The wisdom of Uhlmann parts

[edew]

I've used mainly Uhlmann points for my foil for many years. I have tried Mion, F-L, Prieur, and recently, Sport-7 and Schermasport.

I've come to the conclusion that the Uhlmann point, even with its current terrible quality control, is the best deal out there.

Why? Let's look at the screws. Sticks out you say. Yup. Gets mashed real bad you say. Yup.

But when it's stuck out and mashed, it's still possible to remove the screw using a pair of pliers, or maybe file in a new groove to fit the screwdriver blade onto it. The countersunk screws, like my sport-7 are also banged up. But there's no way to file a new groove or use pliers. The whole tip with a fairly good barrel and tip is now completely worthless.

The flange where the screw holds the tip down seems like a weird method. But no, it's a better method than the Prieur hole on the flange. Why? Because those holes for the screws grow bigger over time and soon, the screws won't hold the tip down. Fweee! out goes the tip flying to some place. The Uhlmann method holds the tip down and no amount of banging will increase the hole size (sorry for the double-meaning).

Barrel cracks? Well, that is one of the major drawbacks of the Uhlmann system. But so do other manufacturers. At least you can retreive your tip and spring. Also, the relative softness of the metal allows one to put a reamer or mandrel into the barrel and pop out any inward dents. I had a terribly banged up barrel that I can't get the tip to come out fixed up with a file and the mandrel. Now the tip slides with very little "click".

The wire is pleasantly strong, has an extra lacquer coating to prevent shorting, and the cloth insulation wicks up the glue for fairly consistent hold. That makes the wire better than getting wrapping wire from Radio Shack and making your own wire.

So maybe we shouldn't be so pi55ed at Uhlmann for making screws that stick out or weak barrel sides.

[mifencer]

Have you tried the V2A barrels? I guess they're harder than the normal barrels. I like them and they're worth the extra buck or two.

Maybe you should try the Allstar points.... it was a joke because Uhlman and Allstar are the same company. No wait, they're not. No wait, yes they are because the parts are interchangable. But they have different head quarter addresses...

[MyraTrue]

What can I say? It's Uhlmann...

I mean, besides the fact that you are using a "highly sensitive piece of electrical equipment to beat somenoe about the head with", Uhlmann makes the best. I've learned the hard way, and I'm happy with them, and will continue to use them.

[DangerMouse]

After having some recent problems with the Uhlmann tips falling apart on me, I switched to the PBT ones. They use the same design, but seem to hold up a bit better.

[skit]

Uhlmann, definitely.