Best mask

[j4gg3d3dg399]

I bought a mask from triplette (now i extremely regret it) when i started fencing and six months later the mesh had a large hole in it which didn't pass the punch-test, i didn't see how or when it happened or what happened and i have taken pretty good care of it, however back to the question i want to ask out of your experience what would be a good quality mask for lasting a couple of years at the least, I will worry about the prices determining the quality but if you could help me out that would be great thanks!

[Wizardly]

I've only ever used two masks. The only thing I can say, IMHO is

Uhlmann FIE > Prieur

Though both have lasted quite a while, 3 years each (and Uhlmann is still counting)

[DangerMouse]

I recently replaced my Uhlmann FIE with a Leon Paul FIE Comfort Fit. The Leon Paul is great. Little details like using a large rounded back to the mesh instead of a rubber covering that comes off easily really make this mask. So far, the mesh seems to be stronger than the Uhlmann as well (no dents), but that should never be an issue with either mask. Also, stay away from the Santelli masks. They don't last very long and are not very comfortable.

[neevel]

I've recently purchased one of the Leon Paul contour fit FIE masks, and it is the most comfortable mask I've yet worn. My previous mask-- still used for practice-- is an Allstar FIE mask. The interior lining has gotten a bit worn, but the mesh is just fine. Before that was a Prieur, which had probably the most robust mesh of any mask I've seen.

Once you've decided that you're going to stay with the sport, it's really the smart thing to spring for a good FIE mask-- you can be sure that the mesh will hold up for a long time, and since the FIE homologation requirements specify a stainless steel mesh, rust won't be a problem. For many foil and epee fencers, the decision to replace an good FIE mask is driven mainly by the interior getting too worn and ratty to stand, rather than the mesh starting to fail. If you want to save some money, order direct from overseas.

-Dave

[CvilleFencer]

The Fencing Post currently has their Uhlmann FIE foil and epee masks on sale for 135.00 on their sales page. That is about what you would pay from a german vendor if you do the current exchange rate.

I do not own one myself, but everything I have ever heard about them says that the only real match in quality/comfort/durability is the LP premium mask.

Good luck.

[JEC]

I agree with CvilleFencer. Those are the top three FIE masks, closely followed by PBT.

[D'Artagnan1673]

Yes yes, Uhlmann has one of the better FIE masks. I have had mine for a year and a half and it is holding up just fine. One way I judge what is the favoured mask is to observe what people are wearing at tournaments. At last week's veterens tournament, possibly over 60% of all the fencers where wearing an Uhlmann FIE mask. The others were wearing Allstar FIE masks with one Prieur, one Negrini and maybe three or four Triplette masks. The two compeditors at my club were wearing Santelli masks but they were the only ones.... and no, they do not look terribly cushy.

[Inquartata]

I used to like the Soudet, but as they have no American distributor and apparently no interest in selling to Americans I haven't actually seen one in over a decade, so...

From looking at it the Leon Pauls with the changeable bibs seem pretty unbeatable for sabre: the lame is the part that always wears out, its expensive or time-consuming to replace on most masks, and without that weak point those may last forever...

[Evan Gilchrist]

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.


--)------------------- <--- I really like that symbol you created up there

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I would argue that the prieur FIE mask is the best. The mesh is strong enough, that there are many prieur masks over 10 years old that are still passing punch tests with flying colors.

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by D+F+P=Hadouken!

I would argue that the prieur FIE mask is the best. The mesh is strong enough, that there are many prieur masks over 10 years old that are still passing punch tests with flying colors.

yeah, yeah, what he said..

[Katman]

Why hello 2-year-old thread. All this time you've been hiding in Fencing Dicussion.

Uhlmann FIE.

[Durando]

Originally Posted by Katman

Why hello 2-year-old thread. All this time you've been hiding in Fencing Dicussion.

Uhlmann FIE.

Crap! Who taught Evan how to use the search function?!

'Tain, c'était moi...

[tkexi991]

I am sure the Uhlmann and LP FIEs are great, but I have had a Santelli for the last 4.5 years with no mask problems. It is pretty comfortable, and has held up well considering I treat it like crap, wash it every two years or so, and keep it in my bag which is the hand-held equivalent of a sweaty sauna.

I plan to look at the LPs, but the Santelli is still going strong.

[KD5MDK]

Shouldn't this be in the Armoury?

Anyway, in general, if it says FIE, you're fine, unless it's one of those counterfits from Le Maske or somewhere else labeled as Triplette, Cartel, etc.

[Beowulfman6]

Originally Posted by j4gg3d3dg399

I bought a mask from triplette (now i extremely regret it) when i started fencing and six months later the mesh had a large hole in it which didn't pass the punch-test, i didn't see how or when it happened or what happened and i have taken pretty good care of it, however back to the question i want to ask out of your experience what would be a good quality mask for lasting a couple of years at the least, I will worry about the prices determining the quality but if you could help me out that would be great thanks!

Look! another Person with the exact same probnlem I had with a TCA mask.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by tkexi991

I am sure the Uhlmann and LP FIEs are great, but I have had a Santelli for the last 4.5 years with no mask problems. It is pretty comfortable, and has held up well considering I treat it like crap, wash it every two years or so, and keep it in my bag which is the hand-held equivalent of a sweaty sauna.

I plan to look at the LPs, but the Santelli is still going strong.

Of course not such useful advice given that j4gg3d3dg399 can't purchase a new Santelli mask.

My foil/epee mask is an Uhlmann FIE that I've had since 1998. I own two sabre masks, an Uhlmann FIE that I've had for 4ish years but that has a couple of very small spots that need minor repairs (conductive thread has worn through and I haven't stitched it back up) and a cheapie Blade mask that I bought at a NAC once when I forgot to pack my Uhlmann. Recently I've been using the Blade mask in competitions until such a point as I get off my lazy bum to make the repair required such that my Uhlmann will pass the armory check.

Also considering replacing the sabre mask with a visor mask. I like the idea of the X-Change system in the LP, as well as the 2-layer lexan bit, but other than that vague feeling I haven't really tried to figure out which brand I'll go with. And with the prices in the $350-450 range there isn't a huge incentive to make a quick decision.

I'm happy with the Uhlmanns. Any of the top names (Uhlmann/Allstar, LP, Negrini, etc.) should be fine.

-B

[u r the spoon]

The FIE Uhlmann and Allstar are pretty much the same thing. I've had maybe 3 masks in 13 years. During serious training times, that means bouting 4-5 times per week, on an average of 2 hours each time. They definitely hold up for a long time. During that time, you can also take into account numerous counts of airport abuse (and i use a soft rollbag as opposed to the hard golf case).

Of course, I can't compare since I haven't owned any other masks but they definitely hold up well.

[fencerbill]

I have owned 2 Sabre masks. A 1990 Allstar whose fourth generation of Lame is worn out but still useable for practice and a 1999 Uhlmann with second generation Lame which I use for competitions.

I have rebuilt about 300 masks and I have seen 2 Allstar/Uhlmanns FIE Sabre masks where the mesh at top center was worn out. Both times by top ten in point standings fencers who probably fenced more than 5 times a week.

I have rebuilt about 20 Prieur FIE masks, Sabre and Foil/Epee, and I can say that I have never seen any degradation in the mesh. The mesh was still as good as new. The Sabre masks needed new Lame and the Foil/Epee masks needed bib lining repair.

[KD5MDK]

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.