Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Louweasel · 07-07-2003, 12:29 PM

Hello there,
After a term wearing the manky old jackets belonging to my club, I have decided to buy my own. The wrong sizes, the zip up the back and the waft of other people’s sweat have become just too much…

So what things should I bear in mind when buying my first jacket? Any advice gratefully received. I’m just not sure what I should be looking for/ensuring.

Also, where to buy it? I’ve never been comfortable buying things I am going to wear off the net as I like to try things on (wise if you are a fine strapping statuesque girl like myself, if you take my meaning) so I was thinking of toddling on up to Leon Paul in Camden but if anyone knows of any other shops in London that might be worth a look, please do suggest them.

Thanks everyone!

Gav · 07-07-2003, 01:58 PM

Hey Louweasel,

In middlesex you've also got Duellist - www.duellist.com.

There's another shop nearby by as well, but I can't remember which.

You should be looking at fit, comfort and protection in a jacket. If you are not competing then 350N will probably do. If you compete then consider 800N.

If you compete then you can always try on the jackets when you see a stall at a tourney.

Ask around at your club as well and get some opinions from those that you know.

hawaii kid · 07-14-2003, 07:37 PM

Louweasle,
I did o.k. with "pants" but Manky ???

I gotta get an "English" dictionary....

Oh. And to answer your question, what do I look for in a fencing jacket? My first choice is fine, strapping, statuesque girls....

theperfect01 · 07-14-2003, 08:06 PM

Fine, strapping, statuesque girls, huh? Well, you've come to the right place, Hawaii Kid...

Back to the topic.. Personally, I've got the Uhlmann Olympian jacket..it's absolutely beautiful and makes it so my arms don't look so much like a pin cushion. I wasn't planning on getting it but then when I tried it on, I was hypnotized and had to have it. So my suggestion is DO NOT TRY ON JACKETS OUT OF YOUR PRICE RANGE or you will be sucked in and no other jacket will do. Though, being a fine, strapping, statuesque girl, they were willing to bargin with me and make it affordable.

kbo518 · 07-14-2003, 08:47 PM

Don't be a cheapskate! I was and I had to buy another jacket the within a year.

Foilboy · 07-14-2003, 08:57 PM

I think Triplette jackets are great. The cotton version is form fitting, soft, airy denim, not duck or canvas, providing comfort. It's alot of protection for the buck, too.

CarlKnoch · 07-15-2003, 09:37 AM

My first jacket was a Blue Gauntlet 350N. Not bad. A bit heavy in the front but a stretch panel in the back that was nice. Worked very well.
Then I switched to a Blade Fencing cotton 350N. It sucked as it didn't fit well at all. It would have fit if I had been shaped like a bell. It worked fine as it was also thick cotton.
Then I moved on to the Uhlmann Classic. It's also 350N, and ready for competition here in the states. The jacket fits like a glove! What a great feeling jacket it is! Very light and nice and thin! There was a bit of a problem because it was a bit thin and my chest started looking like a caning victim. So I bought a plastic chest plate and it's all fine now!

If you possibly can, TRY IT ON BEFORE YOU BUY! Find the one that is front zip and allows you to move unrestricted without being too baggy at the waist.

Good luck.

Louweasel · 07-16-2003, 01:23 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice - it will very helpful and I will definitely feel better informed when I go to the shop.

Quote:

Originally posted by hawaii kid
Louweasle,
I did o.k. with "pants" but Manky ???

I gotta get an "English" dictionary....

Oh. And to answer your question, what do I look for in a fencing jacket? My first choice is fine, strapping, statuesque girls....

*blush* Ooh, hawaii kid, you are awful...

Manky = icky, disgusting, old, displeasing to the eye and possibly also to the nose. In this case referring to old cheap grimy fencing jackets with several layers of other people's sweat on them...

I think dictionaries of english-american and american-english do exist, I'll have a look round....
I just try to remember not to say fag in front of americans, and
you just need to remember never to refer to a "fanny pack" in front of any english people you don't want to reduce to hysterics. I may compile my own list actually, might be fun.

Nusy · 07-17-2003, 03:17 PM

I have only had PBT equipment, but I love them!!!!!
Nusy

MyraTrue · 07-19-2003, 09:11 PM

Louweasel, I'd say if your headed to London, check out Blades. While I was in the UK, I bought from them, both over the phone and in person. They have excellent service, and a good selection of jackets. Duellist is supposed to have good prices, but we had problems with their supplies, when I was there.

I do agree- beware of trying them on, you'll want to buy them! I bought a Uhlmann world cup, because I was git enough to try it... just to "see what it was like"!

Being a female fencer, my suggestion is that whatever breast protection you use, bring it to try on the jacket. hubcaps vs. the full plate make a difference in how a jacket fits! Make sure you can move your arms, or things get tough.

The material is a personal preference- I hate stretchy jackets myself. But make sure to get one rated at last at the 350N level, because the BF (and Welsh Fencing too, when I was there) require it. 800 for nationals.

Hope it helps
Myra

Oh, and I sympathize with "fanny pack". I'm American, and it STILL makes me cringe. Also, it took some learning that they are breeches, NOT knickers.

Louweasel · 07-23-2003, 09:47 AM

Thanks Myra True! I live in London so I'll try Blades - do you know whereabouts the shop is? Or indeed the website so I can look it up?

Good point about chest protectors. Think I'll buy my own while I'm there as the "frisbees" tat belong to the club aren't that comfy and tend to shift about. Now that's another thread...

MyraTrue · 07-23-2003, 11:20 AM

Louweasle, the address for their website is: http://freespace.virgin.net/blades.sports/index.html

Their address should be, 35 Edinburgh Drive, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 1PJ

Telephone: 01784 255522

Hope it helps. And I ended up getting away from those little hubcaps, and I've loved it ever since.

Gotta run... at work.

Myra

Gav · 07-23-2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Louweasel
Thanks Myra True! I live in London so I'll try Blades - do you know whereabouts the shop is? Or indeed the website so I can look it up?

Good point about chest protectors. Think I'll buy my own while I'm there as the "frisbees" tat belong to the club aren't that comfy and tend to shift about. Now that's another thread...

Louweasel,

go here - British Fencing's suppliers list - have a look at them all. I'm familiar with the people who run Allstar, GoFence and Leon Paul. Most of the suppliers in the UK have a very good reputation.

Gav