| Equipment: The "What do I need?" page. |
The short answer: Nothing!
As of the Fall of 2007 we will no longer be requiring students of any level to
purchase their own equipment, we will always provide it for as long as you take
classes with us. Students may still purchase their own equipment if they
choose. Equipment not purchased through WTC or RSF must be approved
prior to use in class.
As of the fall of 2007 I will also no longer be acting as a distributor for some
pieces of fencing equipment. I will continue to stock gloves, gorgets and
bucklers but all other equipment should be purchased directly through a
vendor.
Please always wear durable pants and sneakers to class. I recommend a light
shirt or tank top under your jacket.
Here is what equipment is needed for our classes and what they
would cost you to buy them, as well as where we recommend getting
them.
Jacket - A standard fencing jacket or tunic. Must fit properly and be in
reasonable condition. Cost: 40-90$ depending on size and style.
We recommend the tunics from www.zenwarriorarmory.com
Mask - A standard fencing mask, must be in good condition and fit properly.
Cost: 65$, but nicer ones can be had for up to 125$.
We reccommend the 1999 Mask from www.zenwarriorarmory.com
Gloves - Gloves must be of a durable material, and heavy enough to prevent
abrasion injury (some protection from impact is good as well). The cuff of the
glove MUST extend up and over the sleeve of the fencing jacket. Most gloves
lack a cuff of sufficient size and thus we recommend that people purchase
purpose-made fencing or swordfighting gloves. In some cases work gloves
can be made to work but this is not a good solution. We sell a very excellent
deerskin or cowhide glove with a huge cuff as well as a selection of cheaper
standard fencing gloves and highly recommend students use these gloves or
something similar. Cost: anywhere from 8-50$ We provide cheapie fencing
gloves @ $22 and our nicest gloves are $38 and $42.
Gorget - A gorget is rigid throat protection. Since we use heavier and stiffer
blades, we need to protect our throats with a big plate of steel. The front and
sides of the throat must be covered as well as the back of the neck including
the cervical vertebrae. Gorgets must be of a RIGID material. Gorgets are
available from WTC for $40-45 and can be purchased elsewhere for a similar
price.
Athletic Cups and Breast Cups - Males are STRONGLY encouraged to
wear athletic cups. Oddly enough, our insurance does not require it therefore
we do not mandate cups. However, Breast cups are required for females due
to the frequency of chest-area hits. These are available from us for 7-9$.
Weapons - If you are thinking of buying your own weapon I strongly
encourage you to speak to me to ensure you purchase an appropriate blade
from a quality maker.
Foils, epees, double wide epees and SCA style schlagers are NOT
APPROPRIATE for our classes.
Students should purchase historically appropriate rapier hilts with a properly
tapering bated rapier blade. 40-42" blade length is recommended.
Quality manufacterers on a budget are:
www.darkwoodarmory.com
www.jamesthejust.com
Please remember to order a tip/blunt for your blade with your weapon
purchase. Many makers DO NOT include the tip unless you ask and it is
annoying to have to pay another $5 shipping for a $1 tip that you forgot to get.
Please do not buy from cheap import distributors, their fencing blades are of
extremely low quality. I also do not recomend rapiers from Zenwarriorarmory.
If you want to spend more than $500 on a blade, talk to me and I will point you
towards excellent custom replica makers.
Daggers can be purchased from either of the above makers or Alchemy Inc.
Bucklers can be purchased through WTC.
As of the Fall of 2007 we will no longer be requiring students of any level to
purchase their own equipment, we will always provide it for as long as you take
classes with us. Students may still purchase their own equipment if they
choose. Equipment not purchased through WTC or RSF must be approved
prior to use in class.
As of the fall of 2007 I will also no longer be acting as a distributor for some
pieces of fencing equipment. I will continue to stock gloves, gorgets and
bucklers but all other equipment should be purchased directly through a
vendor.
Please always wear durable pants and sneakers to class. I recommend a light
shirt or tank top under your jacket.
Here is what equipment is needed for our classes and what they
would cost you to buy them, as well as where we recommend getting
them.
Jacket - A standard fencing jacket or tunic. Must fit properly and be in
reasonable condition. Cost: 40-90$ depending on size and style.
We recommend the tunics from www.zenwarriorarmory.com
Mask - A standard fencing mask, must be in good condition and fit properly.
Cost: 65$, but nicer ones can be had for up to 125$.
We reccommend the 1999 Mask from www.zenwarriorarmory.com
Gloves - Gloves must be of a durable material, and heavy enough to prevent
abrasion injury (some protection from impact is good as well). The cuff of the
glove MUST extend up and over the sleeve of the fencing jacket. Most gloves
lack a cuff of sufficient size and thus we recommend that people purchase
purpose-made fencing or swordfighting gloves. In some cases work gloves
can be made to work but this is not a good solution. We sell a very excellent
deerskin or cowhide glove with a huge cuff as well as a selection of cheaper
standard fencing gloves and highly recommend students use these gloves or
something similar. Cost: anywhere from 8-50$ We provide cheapie fencing
gloves @ $22 and our nicest gloves are $38 and $42.
Gorget - A gorget is rigid throat protection. Since we use heavier and stiffer
blades, we need to protect our throats with a big plate of steel. The front and
sides of the throat must be covered as well as the back of the neck including
the cervical vertebrae. Gorgets must be of a RIGID material. Gorgets are
available from WTC for $40-45 and can be purchased elsewhere for a similar
price.
Athletic Cups and Breast Cups - Males are STRONGLY encouraged to
wear athletic cups. Oddly enough, our insurance does not require it therefore
we do not mandate cups. However, Breast cups are required for females due
to the frequency of chest-area hits. These are available from us for 7-9$.
Weapons - If you are thinking of buying your own weapon I strongly
encourage you to speak to me to ensure you purchase an appropriate blade
from a quality maker.
Foils, epees, double wide epees and SCA style schlagers are NOT
APPROPRIATE for our classes.
Students should purchase historically appropriate rapier hilts with a properly
tapering bated rapier blade. 40-42" blade length is recommended.
Quality manufacterers on a budget are:
www.darkwoodarmory.com
www.jamesthejust.com
Please remember to order a tip/blunt for your blade with your weapon
purchase. Many makers DO NOT include the tip unless you ask and it is
annoying to have to pay another $5 shipping for a $1 tip that you forgot to get.
Please do not buy from cheap import distributors, their fencing blades are of
extremely low quality. I also do not recomend rapiers from Zenwarriorarmory.
If you want to spend more than $500 on a blade, talk to me and I will point you
towards excellent custom replica makers.
Daggers can be purchased from either of the above makers or Alchemy Inc.
Bucklers can be purchased through WTC.
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