What equipment is needed for practice and competition?
What is meant by FIE Homolgated?
How do I wash my mask?
How do I wash my lame?
What equipment is needed for practice and competition?
For basic practice in the club, you may use the equipment our club provides as part of your class fees. As people begin to be more serious about the sport, they generally begin to purchase their own equipment. Our kits of equipment are a great way to do this! When you go to a tournament, you are required to have the following equipment in working order when you report to strip for a bout:
•Fencing jacket
•Fencing knickers
•Underarm protector (also sometimes called a "plastron")
•Rigid protector (for women and girls)
•Long socks that completely cover your lower legs
•Fencing glove
•Electric mask
•Electric lame
•Electric overcuff (there are models of gloves that incorporate a glove and an overcuff in one)
•Two weapons
•Two body cords
•Two head cords
Note that you must have two working weapons, body cords and head cords. Experienced competitors usually take along a couple of backups in case one of theirs fails or breaks; that way they always have at least two working ones.
What is meant by FIE Homologated or FIE Certified?
Often you willl see vendors selling gear labled as "FIE-certified" or with a number following (800 N or 350 N). Such uniforms are fashioned from special fabrics such as Startex, or ballistic nylon. The number rating means that the material it is made from has a puncture resistance of that number (typcially either 800 or 350 Newtons of pressure). FIE Homologated or FIE Certified means that the material AND construction of the equipment has been submitted to the FIE SEMI Committee (high level armourers and equipment certification folks) and passed a series of strict tests. Blades that are FIE Certified must be made of a special kind of steel, and pass longevity tests for breakage and safety.
For international 'A' grade level competitions, FIE Certified mask, jacket, knickers, and plastron are required. Foil and Epee blades must be made of maraging steel and FIE certified. As of this time, all sabre blades that are labled "S2000" (all sabre blades that are sold nowadays) are legal for FIE Competition. Starting this year, at World Cup events only, all competitors will be required to wear special visored masks that incorporate a clear panel into the mesh.
At United States domestic competitions, including national events, FIE gear is NOT required. Masks, however, are subjected to a punch test at the beginning of each tournament to ensure they are capable of withstanding 1600 N of pressure along the mesh.
How do I wash my mask?
•Take 1 capful of Woolite and 1 capful (equal parts) of Windex and add to 1/3 sink full of lukewarm water.
•Place mask in sink and allow to soak for 5 minutes, longer if it's REALLY dirty. Make sure mask is face up with the bib in the water.
•Stretch & massage bib. Rub water into inset of mask (padding), remove, then rinse, rinse, rinse, fully in cold water, until no suds are seen. Water can touch the mesh. Allow excess water to roll off.
•Place mask on large cloth towel and wring bib into towel. Push towel into mask to dry interior padding and pat dry until only damp to touch. Dry mesh with towel. Allow mask to fully dry. You can use a hair dryer for speedier drying.
How do I wash my lamé?
•Take 1 capful of Woolite and 1 capful (equal parts) of Windex and add to 1/3 sink full of lukewarm water.
•Place lamé in sink and allow to soak for 5 minutes, longer if it's REALLY dirty.
•Gently massage lamé in solution of water, remove, then rinse, rinse, rinse, fully in cold water, until no suds are seen. Allow excess water to roll off and place lamé on cloth towel.
•Roll lamé into towel and press gently to remove more water. Then hang to dry.
•Do not dry in direct sunlight or outside, and do not use a hair dryer.
•A stainless steel lamé can be washed as often as you like, but a copper lamé can only be washed one time a week, max.