchangeable?
Thanks.

[DHCJr]

I have bought some Negrini from American Fencer. I have found PBT to be of good quality. If you keep the same style, they are somewhat interchanable. But with a few cavets. Prieur, Soudet, and Uhlmann are different styles. They sort of fix, but because of the different type of security device, not well. Also as said above, avoid the Chinese, the quality and fit of any style is not good at all. The quality and fit went out the window.

You talked about you always loosing the screw for the security device. What brand is it? Does it have Phillip screws?

[earlie]

Is bajonet fencing - I know the old guys in long a-go days they used to fence bajonet in the army college sport teams, but bajonet no you mean these botty wires, like that leong Paul, not the other the 2-prongs type that is a non-bajonet. Yes like confussing, the bajonet type it is a realijable botty wire.

[counter riposte]

In terms of installation and maintenance, the two prongs will definitly carry you for quite sometime. For keeping the thing in place, the bayonet will do better. I personally go with the leon paul bayonet, and have wired them permanently for Sabre (thanks Neevel) , so long as the ground wire doesn't break, you are good to go....

I agree with most of the post though, go with Leon Paul, an additional dollar or two is not going to kill you for the quality of the part.

Although you will have to get new body cords.... and that's a different story altogether.

[oiuyt]

Could just get new ends and swap. Significantly cheaper than entire new cords. Either you already know how to do this our you get the added benefit of learning. Remember that the top of the bayonet is the B line (won't even notice if you get it backwards as long as you only use it in sabre, but when you decide to play with a foil......).

-B :)