Fencing masks

[admin]

Could you link to various makes/models of fencing mask and give them a one or two sentence review below please.

[admin]

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_H ... nt_50.html

I used one of these Specialist Coaching masks Ref: A280C-
(the least expensive of the three on that page) and it serves me very well. They are more padded inside than standard masks and some of the padding is removable to wash. The mesh is much harder to dent than most other masks. Highly recommended if you can afford them.

[The Salmon Lord]

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_Home_Coaching_Equipment_50.html

I used one of these Specialist Coaching masks Ref: A280C-
(the least expensive of the three on that page) and it serves me very well. They are more padded inside than standard masks and some of the padding is removable to wash. The mesh is much harder to dent than most other masks. Highly recommended if you can afford them.

Agreed. The Leon Paul system for adjusting the mask to fit is also superior in my view to other manufacturers as it allows for more adjustment.

I also suggest a sabre cover. It helps protect the mask top from the low level damage masks get over time.

[Fab]

I use this one :

http://www.sport7.fr/upload/produits/103-photo.jpg

Sport7 1600N FIE fencing mask (note that this product is end-of-series - and so currently offered with a 30 euros discount).

The people at Sport7 are mates, as we attended together several HEMA events (notably Olivier Dupuis' thingies in Alsace), and they are part of Olivier Delannoy's bunch. Which means they know what HEMA is about.



Overall I'm quite satisfied (with a few negative points, see below).

The mesh seems to be very resilient, having only a few dents after almost 2 years of good service (ie being hit repeatedly by people bigger than me and being carried around at the bottom of my swords bag through various European countries). The bib looks as clean as new too, and is thick enough, and the fabric doesn't show any sign of wear.

The padding is quite well-placed and thick enough (and after having tried several other masks from other French makers, I must say I'm really happy with it) and doesnt hamper vision or feels uncomfy like with other makers/models (though this is quite subjective). It's coated with a blue coating that, although obviously also quite sweat-generating, dries very fast - or makes the occasional persipration easily wiped off (especially when using our gorgeous De Taille et d'Estoc towels).

The strap is wide and not too soft, yet still elastic enough to allow putting the mask on or taking it off without having to unfasten it ; the velcro still holds good (though as said, I don't unfaste int that often).



Bad sides, now :

- The bib has a tendency to lift up, wich is annoying. It's probably well suited for people leaning forward, and I also reckon the protective gear we use might push it up somehow. But when tucked behind the armour collar, it's OK.
Note that due to this tendency, it still leaves enough room to wear a gorget behind the mask ; also, due to the relative stiffness of the bib, it doesn't crease or fold when tucked in the collar. So overall, this bad side can be overcome.

- The blue coating of the padding is wearring off. Probably due to the abrasive nature of my unshaven yet somehow manly facial hair. Which leaves me with tiny blue thingies on my chin after training. Like smurf skin.



But I'm happy with it.

Some people in my group are using masks by other makers, I'll post reviews here too.

[Nikos]

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_Home_Coaching_Equipment_50.html

I used one of these Specialist Coaching masks Ref: A280C-
(the least expensive of the three on that page) and it serves me very well. They are more padded inside than standard masks and some of the padding is removable to wash. The mesh is much harder to dent than most other masks. Highly recommended if you can afford them.

I have used one of these for a long time as well and its one of the best purchases I ever made.

On another note, the more expensive mask with the X-change system, one of our members bought one recently and I have found the liner to be far less substantial and padded as the normal coaching mask, I would not recommend it, the A280C is much better.

[Jose SP]

I have this one:
http://www.uhlmann-fechtsport.com/modul ... s_id=50312
, an Uhlmann FIE mask. It's very sturdy and still easy to form to fit your head.
They aren't very expensive and gives you as good protection as a standard mask can give.
On the bad side there's two bands in the back of the mask, they suck for fastnening the mask to your head, so I don't even use them but use the bendable metal plate only. The padding on the inside can't be replaced.

[Neil Cardy]

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_Home_Coaching_Equipment_50.html

I used one of these Specialist Coaching masks Ref: A280C-
(the least expensive of the three on that page) and it serves me very well. They are more padded inside than standard masks and some of the padding is removable to wash. The mesh is much harder to dent than most other masks. Highly recommended if you can afford them.

I have used one of these for a long time as well and its one of the best purchases I ever made.

On another note, the more expensive mask with the X-change system, one of our members bought one recently and I have found the liner to be far less substantial and padded as the normal coaching mask, I would not recommend it, the A280C is much better.

I have used the A280CX (with the X-change system for the last 6 months or so and have been very pleased with it. The padding did seem lighter than my previous Leon Paul mask, but I have had no problems or concerns when using it in freeplay. I use the sabre cover that Iain mentioned which may help matters.

But overall comfortable good protection.

[ASP]

I recently bought the Leon Paul "Specialist" mask.

It has an excellent fit, feels much more lightweight than other brands I have tested. The bib on this model is a little bit shorter than on other brands meaning that it´s much easier to move the head around.

I also think that it has a very nice look about it.

//ASP

[Stevie T]

Oz suggested theseto me for cheap entry level

http://swordpricefighters.com/foil.html


£38 including postage, and they do the job.

[Cutlery Penguin]

Oz suggested theseto me for cheap entry level

http://swordpricefighters.com/foil.html


£38 including postage, and they do the job.

Yep, they are cheap and cheerful but do the job well enough. The mesh is nice and sturdy and has held up well (the oldest one I have is about 1 year old). The stitching on the velcro on the strap at the back is beginning to come away. No big deal but irritating.

For the price I have yet to find one to beat them.

[Monster Zero]

I ordered the Leon Paul Coaching mask and leather cover thanks to this thread.

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

[Nikos]

Oh yeh, just after all my praise of my coaching mask, I should have known it would be the kiss of death. Last weak during some grappling in a longsword fight I headbutted my opponent and this caused the liner to break away from the rivets in the mesh, typical!

[Monster Zero]

My Coaching mask just arrived...

However it was missing one important thing...

The padding...

Arrrrggghhh!

[Johann B]

Anyone looking for a small or large 1600N mask should check this out:

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_H ... y_141.html

Only available until tomorrow (Jul 31). From what I can tell it is functionally equivalent to the specialist coaching mask, but works out £25 cheaper or thereabouts.

Johann

[craftyfighter]

Anyone looking for a small or large 1600N mask should check this out:

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_H ... y_141.html

Only available until tomorrow (Jul 31). From what I can tell it is functionally equivalent to the specialist coaching mask, but works out £25 cheaper or thereabouts.

Johann

wow! another Johann....weird

Johann

[Joeli]

http://www.thatguysproducts.com/gallery.html

I have one of these. It's half way between a sport fencing mask and a bascinet. There was couple of people interested in mine in Dijon and Fightcamp this year, so if you really want one, here's the link. The waiting list for them has grown absolutely monstrous, though. But I can assure you that according to all I've heard and experienced, the seller is efficient and reliable.

The mask is kind of expensive and made to measure with close fitting leather strap suspension, so it's not for general use in clubs. But it's definitely better than a sport fencing mask for longsword work as it absorbs impacts really well and would actually count as armour. The ventilation is better, too. If you have a neck problem, a lighter mask would be more comfortable as this one is moderately heavy. It wasn't a big issue for me, as one gets used to is after the first couple of days.

[Motley]

I have one of these too and I realt like it. For stell londsword it feeling much more secuure that a fencing mask. and if you go for the ridgied back of the head protection option it stiffens the whole thing up. They are a little more tricky to get on an off though, more straps and stuff. You can not just slip then on and off, but then you don't gt your fencing mask knocked off your head by a blow either (which has happened to me before)

As said visibility and ventilation is better than with a fencing mask. The matching gorget he does as well is nice. I think we have a bout four of these more with some more on the way.

They are a bit pricey, especially when the exchange rate changes on you so much like it did with me. but I think worth it.

[Brodie]

http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Shop_Home_This_month_only_141.html

What do people think of the mask on this page? will it standup to shinai sparing?

[Michael S]

In a word - yes. Some people prefer coaching masks and saber masks as they have a bit more padding, don't 'ring' quite as much and/or have a black bib, but that one would stand up to weighted shinai sparring. I'd recommend making some protection for the back of the head and neck, but that's trivial.

[Harry]

I now tested the leon paul mask
http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Contou ... _Mask.html

and I tested it in connection with

https://www.allstar.de/index.php?cPath= ... 2a8a3135fb

conclusion:

the mask is awesome! it fits really well and because there is no steel clamp on your backhead it is absolute comfortable.

the backhead protection fits perfect on the mask. there is only one thing with is disturbing a little... because the leon paul mask has no velcro strips at the right place you will pull the protection off the mask everytime when you take the mask off.

but I personally prefer the leon paul mask together with the allstar addon because it is much more comfortable!