blue gauntlet french foil points

[Pho]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anybody has tried the blue gauntlet french foil points. These are the ones with all metal construction instead of the regular plastic insulation. Any comments on how they hold up compared to german points?

Eric

[The0ne]

I just bought one recently, and its held up fine through me going to a fencing camp with 4+ hours of fencing a day. . . But i haven't had it long so i dont know about long term wise.

[neevel]

They're made by Sport 7. American Fencers Supply uses them too.
They're not as smooth as Uhlmann/Allstar points. The tips are more durable than Prieur tips, especially with regards to the flange coming unpeened. The barrels seem to be more brittle than either Prieur or Uhlmann/Allstar barrels-- I've seen barrels that had developed hairline cracks due to being tightened down too hard break in two during fencing. The parts for Sport 7 points are almost-but-not-quite compatible with Prieur points, so you need to keep that in mind when buying spares.

-Dave

[MikeHarm]

I had a weird experience with them recently. I had my foil assembled, and it was working with a regular french tip with the insulated plastic stuff that breaks. I had some new BG french ones, figured they were interchangeable and the BG ones would work better over the long run, so I decided to slip one of those in. Pressed down.. nothin. Took it out, everything in the barrel looked good to me. I put it back in put the screws on, reassambled still nothing.

I put the regular french tip back in, pressed the tip..worked.

Is that the 'almost but not quite' compatible issue coming back to haunt me?

[Swordmaster]

I can't tell whether it is a Sport 7 or a Gallaxy. I have used both, and I find them both to be superior to the Prieur, as far as duribility and interchangablilty (with in the same brand) Several vendors are carrying the better French Points including American Fencers Supply and Sword Masters . I have noticed the Uhlmann barrels seem to be getting softer these days. Maybe that is why they have come out with the "V2" (version two) barrel and are charging twice as much for it.
Best of Luck!
Scott

[Greg Z.]

I have not used the Sport-7 tips yet. Their claim to fame is the metal jacket like the German design and the recessed screws like the French design for better durability.
I have liked the French tips so far, cheaper. Triplette is selling the Sports-7 for the same price as the French tips, Sooooo I thought OK.
I'll let you know. They are supposed to be compatible to the French parts????
I think it is too good to be true.
Greg Z.

[neevel]

Originally posted by Greg Z.
They are supposed to be compatible to the French parts????
I think it is too good to be true.
Greg Z.

As I said, they're almost-but-not-quite compatible. The barrels have a slightly thinner wall than Prieur barrels, so the screws for Sport 7 points are a bit shorter than Prieur screws. Also, the springs for the Sport 7 points are just a tad longer than Prieur springs. If you use a Prieur spring in a Sport 7 point, you may find it going light very quickly, and possibly being light the first time you test it.

As long as you're careful not to overtighen and crack the barrels, they'll eliminate the main bugaboo of the Prieur points, which is the flange of the tip starting to come unpeened after just a little use.

-Dave

[Greg Z.]

Dave-
I just replaced a tip for a fellow fencer and found that it did not pass weights. Thought it was an old spring, but still just a little light. Thanks for the info, I thought I was going crazy.
I had no problems with the french screws. The tips seem a little light, what I mean is light weight, flimsy. Let's see if it really is better.
I'll try one in one of my blades and get back with you.

PS I was the guy you met at last years Remnicke(sp?) who was using the larger gauge yellow wire for foils. They are still going strong with the plastic toy cap inserts. Remember?
Hope to see you again up in Chicago.