Where is a good place to buy low-priced fencing gear?

I would like to find a place that offers low-price fencing gear. I%26#039;m paying my way through college so I can%26#039;t afford to go too far over a hundred. Also, this is the first time I have ever purchased my own gear and I need to know how to figure out sizes for helmets, jackets and even the swords. (I had no idea there were different sized weapons to buy)





Thanks.|||Oh Boy,...





First off, the%26#039;re Masks not Helmets,


Weapons not Swords, and while we%26#039;re at this, Gloves not Gauntlets.





There are several websites that sell fencing equipment:


American Fencers Supply http://www.amfencing.com


Blade Fencing http://www.blade-fencing.com


The Fencing Post http://www.thefencingpost.com


Leon Paul-USA http://www.leonpaulusa.com


Blue Gauntlet http://www.blue-gauntlet.com


Physical Chess http://www.physicalchess.com


FenceSmart http://www.fencesmart.com


Allstar USA http://www.allstar-usa.com


Triplette(TCA) http://www.triplette.com


Absolute Fencing http://www.absolutefencinggear.com





Most, if not all of those sell starter sets. although, it will cost more than $100.


If you are just starting out as a fencer, those might be the best for you; for more advanced fencers, most people recommend getting FIE equipment(more expensive, lasts longer, and for the clothing - it can sustain heavier newton weight %26#039;attacks%26#039;) usually saving up for a mask, and then buying other equipment afterwards.





I%26#039;ve had some luck finding cheap equipment on eBay, but if you%26#039;re not sure what you need, it will be hard to get the right stuff.





As far as sizes go, most of the websites show you how to measure for the equipment.


for the weapons, being an adult, most people use #5, which is the standard adult size.





I%26#039;m assuming you know that there are 3 types of weapons;


the Saber, or Sabre:


you (cut) hit with the side of the blade, or with the point.


the target is everything from the waist up, front and back, excluding the hands.


and there are Right of Way(ROW) rules that you follow for scoring.


the Epee:


you hit with only the point of the weapon.


the target is the entire body, from head to toe.


whoever hits first gets the point (if both competitors hit each other within 45ms, they both get a point.)


the Foil:


you hit with the point only.


the target is the torso, front and back, including the groin, and excluding the head and arms.


ROW rules apply to foil as well.





if you are taking a begginer class, you will most likely be fencing %26#039;dry%26#039; (without electric equipment,) however if you are going to compete, in most tournaments you will need electric equipment.





If you have a coach, ask your coach for more info about what to get.





Also, a great resource for fencers is http://www.fencing.net


they have a discussion forum where you can ask questions, and get answers from all around the country, and the world.|||Fencing equipment can vary greatly in terms of quality, but the following vendors have been rated highly in terms of customer service by the people over at Fencing.Net (http://www.fencing.net/forums/)





Absolute Fencing Gear (http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/)


American Fencers (http://www.amfence.com/)


The Fencing Post (http://www.thefencingpost.com/)


Fencing.Net (http://shop.fencing.net/)





For sizing the mask and jackets, most vendors should have a sizing chart. Fencing.net has a video of how to size for the mask: http://shop.fencing.net/Articles.asp?ID=...





You%26#039;ll want to choose a %26quot;size 5%26quot; blade for your foil - size 5 is the adult size and size 2 is for kids under 10 years old.