Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

***Craig*** · 06-02-2003, 12:24 PM

What are your favorite vendors?

DJ Apostrophe · 06-02-2003, 12:37 PM

My club orders direct from Uhmlann in Germany... very happy with it. Other than the random time they sent me two different size grips... that confused me...
-w

edew · 06-02-2003, 01:15 PM

Since I'm in the west coast, I use strictly American Fencers and The Fencing Post. Both have supplied me with great service over the years. Then again, I've supplied them with great cash over the years, too. That's how things seem to work around here.

JEC · 06-02-2003, 01:28 PM

Perhaps, we should split the poll to reflect vendors' qualities (service, shipping, returns, variety) from manufacturers' qualities (Uhlmann, Allstar, PBT, Negrini, etc.). The alternative argument is that in the end, as a consumer, the transaction is made with the vendor. Any opinions?

epeemike81 · 06-02-2003, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JEC
Perhaps, we should split the poll to reflect vendors' qualities (service, shipping, returns, variety) from manufacturers' qualities (Uhlmann, Allstar, PBT, Negrini, etc.). The alternative argument is that in the end, as a consumer, the transaction is made with the vendor. Any opinions?

I don't think anybody is blaming vendors for quality of goods which are not their own. The complaints I have seen so far seem to be about service. In other words, I think this distinction is understood by all.

-m

JEC · 06-02-2003, 03:08 PM

Mike,
That wasn't the point of my post. If I am Fencing Post, I have some of the highest quality (Uhlmann) at slightly higher price than if I am other vendor that does not sell german but only sells French or Italian or Paul. Some items are available across most vendors (i.e.: blades), which is then when "service and cost" are going to be the most important qualities. Other times, my preference for vendor is limited by the manufacturer that they buy from. I do not buy from American Fencers despite that they have a reasonable track record mostly because 90% of our equipment is Uhlmann or Allstar, and those brands are not their "forte", thus, limited selection and higher prices as compared to Fencing Post. Furthermore, if you buy large orders, you can get a nicer discount that is comparable to buying from the german re-seller at current exchange.
See you at Nationals.
JEC

epeemike81 · 06-02-2003, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JEC
Mike,
That wasn't the point of my post. If I am Fencing Post, I have some of the highest quality (Uhlmann) at slightly higher price than if I am other vendor that does not sell german but only sells French or Italian or Paul. Some items are available across most vendors (i.e.: blades), which is then when "service and cost" are going to be the most important qualities. Other times, my preference for vendor is limited by the manufacturer that they buy from. I do not buy from American Fencers despite that they have a reasonable track record mostly because 90% of our equipment is Uhlmann or Allstar, and those brands are not their "forte", thus, limited selection and higher prices as compared to Fencing Post. Furthermore, if you buy large orders, you can get a nicer discount that is comparable to buying from the german re-seller at current exchange.
See you at Nationals.
JEC

that would seem to fall under "variety", which was listed as a vendor quality in your post. The vendor cannot be held accountable for poor equipment from a certain brand. they CAN and SHOULD, however, be held accountable for what brands they choose to carry.

-m

epeemike81 · 06-02-2003, 04:49 PM

btw, craig, you may want to combine blade and physical chess, as they are the same company.

-m

R. Exnicios · 06-02-2003, 05:33 PM

fechtsport-langenkamp

jeff · 06-02-2003, 08:15 PM

<fan warning>I've been buying Santelli since 1969 (yikes!) and have never had a problem with product quality or service. When both it and I were in NYC it was easy to drop in; now both are in northern NJ, and it's even easier for me. I've been blessed in not knowing how to rewire a blade or other annoying jobs, since I can bring it to them and they'll fix it quickly, correctly, and cheaply. I've seen them on the phone with beginners explaining which starter set to buy, and how to save money. I know the management well, and know that they're picky about which suppliers they buy from. And, they have their own stuff that's "Made in the USA"</fan warning>

Inquartata · 06-02-2003, 09:28 PM

Since we can vote for more than one, I will note that different vendors have different strengths. Viz I get most of my sabre blades from BG, clothing from Triplette, and other items from either Blade or Fencing Post dependiing mostly on price. I intend to try fechtsport-langenkamp for my next large-scale buy ( ie mask and lame ) and will hope my current gear lasts until the dollar strengthens a bit again...

dreadfoil · 06-02-2003, 09:35 PM

I used to buy exclusively from American and Fencing Post also.

My only criteria is, which brands do they carry, at a reasonable price, and can I call them on the phone and ask a few little questions - I can tell better by a persons voice if they're nice or not, then I'll make a decision.

One reason I hate shopping for foils or epees, is that every time you select one weapon, you have to select a grip, a tip, a rh/ or lh/a grip size; a fie or non; a special flick style or not; which bell? what guard? a german point or a french point, or a leave it to me point? Which socket, three/two prong or bayonett.

So, I found a vendor that only sells a few items and stick with that. I used to buy Uhlman's only, but then went to france Lames'; negrini I'd like to try as well as.

Catlady · 06-03-2003, 12:17 AM

I voted for PBT, Blue Gauntlet and Blade.

Actually I like PBT best. I've e- mailed them before with questions and they were incredibly helpful. I really like their site as well. Their equipment is high quality, though they stock German tips only. Right now I have a mix of French and German, but am slowly starting to switch to all German as the French stuff breaks, so I don't order those parts from them now.

I buy lames and gloves from BG. They're inexpensive, but fairly decent quality for the price. If I fenced at a high level and a bit more often, I might look elsewhere though. I did have a bad experience though with a batch of their body cords.

I'm not as thrilled with Blade as I used to be. But now that France Lame is out of business, their company brand blades are about the only kind of inexpensive blade I've tried that I like.

I've heard wonderful things about Fencing Post, but since they don't have an on-line order form I've been too lazy to order from them. However I do have both Fencing Post shoes and a Post jacket, which were purchased through my club, and I'm satisfied with both.

Capt. Slo-mo · 06-03-2003, 12:40 PM

We buy almost exclusively from Amanda at Blue Gauntlet, but we always get our equipment at the NACs, not through the mail.

They've always bent over backwards to fix the few things we've had a problem with, and Amanda is a wiz at picking out items and sizes to match growing kid's frames and abilities.

JEC · 06-03-2003, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. Slo-mo
They've always bent over backwards to fix the few things we've had a problem with, and Amanda is a wiz at picking out items and sizes to match growing kid's frames and abilities.

I think that is what distinguishes Saul (Fencing Post) and Amanda/Mr. Chen (BG) from all the other vendors. Furthermore, I appreciate their honesty. Between the two, they have almost half of the votes.

veeco · 06-03-2003, 01:42 PM

Right, the race is on! Who will finish first?! TFP or BG?

Place your bets now!

Personally I have never ordered from BG, as Saul was always close in location to me I pretty much dealt exclusively with him. Saul (a.k.a ChiChi) is a great guy, and gives back a lot to the fencing community, which is what I appreciate the most about him.

Now that I am France I have had good experience with Estoc. Their screwless tips kinda suck, so I buy bare blades and wire them myself (I have a large collection of German wires). The lady I talked to was really nice and she talked with me for a long time. I had a demo of their wireless system which seems really nice for salles and competitions run ad-hoc in gyms. The only complaint I'd have about it is that it requires new points on your weapon for epee and foil to test for the grounding and that the connectors are a little different from the standard 3 prong at the "reel" end of the bodycord.

For clothing it's Prieur or Uhlmann.

latenight · 06-03-2003, 02:41 PM

I only buy PBT. They are not the cheapest, but the customer service is incredible. I get emails back within hours, not days. I've never had a messed up order. I have nothing but praise for those guys. The uniforms are really well made.

Katman · 06-03-2003, 03:07 PM

I've got a mish mash of Blue Gauntlet, Triplette, and Ulmahn fencing stuff. Long as the stupid thing fits/works/i like it, I couldn't care less. Then again, I discovered a fencing store here in Houston that stocks a buncha different brands. Fairly convient, though I've yet to buy a weapon from them. We'll see. ;D

chopo · 06-03-2003, 06:35 PM

About the only vendor I won't order from is Triplette. Back in the 80's, they were very good, but for the last 5 years or so, they're customer service has gone away. After getting a non-responsive, smart-*** answer to my repeated emails and phone calls, I concluded they are not worthy of my meager fencing dollars. American, TFP, and BG have been great. Blade, too, has been very helpful on occasion.

drizzt_do_urden · 06-05-2003, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by veeco

Saul is a great guy, and gives back a lot to the fencing community, which is what I appreciate the most about him.

I would agree with you completely with this. He has also given me some great private fencing lessons. Nothing against the other vendors, but I am 100% sold on the Fencing Post for my fencing gear needs.