Fencing Equipment – What Pieces Do You Really Need?

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

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Along with a healthy attitude and adequate staying power, a fencer also requires a few other things when fencing. If you are outfitting yourself for competition it’s a bit more complicated. If you’re starting out you need a fencing jacket, mask, glove and fencing equipment. The fencing swords you use to practice with includes a foil, saber or epee.

Many organizations will let you borrow their fencing equipment when you’re a novice and taking a starter course. Once you’re finished with the course and have become hooked, you’ll be urged to purchase gear of your own. These are the two choices for a beginner.

The initial way to go is to acquire separate items one by one until you have a full set. Another way achieve this is to purchase a starter kit. These kits come with all the fundamental necessities already put together and sold as a package. You have your inventory of the necessary equipment, so what’s next? Before you purchase anything or begin to use your new tools, it’s wise to have the basic knowledge of their function and how they work.

It is very crucial that you make sure that the fencing jacket that you choose is made of high quality materials to ensure that you are given the adequate protection that is of utmost importance. You will find that the United States does not have a particular standard minimum constraint, but Europe does have a required standard. Olympic fencing carries a higher requirement, as does any international tournament.

When you are just beginning the basic equipment will more than suffice. The main choices you will be making in this regard are whether to go with cotton or synthetic materials. Cotton is heavier and hotter in use, but is also cheaper. The synthetic materials are of a lighter weight, but they are more expensive.

The mask is also important for protection, and you must have one that has a good fit, good interior padding, and doesn’t press on the top of the head or on the chin. While there are non-electric gloves available for purchase, it is better to select a glove with cuff which can be used in electric fencing.

The cuff allows you to easily attach the body cord that’s under your sleeve to an electric weapon. Cuffs come in small, medium and large or are sized in standard glove sizes. Getting gloves that are separately sized will normally fit better but they will be more expensive. The foil is used for thrusting. It has a very slender blade with a rounded or foiled tip. Foil blades bend when they come in contact with a foe so that injuries are avoided.