Foil/Epee Mask Newbie

[chief5286]

I'm new to the sport, after taking a dozen lessons a while back and a few recently. Now I have a dry weapon, mask and glove.
My mask is a Santelli that is not coated/insulated (at least i think not, the mesh looks metal)

I want to start fencing electric in a little while. I fence foil now but might want to give epee a try at some point. Here are my questions:

Would this mask be ok for electric foil? My understanding is that since my bib is fabric, the uninsulated mesh should not have any way to come in contact with the lame and therefore won't register as a valid touch when hit because there is no current in the mask. Is this correct? (If not, please correct me)

What about epee? Again, here's my understanding of how electric epee works. Since there's a different type of wire going to the point (I think), the weapon's charge is self contained. When the point is depressed a circuit is opened and a touch registers. Am I on the right track so far? If so, would it be affected by touching the metal mesh on my mask? (Again, please correct me if my understanding is off) Is this why foil and epee masks are coated?

One other question: What is the minimum gear I will need to fence competitively at the local level? (yea, I know, I'm not there yet, I just want an idea of what to expect) For instance, would I really need knickers or would windpants do? You need two weapons and body cords? (I'm a law student on a pretty tight budget. Come to think of it, this may not be the best sport to get into, but it is a lot of fun)



Any feedback will be appreciated

[downunder]

the rules say foil masks have to be insulated.. i can't be bothered looking up the specific location - if you really want to know look at material rules, rules pertaining to foil. Your bib gets very sweaty after hours of competition and has a nasty habit of conducting (i've seen it happen). If the mask is not insulated then there is the risk that hits to the mask can be valid, via the sweaty bib.

epee's have two wires running up the blade. The circuit is open normally, and when the tip is depressed, the circuit is closed via the grubscrews. Epee masks do not have to be insulated.


2 weapons and two wires minimum. I'd suggest 3 wires cos they always always always seem to break at competitions. What you need to be wearing as pants varies from country to country. In australia for novice competitions just trackpants are ok, but any other competitions breeches must be worn. Any national level competitions require 800N FIE equipment.

I'm sure its different for wherever you come from, but that is a rough guideline.

Also!! underplastron! Thats an essential at a competition!

[DangerMouse]

A few small corrections. The rules do say that foil masks must be insulated, but for practice, you can get away without it.

The epee tip closes the circuit between the two wires by shorting them with a small spring that is attached to the moving tip. The grub screws only hold the tip in place. On a foil, the grub screws are part of the circuit.

The USFA does not require 800N clothing at any level. It is only required for international competitions. Not really a correction because it may be different in Oz.

If your weapons and body cords are well maintained, you should only need two of each at a competition, although I always have three weapons as it is tough to borrow a weapon, but you can usually find a friend with an extra body cord. Body cords are also easier to fix during the tourney.

Good Luck

[canthidefromme]

Originally posted by chief5286
One other question: What is the minimum gear I will need to fence competitively at the local level? (yea, I know, I'm not there yet, I just want an idea of what to expect) For instance, would I really need knickers or would windpants do? You need two weapons and body cords? (I'm a law student on a pretty tight budget. Come to think of it, this may not be the best sport to get into, but it is a lot of fun)

Minimum:
lame
2 weapons
2 bodycords
plastron
knickers (windpants won't do usually, but someone might cut you a break if its your first tournament)
knee high socks
and obviously mask, jacket, and shoes

[whtouche]

Originally posted by canthidefromme
Minimum:
lame
2 weapons
2 bodycords
plastron
knickers (windpants won't do usually, but someone might cut you a break if its your first tournament)
knee high socks
and obviously mask, jacket, and shoes

And glove.

[canthidefromme]

How did i forget glove...