EQUIPMENT

See the FORMS page for details on renting gear. Note some of this information is out of date, specifically price and items have changed over time.

Once your hooked on fencing it is best to order your own equipment. You can order equipment through us and receive a discount on equipment or purchase it directly yourself.

Absolute Fencing Discount

Absolute Fencing is the club’s sponsored equipment vendor. If you are ordering Absolute branded gear the cost is 10% off list, that covers tax and shipping, exchanges may cost more for shipping.

Cost

Initial cost for a starter set of equipment is about $215 - $350. To get basic electric equipment is another $215+. For competitions you need Knickers and back up electric gear. You may also want bags, shoes, and socks. Adding a new weapon requires all the gear for that weapon. Weapons and body cords do break, they can be repaired but you need to buy parts. More expensive weapons (FIE) cost more but last longer. We will rent you equipment so that you can purchase your equipment as you can, and need. The AFAD armorer can fix your equipment, and provides classes to teach you how to do your own repairs.

How To Order

You must let us know exactly what you want, size, color, Right or Left Hand, etc. You can finding sizing help at the item’s description. Shop at www.absolutefencinggear.com and decide on exactly what you want to order. Be sure to read the information on how to measure for size.

Once you know what you want to order send an email to afadinc@gmail.com, please specify your name and contact information, who the fencer is (if it’s not you), if you are an AFAD member, where you are taking classes and who is the instructor, and specify the details of the equipment you want to order.

We will place an order and when the equipment arrives we will arrange getting it to your class with an invoice, you can pay us at time of pickup. There are additional shipping costs for Returns and Exchanges.

Electric Versus Practice ‘Dry’

Practice or ‘Dry’ equipment is not electric. Electric equipment is used for tournaments and anytime there is an electric scoring machine, like in ‘open fencing’. In general classes are taught using ‘Dry’ gear. When starting out the fencer only needs ‘Dry’ gear, but after completing the Beginner Classes the fencer can start coming to ‘open fencing’ and will need electric gear. Electric gear is more expensive and requires more maintenance, so it can be nice to have a practice weapon for classes, and practice. Tournaments always use electric gear unless specified otherwise (very rare). Fencers in Y10 or younger groups need to have a size #0, or #2 weapon. Size #5 is the longest and used by most other fencers.

Weapons and Weapon Specific Equipment

There are three different weapons in fencing. Foil (the main weapon we teach and start with), Epee, and Saber. When fencing electric each weapon has a different set of specific required equipment. A weapon is complete and includes guard and grip, replacement ‘blades’ can be ordered if a blade breaks, and come in wired or non wired. They need to be wired, you can order them that way or do it yourself if you know how. FIE blades are better quality steel and last much longer, are less likely to break and recover from bad bends easier, but cost much more.

Masks:

Epee is the basic non conductive mask (old style foil mask, and what is sold in most starter ‘Dry’ packages), Foil has a conductive bib, and the entire Saber mask is conductive. A Epee mask can be converted to a Foil mask by attaching a conductive bib.

Cords:

There are body cords and mask cords. In Epee you only need a body cord, and you need an ‘Epee’ body cord. For Saber and Foil you need a body cord and mask cord, and they can be used for both weapons.

Lame:

Saber and Foil both require weapon specific lames. Saber has long sleeves, foil is a vest.

Cuff:

Saber requires a Cuff to go over the glove.

Grips:

French is the traditional taught to beginners, but over 90% of fencers switch to a pistol grip (Visconti or vis. is the most popular). We recommend starting with a pistol grip unless your instructor recommends otherwise.

Points: For electric weapons you’ll need to choose the type of point. We recommend German versus French.

What To Order

Basic Required Equipment:

Jacket, Plastron (underarm protector), Chest Protector (required for females, optional for males), Glove, Mask (recommend getting foil mask with conductive bib), and Weapon.

Minimum For Electric Fencing:

Electric Weapon, Lame (for foil, and saber), Mask must be weapon specific, Body Cord, Mask Cord for Foil and Epee, and Cuff for Saber.

Required For Tournaments:

Knickers, long socks, at least two of each weapons, body cords, and mask cords. For national level tournaments the last name is required on the back leg of Knickers or the back of lame (for Foil and Saber) or back of jacket for Epee. For International tournaments the last name is required, and the country abbreviation (USA), also all equipment must meet FIE standards. Stenciling can be added to your order for around $20, but a stenciled item can not be returned.

Other Items:

Bag - To hold and store equipment, bigger is better as you will only add more equipment.

Shoes - Fencing can be hard on shoes, fencing specific shoes provide different support and traction.

Blade Covers - Can help protect blades from rusting if storing with sweaty clothes.

Spare parts and armory equipment can be handy for doing your own repairs at home or at a tournament .

Recommendations

Info below was of date 12/30/22 Don’t buy a starter set, unless you are ordering directly. We don’t get a discount on the set’s and it’s better to pick the exact items you want / need instead. If you are an Adult that isn’t growing you may want to consider the FIE gear. It is only necessary if competing outside of the USA, it’s about 3x as much but is better quality.

I recommend the Absolute Fencing AF Elite Stretch 2020 uniform. Items are listed in order that I recommend getting them (Practice Weapon can be nice for practicing hitting a target at home).

Underarm Pro: AF Elite Stretch 2020 350N Underarm Protector [23025] $29

Jacket: AF Elite Stretch 2020 350N Girl’s Jacket [21042G] $89

AF Elite Stretch 2020 350N Boys Jacket [21041K] $89

AF Elite Stretch 2020 350N Women’s Jacket [21042] $89

AF Elite Stretch 2020 350N Men’s Jacket [21041] $89

Mask: AF Removable CE 350 N Foil Mask: W/ INOX Bib (new Strap System) [11002FR] $94

Glove: Absolute Ultra Comfort Glove [31019] $26

Chest Protector: FIE (padded) is required for competitions in USA, Women Must have one, Optional For Men.

Absolute FIE Women’s Plastic Chest Protector [23004FIE] $55

Absolute FIE Men’s Plastic Chest Protector [23003FIE] $55

Practice Weapon: AF Standard Practice Foil w Pistol Grip [81002] $35

Weapon Cover: AF Soft Blade Cover [61007] $4