FAQs
Fencing equipment
What should I wear for fencing?
If you do not yet have your own fencing kit you should wear the following:
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Trainers
Long tracksuit bottoms (NOT shorts or jeans, please)
T-shirt that you don't mind getting sweaty
When should I purchase my own fencing kit?
We provide fencing equipment for adult beginners' courses. After the course, fencers are expected
to acquire their own equipment by the beginning of the next term. This is because there is a limited
amount of club equipment and it is needed for our beginners' courses which run about once per
term.
Please consult me before buying equipment for your child! I prefer parents to wait until their child
has learned the basics and decided they really like the sport. When they have reached this level,
having their own equipment will be very encouraging and help them become more responsible. If
you speak to me I will advise you if your child is at the right level.
Where do I buy fencing equipment?
I recommend sticking to a well known manufacturer wherever possible, especially for protective
equipment. Budget suppliers may seem to offer a good deal, but in the past some have had their
safety standards called into question.
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Leon Paul - a trusted British supplier who manufacture most of their range in their London
factory.
PBT - a trusted Hungarian brand with a British reseller.
Allstar/Uhlmann - a trusted German brand with a British reseller, popular worldwide.
The above retailers all have UK shops and also often set up stands at fencing competitions. It is
sometimes useful to visit and try on equipment before buying it.
Take care when buying second hand. Make sure items are in good condition and meet current safety
regulations before you part with your money. It is usually better to see the items in person before
purchasing them.
Leon Paul and PBT equipment can be ordered through the club at a discounted price. Further savings
can be made by combining orders with other fencers this way. Please e-mail me for more
information or to place an order. It is usually a good idea for novices or parents to order this way. It
means I can check your orders for common mistakes and make sure the items you order are suitable
for the intended recipient.
Web:
E-mail:
Twitter:
www.southampton-epee.co.uk
[email protected]
@SouthamptonEpee
FAQs
Fencing equipment
What does CEN mean?
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CEN – European Committee for Standardisation. Fencing masks, jackets, plastrons and
breeches must carry one of these marks to be deemed safe to use. The different levels relate
to the force (in Newtons) of penetration the garment can withstand.
CEN1/350N – the minimum level for most protective equipment approved by British Fencing
for domestic fencing in Britain.
CEN2/800N/1600N – A higher level of protection approved for use in international
competition by the FIE, 800N for clothing, 1600N for masks.
FIE – the International Fencing Federation put their own mark on CEN2 level kit to show it is
approved for international competition.
For domestic fencing in the UK 350N masks, jackets and breeches are fine.
800N plastrons are required for anyone fencing with size 4/5 blades and we STRONGLY
recommend them to everyone.
What equipment do I need for club fencing?
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Glove – a glove with a Velcro cuff will accommodate a body wire during electric fencing.
Mask – masks are different for foil, sabre and epee, so make sure you buy an epee mask
with no conductive bib and an insulated mesh to make it suitable for electric fencing.
Plastron – 800N plastrons are required for some and we recommend them to everyone.
Jacket – club jackets are back fastening to make them ambidextrous. Side fastening jackets
are better for individuals, but remember they are hand specific.
Chest protector – Required for girls and women, full chest protectors offer better protection
than individual cups that fit into pockets inside club fencing jackets. Flat plastic chest
protectors are available for men and boys, but they are optional.
To be allowed to fence on electric scoring boxes, you must also have the following items:
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Breeches – most are hand specific.
Socks – knee length white socks can be bought cheaply at many sports retailers. Fencing
retailers sell a padded version.
Body wire – unlike foil and sabre body wires, epee body wires have a three pin connection
at both ends.
Epee – see below for more details.
You will also need:
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Appropriate shoes - fencing shoes are available. Good alternatives are squash or badminton
shoes with well-cushioned heels. Normal trainers are fine, too.
Fencing bag - weapons must be carried in a fencing bag and not in the open.
Web:
E-mail:
Twitter:
www.southampton-epee.co.uk
[email protected]
@SouthamptonEpee
FAQs
Fencing equipment
Do I need anything different for competitions?
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All the usual protective equipment is required.
You will also need at least TWO weapons and TWO body wires in case of malfunction.
It is a good idea to have a test box and basic repair kit to keep your weapons in good
condition. See below for more details.
How do I choose the right weapon?
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Electric/non-electric - always buy an electric weapon to allow you to fence on electric
scoring apparatus.
Blade size - competition age groups enforce maximum blade sizes for different age groups.
Blade type - FIE epee blades (usually made from high grade maraging steel) are supposed to
perform better and tend to last longer than standard epee blades, but they are also a lot
more expensive. You will not be required to have FIE blades unless you reach international
level fencing.
Handle - club weapons are fitted with traditional French grips. Orthopaedic grips (eg. pistol
or Belgian grips) offer more support and are commonly used by competitive fencers.
Beginners should stick to French grip for about a year and at least until they are 10 years old.
Armourers can convert weapons from French to orthopaedic handles but not the other way
around.
What should I put in my repair kit?
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Test box - used to check whether a weapon is working correctly.
Test weight - tests the pressure spring in the point of the epee. 750g weights are used for
epees.
Feeler gauge - used to check the travel of the epee tip.
Spare tip screws
Spare contact springs
Spare pressure springs
Spare tip
1.4mm flat head screwdriver - magnetic screwdrivers are better for small tip screws.
Web:
E-mail:
Twitter:
www.southampton-epee.co.uk
[email protected]
@SouthamptonEpee