Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

pkt · 10-24-2003, 08:46 PM

Do you think there's a need for the following:
1. Two-armed, PADDED plastron with 800N?
2. Have you received too many chops to the shoulder, or head cuts that landed on your shoulder that you think you can use more protection on your shoulder too, not just a chest protector? Something similar to the [ice] hockey pad with laced-up closure in the front and back.

It seems that Leon Paul are the only manufacturer that makes a 2-armed, non-padded 800N plastron. I'm trying to convince them to make them padded like their 350N plastron.

Of course, if one wears an ice-hockey type shoulder pad then the padded plastron would be superfluous.

Your feedback is much appreciated.

PK

Peach · 10-24-2003, 08:57 PM

I would buy one. That's where I have my stripes--upper arms--and my huge honking ugly bruises--top of shoulder. I've thought of cutting up a discarded wet suit, as someone suggested here once (I think).

The satisfaction of having gotten the touch does not always outweigh the nasty pain of repeated blows.

40Saberthieves · 10-24-2003, 09:33 PM

No, i just use a 1 armed plastron.

Inquartata · 10-24-2003, 10:57 PM

I haven't noticed this to be much of a problem. Maybe you've just got some heavy-handed fencers in your area?

My welts and bruises tend to be on my hands, especially knuckles, and occasionally my legs.

OTOH those padded double plastrons are nice for SCA fencing. Or "fencing".

40Saberthieves · 10-24-2003, 11:00 PM

I dont need any plastron, because I never get hit

KShan5[PrFC] · 10-24-2003, 11:10 PM

Getting hit in the collarbone does ring with just a bit more pain than most places, but I still wouldn't by one due to the fact tah I don't get hit there often enough. I agree with inq, most of my bruises are on my legs or fencing hand.

40Saberthieves · 10-24-2003, 11:12 PM

Psssht- Just parry them

KShan5[PrFC] · 10-24-2003, 11:23 PM

If I may ask: Why waste your time parrying to the leg???? that is just a waste of an action and a free touch.

Peach · 10-25-2003, 12:07 AM

I had a blade broken off on my shoulder last month at Fencers Club by a young lady who had been fencing less than a year. That left a nice crisp blue mark. I beat her quite nicely, but in addition to the shoulder I had lovely red marks down my back arm after that bout.

I prefer getting the touch, and most of the time when people whack like that they're late.

Or else a foot taller than me.

KShan5[PrFC] · 10-25-2003, 12:22 AM

Ya know I did that yesterday.

I have a fencing team in my high school, and I am a junior. And you always get freshman coming in sayin that they can destroy you etc. in "fighting". But there was this one particularly annoying kid who wouldn't leave me alone, so my coach allowed me to "fence" him. He has been fencing for about 3 classses. So, before the bout he said he was going to wreck me. (for a frame of reference, this kid is about 5' nothin 110 and I am about 6' 160) SO after he started sayin he was going to own me while saluting (which he didn't know how to do btw) I smiled pulled down the mask and ran of 15 touches were I would crush his collar bone with the forte of the blade. (one touch I actually hopped on 1 foot forward feinted and hit him) He had a nice welt afterwards and it felt good.

Inquartata · 10-25-2003, 12:48 AM

And the sad part is that he probably went away telling himself that you cheated, or that he was just having a bad day, or...

pkt · 10-25-2003, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RogueNine
I dont need any plastron, because I never get hit

Oh yes, you will have to use a plastron eventually for rated tourneys.

It's always good to wear a plastron, it's like a prophylactic.

One day you'll ask yourself, "Why didn't I?"

PK

pkt · 10-25-2003, 05:23 AM

I think this is more of a problem for the ladies than the guys.

I suggest the ice hockey shoulder pad - which by the way is a misnomer since it is more like a chest protector with shoulders and back. It has laces in the front and back in the middle as well as padding under the plastic shell.

So the ice hockey shoulder pad is perfect for sabre since there are so many fewer points to the sternum [breat bone] than cuts to the various parts of the upper torso.

For a viw of what it looks like:
http://cyclonetaylor.com/shoulderpads.html#itechsp655sr

For fencing purpose, and in order to reduce the size of the whole thing, I'd suggest that you use the shoulder pad without the shoulder floaters and the arms.

another suggestion:
If you like the Leon Paul masks' "Contour fit" system, take a look at the goalies' mask section:
http://cyclonetaylor.com/goalie/mask...960_961sr.html
too bad, they don't show the back of the masks... I'm pretty sure the LP C-fit system is the same as that used in the goalie hockey masks.

---)----------

Peach,

Which would you buy?
The 2-armed plastron or
the ice hockey shoulder pad?

PK

40Saberthieves · 10-25-2003, 08:45 AM

I was joking.

I wear a 1 armed plastron

Peach · 10-25-2003, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pkt
Peach,

Which would you buy?
The 2-armed plastron or
the ice hockey shoulder pad?

PK

I'd definitely prefer a (slightly) padded 2-armed plastron. There's no way I'd wear that ice hockey shoulder pad assemblage or even part of it just to ward off the occasional welt or bruise. Most of the people I fence don't ever hurt me.

fllc · 10-25-2003, 10:57 AM

When you fence beginners, especially in mixed tournaments, they tend to hit hard and not even realize it.

2Sirius · 10-25-2003, 11:28 AM

pkt

Are you saying you could use the hockey pad instead of the plastron, or in addition to it? If it replaces the plastron, would that be legal at tournaments? I'm pretty new, but I thought the plastron was to prevent puncture-type injuries, whereas the hockey pad seems designed more for blunt force protection.

I realize that you were advocating the hockey pad for preventing injuries from sabre "whacks" (for which it looks well designed), but would I have to have a plastron in addition to the pads for protection from punctures (however rare that might be in sabre fencing)?

Call me a woosie, but I would be hesitant to put on yet another layer of equipment. It's hot enough under that stuff already.

Peach · 10-25-2003, 12:57 PM

Try the Infinity lame. You'll feel as light and breezy as an epeeist

. Of course, it doesn't absorb blows as well as a stainless lame, I'll give you that.

ccm · 10-25-2003, 01:38 PM

[quote]Originally posted by pkt
<snip>
It seems that Leon Paul are the only manufacturer that makes a 2-armed, non-padded 800N plastron.
<snip>

Actually Allstar has those also. It is currently the only type of plastron I wear for fencing, because I hate the one-armed types.

Mo · 10-25-2003, 03:39 PM

I was the one that posted about a little neophrene in strategic places sewn into the lining of the fencing jacket. Neophrene is a closed cell foam that seems to absorb impact. Bruising can still happen but you cannot see the exact details of the blade.

I didn't make shoulder pads for the jacket just a strip on the outside of the target arm covering the elbow.

An Ulman FIE Jacket seems to be just fine without the padding.
The Infinity Lames work so well for making a fencer less hot! Sometimes the venues are cooking. I don't see how people can fence in them.