New Fencer’s Shopping List

Absolute Fencing in Bridgewater is a good one stop source that GL fencers have used for years. There are other fencing suppliers in the area and online, but Absolute is probably your best bet. They have everything you need; they know GL and won’t push stuff you do not need, and they offer a GL discount, I think it is 10%.

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/

Uniform

Material can be either all cotton [slightly less expensive] or a cotton polyester blend [slightly more expensive, stretches better]. Though polyester blends don’t retain as much perspiration, neither cotton nor blends will feel anything like “cool” once the fencer is sweating.

1. Jacket – [no name or country on back for newbies; that is required and earned by competition in national/international meets.]
2. Pants [aka knickers]
3. Plastron [shoulder/pit guard]
4. Gauntlet
5. Fencing socks. Absolute has long, white socks very reasonably priced. There will be team color socks provided, but you’ll want several pair for getting through the practice week.
6. One mask appropriate for your student’s weapon. Epee’s and Foils are the same at this level of fencing.  Sabers have the metallic helmet. Clear visor saber masks are permitted. Absolute now has masks with removable liners, which are much easier to wash; they get about $15 more for that.
7. Shoes – there is no requirement that you have fencing specific shoes. Absolute does make a basic fencing shoe that is a good buy and is very well suited for new fencers. Click AF Elite Shoe II to view details.  You can also try indoor soccer or indoor track shoes, though you may still be in the same ballpark cost wise.
8. You don’t need to buy FIE gear – it is too much from a functionality and price standpoint. Fencers do not require that unless they are in an international event.

Weapons

• 3 weapons – [Coach has always recommended 3; without a team armorer it is more important than ever]
• 3 PVC weapons covers – you can also get the PVC from Home Depot and make them yourself if you have the time.
• 3 body cords, these should match your weapon, Absolute will hook you up with the right ones.

Bags & various other tips

• Absolute has a reasonably priced basic bag that is perfect for a newbie fencer. You don’t need a special rolling bag; they are more expensive and take extra room in our volunteer gear-driver’s vehicles. 
• We recommend lots of zip lock bags in assorted sizes to keep things orderly and prevent rust.
• Pack extra T shirts for fencers to change into after practices and meets. 
• Wash the uniforms periodically, they get gamey pretty quickly.  Enzymatic cleaning agents may help. Coach swears by a couple of shots of vodka.  (It goes into the washing machine!)
• Masks without removable liner can be washed in the dishwasher, but do not put it through the dry cycle as the plastics may be damaged. DON’T wash the metal saber mask in water; check with one of the coaches on how to clean.
• Coach will provide a packing list handout to fencers and they will go over how to pack the bags to protect the gear.
• LABEL everything – and don’t be shy about it. Fencing meets are chaotic and bits of uniforms and weapons get mixed up very easily. We usually have about a dozen emails a year from parents tracking down some lost article.