Masks and legality

[MyraTrue]

Does anyone know if you can be disqualified for a mask with rusty mesh, even if it passes a punch test? Likewise, the older masks without a backstrap and a short bib, can you even FENCE with those any more?

I know that in many cases, it comes down to, would you really WANT to fence in something like that, but I was curious if anyone knew. The only standards I've seen applied to masks when tournamenting are for punch tests, and that the mask must be in good repair.


Myra

[sallearmourer]

Personal I would fail the mask for the short bibi and no backstrap for saftey reason and confiscate until the end of the day


Tim Loomis

[Stryder]

The phrase "In good repair" gives the referee a lot of leeway in deciding what is safe. A mask with rusty steel mesh is weak and may break, the bib length is specifically listed in the rulebook and the back strap keeps it from coming off at a time when you wish you were wearing a mask.

Look at your mask, does it look safe to you? Worst case scenario?

Of all the pieces of equipment to go cheap on, your mask is the last. Buy a new mask, the best one you can afford and you will be free to fence without worrying about your safety. I found when I wore my first set of FIE gear I was free to attack with a lot more courage because I knew that I would not get hurt by my opponant's wild flailing blade. I saw an immediate increase in the number of touches I scored in competition.
Plus, I didn't die.

Two perfectly good reasons to get a quality mask.

My two cents.
(You'll be getting a bill)

[picojeff]

Foil and epee masks must have the mesh insulated, and sabre masks must be conductive.

Rust means the insulation is gone, if you're talking about foil or epee, which is legitimate grounds for disallowing its use. (Thankfully even the best armorers in the world are lenient in this area, since a whole lot of the insulation on the mesh of my mask is worn away.)

For a sabre mask there may be a high resistance on a rusty spot, though you would have to test it to be sure.

Rust itself isn't a reason to disallow a mask, and doesn't even necessarily indicate the metal wires that make up the mesh are weaker than they ought to be. Rust does indicate that the mask has been poorly maintained and this should motivate you to look for other more serious shortcomings.

[MyraTrue]

Thank you, all three. I asked because I have someone who gave me a set of 20-some-year-old sabre masks. And while they both are practically brand new and pass the punch test, there are a number of considerations when it comes to what to do with them. I wasn't sure if they'd even be considered legal for foil/epee, and I'm none too keen about using them. I'm just not sure what to do with either mask. I think it may be a lost cause with both, because I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

I actually use a club mask, because the short bib (especially in epee) scares me. I mislike my throat feeling that bare! I'm in the process of coming up with the money for a good mask. Odd that its the last piece of kit I don't own.

-Myra

[Swordmaster]

Myra,
I'll tell you what to do with them, get Rudy Volkmann's Big Book of Fencing and turn to the back section where is gives you instructions to build a Fencing Dummy...you can build two!
Double Happiness!
Scott