Engraved Bell Guards

[Hyperion1250]

I know some people have talked about having a design on their masks, and i'll agree that having a way of expressing individuality is important (but that's a diff. discussion). As an alternitive to the masks, has anyone ever thought of having something engraved on the bell guard of their weapon? and is it legal?

[JEC]

The old Leon Paul epee guards were engraved. I still have one.

[Artisan]

I have used letter stamps to put my name on the inside of the guard. A bit more permanent than sharpie marker. The outside of the guard takes quite a beating - engraving there would be wasted effort.

[C.J.]

Yeah, it is not really meaningful.

[npkeith]

My coach tells a story of a freind of his who went to "Things Remembered" at the mall. (Its a franchised place that sells things that can be personalized/engraved, then does the engraving) He had his name engraved on the outside of his brand new (I believe it was sabre) guard. When he brought it to practice, he was showing it off to everyone. Maestro walked up, said something to the effect of "Ooh! how pretty! every one look!" and then proceeded to beat the crap out of it with his own sabre until it was all but illegible. On handing it back he commented:

"Now you won't be afraid to use it."

I think the same holds true for any design on the outside of a bell - Its going to get beaten to death, so why waste the money?

[remise]

In my club we engrave the INSIDE of the bells with the fencers name as a matter of course. Also the tang is engraved. None of these things can be seen until the weapon is taken apart either by the armourer or the fencer. It simply avoids confusion and mixing one's parts up with the club's or another fencer's.

[Swordmaster]

Here's an engraved bell story for ya'...JO's 2001- Jack decides to polish the outside of his epee bell with a dremel and a wire wheel. After spending much time and effort in coming up with a design (it looked like a smiley with X's for eyes), he was showing it of to some of the folks around the venue. Andy Shaw saw what he had done and decided it was not legal since it might be a destraction to the other fencer. Jack took the bell to several other referees in the venue, but none of them had the same reaction as Mister Shaw. - Just goes to show you, the rules are still open to interpretation (especially by some - A.H.).

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I recently etched in a design for my bellguard, only to have it wiped off by the enemy.

[mifencer]

Originally posted by remise
In my club we engrave the INSIDE of the bells with the fencers name as a matter of course. Also the tang is engraved. None of these things can be seen until the weapon is taken apart either by the armourer or the fencer. It simply avoids confusion and mixing one's parts up with the club's or another fencer's.

Do you use a Dremel tool or is there some other way of etching your name?

Thanks

[Kodiak Kid]

You could probably pick up an inexpensive ( < $10) metal ingraver from Wal-Greens. Runs on 120V AC and will engrave bells, blades, weights, shims etc.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

They sell crap like that at wall-greens? R u sur that you dont mean lowes or home depot or ace?

[Kodiak Kid]

Well, yeah they probably all do. Never been in a Lowe's so not too sure. I know the Wal-Greens right around the corner from the Olympic Training Center has 'em. I saw one in there and I think it was like $8.79 or something like that. Keep in mind though that there's very few parts on a weapon that can't be quickly interchanged so if you are trying to insure against theft, I would think you would have limited success. If it's an innocent case of mistaken identity, it works pretty well.

Happy scribing!

[Inquartata]

Originally posted by mifencer
Do you use a Dremel tool or is there some other way of etching your name?

Thanks

Technically speaking, etching is done with acids. Engraving is done with tools such as burins, or an electric pencil, or the like. You could probably do it with a sharp knife or chisel if you have a strong, steady hand, and don't envision too complex a design.

[DHCJr]

I think he meant engraving their name. You can do a design with an engraver. In fact all the Orange Coast equipment is engraved with a stylized design useing an engraver.

[NJP3]

I bielive tripplette sells a guard with a design on it but i cant give you a link cuz thier site is antiquated