Why the increase in FIE?

[lfortier]

Hello,
I've been fencing for almost a year now, and at every tournament that I go to it seems like the number of people in full FIE gear are constantly increasing wheras in the begining it was rare- Why the sudden demand, and should I go and buy FIE (or have it be my entire Christmas/bday)?

[R. Exnicios]

Safety.

[Feanor]

I second that "Safety" call...

Broken weapons can get thru FIE gear so that's no guarantee, but if you're at risk with the best protection allowed, think how much more at risk you are without it

[OCTAVIA]

I think it's for the directors. If everyone wears FIE, there's no discrimination. When only a few people wore stupid FIE pants, then the directors mistakenly believed they were the better fencers and sometimes favored them. So, if you can buy FIE and then no one will think you're 'just a beginner'. It's because the sport it mental.

[edew]

No referee is going to be swayed by fencers wearing FIE clothing. Certainly not anymore, considering the number of such fencers wearing it.

My guess is the same as the first two respondents: safety. For an extra $75 or maybe less, why not have the tops in safety.

[OCTAVIA]

Well, I'll give you a point on that, but the less experienced Directors feel some sway towards FIE, as being more realistic or something. I think that's why we all bought it, we were sick and tired of giving up points to FIE wearers!!! [exclamation point - but it was the less experienced directors, not the official directors who go to directing school]

[qatet]

I met a woman with a nasty, smear-like scar across her chest. The next day I went and ordered FIE stuff.

Ahh.. right. "directing school"

[OCTAVIA]

How horrible, a smear like scar across her chest. Gross, she must have been a saborist? You know what I meant! You smear like fencer you! I meant directors who know what they're doing because they have taken the time to learn how to direct and they have credentials, whereas, the regular fencer like myself, who sometimes gets 'picked' to direct because we know some stuff doesn't always do the best job, and some do worse!!! It's like my old supervisor who, though she's a married woman, had an affair with a married man, and both of them got promoted, what a world.
[fie is also safer]

[Mo]

Originally posted by OCTAVIA
I think it's for the directors. If everyone wears FIE, there's no discrimination. When only a few people wore stupid FIE pants, then the directors mistakenly believed they were the better fencers and sometimes favored them. So, if you can buy FIE and then no one will think you're 'just a beginner'. It's because the sport it mental.

Or could it be that as fencers improve like they have over the past years, that FIE gear is required to fence in FIE events like World Cups??
They spend their money on the FIE gear because it is not in the budget to get both??

Fencers of all ages except those under 13 by January 1, 2003 are fencing in FIE events.

[Popper]

Originally posted by Feanor
I second that "Safety" call...

Broken weapons can get thru FIE gear so that's no guarantee, but if you're at risk with the best protection allowed, think how much more at risk you are without it

No, it's no guarantee, but if you also use FIE blades the risk is almost zero.. Quite expensive those blades though..

[MikeHarm]

It psyches out your opponent sometimes if they see you're equipped with a more professional FIE outfit, that's why I went with it.

[X-cess]

Would you rather be overestimated or underesitmated in a bout?

[Fechter1]

It psyches out your opponent sometimes if they see you're equipped with a more professional FIE outfit, that's why I went with it.

That only works up to a point, though. Just like having your name and USA on the back of your jacket.

On that note, I have harvested a few freebie points just from having that big fat GER on my back...

Would you rather be overestimated or underesitmated in a bout?

It's always nice to be overestimated. Makes people take you seriously. Gives you a challenge to rise to. Makes the really simple stuff work better

I'm ok with being underestimated as well. I can be a real sneaky bastard. But it doesn't happen often anymore. I wonder why...

[D'Artag-NOT]

Well, I must be some kind of cluck. Having begun fencing in my late 40's, I figured I was never going to be in international competition so I've never gone to the expense of FIE gear. A lot of the college kids in my club have it, but of course most of them don't pay for it themselves. I just get the best competition-legal uniform and equipment I can afford. If I'd waited to be able to buy FIE gear, I'd never have gotten into fencing.

[onesandzeros]

I am pretty much a fencing novice (F-E03 E-E03) and the 2 reasons I purchased an FIE jacket and knickers was A) Safety B) The chance that someday, maybe, I will fence in a tournament that requires FIE approved equipment. But I haven't run out and bought FIE foils and epees because I spent all my money on the clothing!!

I think it's silly for someone to think people wearing FIE approved are better than those wearing non FIE approved.

Any director that is swayed by the clothing someone wears shouldn't be directing in the first place. (If you feel you are dealing with a lot of bias and bad calls from a director, request a new one!!)

[The0ne]

I didn't get FIE stuff because that $75-100 I save can be spent on blades. Blades are the only thing I invest in.

[Artisan]

Originally posted by The0ne
I didn't get FIE stuff because that $75-100 I save can be spent on blades. Blades are the only thing I invest in.

I'm with One...Given a fixed fencing Dollar to spend I'd spend it on blades. I like FIE blades, they last a little longer and are usually more consistant. I also like to throw my stuff in the wash AND Dry it in the drier regularly and have two sets of jackets and britches for less than the price of one FIE suit, so I can wear stuff that doesn't smell like a litterbox. If my $50 jacket wears out from being laundered 70 times in a year, so what - I got 150 wearings out of it. couldn't say the same about a $275 jacket. If safety is a concern for you, buy a FIE plastron to protect you vitals, and wear a cup if you are male.

[OCTAVIA]

I couldn't help but notice, you're a dog! Woff. My neighbor's dog and I have become good friends, which is surprising, as I am normally nervous around dogs. This pooch is a rottweiller and we've entered into an agreement: he won't bite if I don't disturb him, he did eat 4 cats according to another lady who lives in the area.

There's nothing more to add from me, except, FIE masks are good, fie jacket and pants make no sence, FIE blades make sence, FIE gloves? Socks!! They have to make an FIE sock for epee, that come to sufficient standards; then the FIE underarm protector, FIE lip-gloss; FIE hairspray.....

[Hyperion1250]

Originally posted by Artisan
I'm with One...Given a fixed fencing Dollar to spend I'd spend it on blades. I like FIE blades, they last a little longer and are usually more consistant. I also like to throw my stuff in the wash AND Dry it in the drier regularly and have two sets of jackets and britches for less than the price of one FIE suit, so I can wear stuff that doesn't smell like a litterbox. If my $50 jacket wears out from being laundered 70 times in a year, so what - I got 150 wearings out of it. couldn't say the same about a $275 jacket. If safety is a concern for you, buy a FIE plastron to protect you vitals, and wear a cup if you are male.

I'm with you on that, i prefer to spend the money on blades. Safety is a great thing, but what's the point in it if you have a cheap blade that bends too much, doesn't fit your style, etc... I just got done watching 2 really good fencers on my team get BADLY beaten because the blades they were working with were crap. The blade should match your style, as close as you can. Better blades do that better, period. Get the blade you want, use it well (and intelligently), and the only person who should be worrying about needing FIE gear should be your opponents.

[Army Fencer]

I don't know... I got my FIE equipment because it makes me look quite debonaire.