Best mask

[fencerbill]

The only thing I have against the Prieur masks I've seen is that they lack cheek plates, which substantially extend the lifespan of the bib in my experience. Now, perhaps that's been fixed recently, but the older models I've seen don't have them.

The amount of wear in the cheeks of Sabre masks is very dependent on how much padding is under the conductive layer. Some cheap makes have no padding, just the Lame cloth over the metal mesh. They don't last very long at all. What is different about the Prieur Sabre masks is that they have some padding but they also have a plastic layer about like the material used for report covers. They have a very good, relatively thick padding in the front band. Even though they don't have cheek plates, the cheeks are usually not worn that badly. Besides, it is a race between the rivets wearing out, and the cheek plates coming off, and the Lame cloth wearing out.

Cheek plates have been a good idea and they have helped. But the cheeks are still the place where Allstar, Uhlmann, PBT and most others deteriorate to the point they won't pass equipment control. My observation is that the Prieur Sabre masks probably outlast the others.

[Joe biebel]

I have had a Costello, a Santelli, a Prieur, An Allstar, an Uhlmann and a Leon Paul Countour fit mask. I would rate the Leon Paul the most comfortable by a large margin and offering the best protection in the bib and over the back of the head from whips and flicks (foil fencer). The lining on the inside of the bib has not held up due to abrasion from my metallic jackets, and I don't really trust the rivets. I replaced them with a much heavier all stainless steel rivet and stainless washers. Also, I put some velcro on the inside of the bib to attach an inner bib of vinyl that takes the punishment from the lame. Since this "PAUL" system relies entirely on the Velcro strap arrangement to hold it on my head, I check the Velcro regularly and replace any worn bits. This sounds like a lot of little problems but really I think "PAUL" has come the closest to a truly safe comfortable mask.

[Evan Gilchrist]

Merveille de Hmm I qui a fait cela? Merci


I agree with D+F+P=Hadouken. Preiur is better than PBT however that is prctically the only mask that come in that color and I gotta represent my team. Ya Know what I mean

[Joan of Ark]

I am part of the Peachtree Ridge High Fencing team and we all use PBT mask that are darker blue. It has worked great for me. Hopefully i'll be able to gwet some FIE stuff.

As I think I have mentioned in a previous thread, I don't like PBT's masks. I've had 2. One FIE, one Non. When the Non Failed (after about 2- 2 1/2 years of use) I got an FIE one. Well, at JOs this last Febuary, when I was warming up, I got hit on the mask and the paint chips got in my eye. I had to go to the trainer and spend about 20 minutes getting it out. Fortunatly, I finished well- very well, but it was a pain in the arse (or should I say eye??). The paint chipping has happened with both of the masks, but never actually IN my before then... I'm thinking of getting one of those LP Countour fit ones next and hopefully it'll hold up a lot better. Anyone else have problems with the velcro staying on? Do saftey pins work ok for that??
As for club support, I like to color my hair club colors.

[epeeisky]

As I think I have mentioned in a previous thread, I don't like PBT's masks. I've had 2. One FIE, one Non. When the Non Failed (after about 2- 2 1/2 years of use) I got an FIE one. Well, at JOs this last Febuary, when I was warming up, I got hit on the mask and the paint chips got in my eye. I had to go to the trainer and spend about 20 minutes getting it out. Fortunatly, I finished well- very well, but it was a pain in the arse (or should I say eye??). The paint chipping has happened with both of the masks, but never actually IN my before then... I'm thinking of getting one of those LP Countour fit ones next and hopefully it'll hold up a lot better. Anyone else have problems with the velcro staying on? Do saftey pins work ok for that??
As for club support, I like to color my hair club colors.

I have had my LP FIE Contour Fit mask for around 6 months with moderate use, and have had no problems with the velcro. The velcro is not like the stuff on pants. It is much stronger and requires a decent effort to remove it. The rivets on the mask do look dinky, but I have taken very hard hits around those rivets and nothing has happened.

[rac]

I like the Uhlmann w/the replaceable inner lining. You can rinse it down dry it overnight and it is good to go!

[Joe biebel]

I have had my LP FIE Contour Fit mask for around 6 months with moderate use, and have had no problems with the velcro. The velcro is not like the stuff on pants. It is much stronger and requires a decent effort to remove it. The rivets on the mask do look dinky, but I have taken very hard hits around those rivets and nothing has happened.

I had concern for the Velcro tearing where the rivets penetrated it on the Contour fit mask. I could see the start of tearing where the rivet flange touched the velcro. Also, the placement of the velcro did not work well for me. I took a comparable wider velcro and sewed it to pieces of nylon reinforced vinyl then drilled new holes in better places through the mask mesh and riveted the assemblies with 1/8" dia. all stainless rivets and some small stainless steel washers to give good dispertion of stress over a larger area. Also, I did not like the fact the "dinky" rivets originally had no washers on the "ball" end of the rivet. If the mask were to come off now, my head would come with it.