Equipment - do your really need all that kit?
Yes you do... fencers must wear a variety of protective attire to minimise the chance of injury. The sport is actually very safe, partly due to the wearing of safety kit. If competing and using electric scoring boxes, then conductive (electric) kit will also be required. FIE approved kit is require for certain competitions.
The club provides kit to fencers at sessions and lends kit to those competing, therefore avoiding the need to purchase kit unless you wish to do so. Often fencers start with club kit and purchase their own kit if they wish to at later stage. (More detail on purchasing kit below)
Any questions you have it’s best to ask your coach.
Equipment includes:
mask*
plastron (under arm protective wear)
jacket
Trainers (court shoes)
Weapon (sabre,foil,epee)
Lame (electric jacket)
glove (weapon hand electric to compete)
chest protectors (for girls ages 10+.)
Bodywires and mask wire (electric)
Most equipment is labelled by size, but vary by manufacturers using European or imperial.
The club provides kit to fencers at sessions and lends kit to those competing, therefore avoiding the need to purchase kit unless you wish to do so. Often fencers start with club kit and purchase their own kit if they wish to at later stage. (More detail on purchasing kit below)
Any questions you have it’s best to ask your coach.
Equipment includes:
mask*
plastron (under arm protective wear)
jacket
Trainers (court shoes)
Weapon (sabre,foil,epee)
Lame (electric jacket)
glove (weapon hand electric to compete)
chest protectors (for girls ages 10+.)
Bodywires and mask wire (electric)
Most equipment is labelled by size, but vary by manufacturers using European or imperial.
*The mask
This comes in a variety of sizes and weapon types. A sabre mask is fully conductive and clearly distinguishable by an all metal looking appearance. The foil mask has a conductive neck bib and the epee is non conductive. Mask sizes are often confusing for new fencers. Below is a key to help find the mask you need, once you know your size remember the code and you’ll find it amongst all that club kit in half the time. |
Equipment - What to buy?
When you or your child start fencing, choosing kit can be confusing. The information is to help you get the most from the sport while staying safe. Do consult coaches for specific advice.
The requirements for fencing equipment are set out in the British Standard EN 13567:2007 and its updates.
There are two defined levels of equipment:
Level 1 / 350 Newton / 350N
This standard of protective clothing is suitable for use at clubs.
800N plastrons are also required for all electric fencing with size 5 weapons.
Level 2 / 800 Newton / 800N / FIE (Federation Internationale d’Escrime)
This standard of protective clothing is suitable for the Olympic Games, World Championships and all ‘A’ grade/ World Cup events. 800N plastrons are also required for all electric fencing with size 5 weapons.
Fencers wishing to purchase equipment should consider two starting options:
If you decide to buy individual items rather than a starter kit then the following is a list of items we recommend roughly in order of importance:
Glove
worn only on the weapon hand for protection, Although you can buy non electric gloves it is almost always worth buying an electric glove for sabre fencing.
Mask
A good quality mask is one of the first items that you should look at purchasing. Masks like shoes become more comfortable over time. There are different masks for each weapon so the first thing you need to do is decide if you need a Foil, Epee or Sabre mask.
Plastron
For non-electric or children’s fencing a 350N plastron is sufficient however. An FIE 800N plastron provides much better protection and required for all U15 fencers and upwards. In the UK an FIE plastron as it is mandatory for competitive electric fencing.
Jacket
covers the whole torso including a blade catcher at the neck line. Jackets must be brought as specifically left or right handed for front zip items. Back zip items can be used by all fencers and are therefore often purchased by clubs, but a front zip is more convenient.
Buying to your own front zip jacket makes life easier when getting into your jacket and allows for you to have a left handed or high handed jacket depending on your needs . Generally most fencers start with ‘whites’ from basic ranges.
Weapon
Most people are keen to buy the weapon first, but is best be placed behind items like the mask and glove in importance. For children we suggest going for a basic blade but adults may consider FIE Maraging steel blades.
Sabre Weapon sizes when selecting your weapon it is important to know what age category you fence under.
Under9 years - Size 0
U11, U13, U14 - Size 2
U15 Years and Over - Size 5
Breeches
Most people go for ones of the same style and make as their jacket, so they match in look and feel.
Shoes
Fencing Shoes as you advance in the sport specific fencing footwear will give you grip where you need it. However any smooth soled sports footwear will be fine for getting started.
Bodywires and Headwires
Consider two options in conjunction with your weapon set up:
All Sabres and wires are fairly simple to change from bayonet to two pin at a later date.
Headwires are pretty much the same from all manufacturers and interchangeable.
Lamé
The conductive over jacket that is used for electric scoring in both foil and sabre. They must be brought as either left or right handed and Not needed for non-electric fencing or epee.
Lamés are expensive items and there for often borrowed to start with bought only when competing regularly.
Fencers for some competitions maybe required to have their Country ISO and surname on their lamé which can be added when purchased.
Kit bags
Once you have all your kit is likely you will need to consider a bag to keep it all in along with water bottles, towels etc.
Equipment - Where to buy it
There are three leading manufacturers of kit in the UK, their details and websites are below.
Club member discount is available at LeonPaul to Camden fencers so don't forget to request.
www.leonpaul.com
LeonPaul, Unit 19 Garrick Industrial Centre, Irving Way, Hendon, London, NW9 6AQ
www.pbt-uk.com
PBT-UK, 272 High St, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LT
allstaruhlmann.com
Allstar UhlmannAllstar Uhlmann, 514 Ipswich Road, Slough, SL1 4EP
Other manufacturers do exist but please discuss with coaches if you consider this route some equipment they sell will be suitable for some but not all grades of competition. for example the difference between a 1600N mask or 350N masks, or requirements for 800N or 350N breaches can exclude a fencer from entry.
swordpricefighters
Orchard House, 25 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey KT5 9EY
excalibursports
based in Ross-On-Wye
When you or your child start fencing, choosing kit can be confusing. The information is to help you get the most from the sport while staying safe. Do consult coaches for specific advice.
The requirements for fencing equipment are set out in the British Standard EN 13567:2007 and its updates.
There are two defined levels of equipment:
Level 1 / 350 Newton / 350N
This standard of protective clothing is suitable for use at clubs.
800N plastrons are also required for all electric fencing with size 5 weapons.
Level 2 / 800 Newton / 800N / FIE (Federation Internationale d’Escrime)
This standard of protective clothing is suitable for the Olympic Games, World Championships and all ‘A’ grade/ World Cup events. 800N plastrons are also required for all electric fencing with size 5 weapons.
Fencers wishing to purchase equipment should consider two starting options:
- Buy individual items one at a time until you have a full set
- Buy a starter kit. Starter kits provide great value for money saving on the cost of the individual items.
If you decide to buy individual items rather than a starter kit then the following is a list of items we recommend roughly in order of importance:
Glove
worn only on the weapon hand for protection, Although you can buy non electric gloves it is almost always worth buying an electric glove for sabre fencing.
Mask
A good quality mask is one of the first items that you should look at purchasing. Masks like shoes become more comfortable over time. There are different masks for each weapon so the first thing you need to do is decide if you need a Foil, Epee or Sabre mask.
Plastron
For non-electric or children’s fencing a 350N plastron is sufficient however. An FIE 800N plastron provides much better protection and required for all U15 fencers and upwards. In the UK an FIE plastron as it is mandatory for competitive electric fencing.
Jacket
covers the whole torso including a blade catcher at the neck line. Jackets must be brought as specifically left or right handed for front zip items. Back zip items can be used by all fencers and are therefore often purchased by clubs, but a front zip is more convenient.
Buying to your own front zip jacket makes life easier when getting into your jacket and allows for you to have a left handed or high handed jacket depending on your needs . Generally most fencers start with ‘whites’ from basic ranges.
Weapon
Most people are keen to buy the weapon first, but is best be placed behind items like the mask and glove in importance. For children we suggest going for a basic blade but adults may consider FIE Maraging steel blades.
Sabre Weapon sizes when selecting your weapon it is important to know what age category you fence under.
Under9 years - Size 0
U11, U13, U14 - Size 2
U15 Years and Over - Size 5
Breeches
Most people go for ones of the same style and make as their jacket, so they match in look and feel.
Shoes
Fencing Shoes as you advance in the sport specific fencing footwear will give you grip where you need it. However any smooth soled sports footwear will be fine for getting started.
Bodywires and Headwires
Consider two options in conjunction with your weapon set up:
- bayonet ‘twist and push system’ used by many clubs across the UK
- The ‘2-pin system’ used by many on the continent and in the USA.
All Sabres and wires are fairly simple to change from bayonet to two pin at a later date.
Headwires are pretty much the same from all manufacturers and interchangeable.
Lamé
The conductive over jacket that is used for electric scoring in both foil and sabre. They must be brought as either left or right handed and Not needed for non-electric fencing or epee.
Lamés are expensive items and there for often borrowed to start with bought only when competing regularly.
Fencers for some competitions maybe required to have their Country ISO and surname on their lamé which can be added when purchased.
Kit bags
Once you have all your kit is likely you will need to consider a bag to keep it all in along with water bottles, towels etc.
Equipment - Where to buy it
There are three leading manufacturers of kit in the UK, their details and websites are below.
Club member discount is available at LeonPaul to Camden fencers so don't forget to request.
www.leonpaul.com
LeonPaul, Unit 19 Garrick Industrial Centre, Irving Way, Hendon, London, NW9 6AQ
www.pbt-uk.com
PBT-UK, 272 High St, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LT
allstaruhlmann.com
Allstar UhlmannAllstar Uhlmann, 514 Ipswich Road, Slough, SL1 4EP
Other manufacturers do exist but please discuss with coaches if you consider this route some equipment they sell will be suitable for some but not all grades of competition. for example the difference between a 1600N mask or 350N masks, or requirements for 800N or 350N breaches can exclude a fencer from entry.
swordpricefighters
Orchard House, 25 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey KT5 9EY
excalibursports
based in Ross-On-Wye
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