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PisteOff · 05-23-2003, 02:18 AM

Anyone know where I can find a good stainless steel, rounded-over edge sabre guard? I perused the common vendor's websites and didn't notice any. I really want stainless since sabre gear takes such a beating...

thanks,

==PisteOff==

remise · 05-23-2003, 01:55 PM

I don't fence sabre, but I got a wonderful guard from Tripplette that's stainless steel. It's a bit heavy, and lends weight to the weapon, but I've had opponents break their blades on my bell. Folks in my club refer to it as a Nissan that was melted down and forged into a guard. I'd ask if they carried sabre guards like it.

Inquartata · 05-23-2003, 03:04 PM

I believe that Santelli still carries one.

jeff · 05-23-2003, 07:26 PM

I'll ask. I know that several of Santelli's sabre guards are explicitly labelled as aluminum but don't know if they have stainless steel. FWIW, my sabre guards from them date back to the Year Of The Flood without much denting. OTOH, I have no idea what metal they're made from. When I hear from them I'll post again.

jeff · 05-24-2003, 11:53 AM

I got word back from Santelli's that basically all that's produced for years is aluminum, and nobody is producing the heavier steel guard. When it was available (and I quote) "way back it was mostly theatrical people and the old guard who wanted them." So, I guess the marketplace has spoken.

PisteOff · 05-24-2003, 02:42 PM

thanks for the feedback, all.

My quest for stainless continues.. =)

jeff · 05-24-2003, 04:47 PM

Good luck! Hey, maybe "the old guard" was meant as a pun...

sabrebelle · 05-25-2003, 04:49 PM

Two of my teammates fence with steel guards, and I believe they bought them from Triplette (or maybe Blue Gauntlet). They do not have a rolled edge, but they withstand quite a force, regardless. If you can't find them online or in the catalog, just call them up and ask.

Steel guards are definitely still produced, and with a weighted pommel and the correct blade setting they can be a force to be reckoned with.

Happy hunting!

MdeValdecarzana · 06-19-2003, 12:41 AM

I just bought some from the fencing post.

o4aversob · 06-30-2003, 11:26 PM

I was wondering, I know this is a little off topic, but what is the point of the pad underneath the bell? Is there any use for it whatsoever? The one i have on mine is a lot heavier than others, so I'm wondering what the advantage of that could be. It seems like the bell pad is just some accessory that adds weight to my foil.

PisteOff · 07-01-2003, 01:03 AM

In general, its purpose is to cushion the tips of your fingers as you grip close to the guard. Your fingers can get sort of rammed against the guard on a lunge also... On electric weapons it helps keep the wires protected underneath, also. Anything that keeps a sweaty glove away from metal parts is a good thing.

=)

==PisteOff==

earlie · 07-05-2003, 02:36 PM

Duralumin, my friend, duralumin.
And so anodised.......rabbit squidgey
RABBIT SQUIDGY!!!!!

Sfrozo · 07-21-2003, 05:36 PM

The only steel guard still being made (that I know of anyway) is one that is illegal for competition. Negrini carries a guard called the "Pecoraro" that is steel (periodically American Fencers' Supply carries it too). It's good for practice, the hand protection is not remarkably different from your standard Hungarian guard, but it is pricey.

Inquartata · 07-21-2003, 08:59 PM

Isn't that the pierced one? If so, I'd think it would be illegal for competition...

Sfrozo · 07-23-2003, 01:03 PM

No, it's pretty solid, but I think it is too large for competition. The bell flares a it at the top and on the sides (see Negrini's picture of it at http://www.negrini.com/pecoraro.htm). The only one with cutouts that I have seen is the "Masiello" sabre made by the late Oscar Kolombativich. AFS used to carry them--very pretty weapons! Is there another one out there?