Categories: ​Your First Class | What is Olympic Fencing | Fencing Resources | Equipment/Gear | Tournaments
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where to watch / listen to fencing?

YouTube: FIE fencing channel
Podcast: First to 15

USA Fencing

REGIONAL / NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Locate & Signup on USA Fencing 
ATHLETE HANDBOOK
For fencers, coaches, administrators, and parents. Provides the information pertinent to all aspects of USA Fencing programs. ​
usa_fencing_athlete_handbook_2023-24_12-22-23.pdf
File Size: 3891 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

ASKFRED
FRED stands for "Fencing Results and Events Database"

FRED, founded in 2002, is a self-serve platform for fencing tournament organizers and fencers to coordinate participation in fencing tournaments.

​In the 2022-2023 fencing season, FRED was redeveloped from the ground up to ensure its continued stability into the future.
https://www.askfred.net

Other places to train

Cheyenne Fencing Society & Modern Pentathlon Center of Denver

HPFG is honored to to have inter-club tournaments with the all-star athletes training under 3x US Olympic Fencer Elaine Cheris at Cheyenne Fencing Society & Modern Pentathlon Center of Denver. For an experience unlike any other take the opportunity and train with Elaine (private lessons are available as well as classes for under 11 years old, Over 11 years old, and experienced adult fencers)

They also have fencing camps over the summer and sign ups are open now! 
http://www.coloradofencing.com/
Elaine.Cheris@coloradofencing.com
South Denver Fencing Academy

720-200-5588
7075 South Alton Way, Unit B
Centennial, Colorado 80112​

https://southdenverfencing.com/
info@southdenverfencing.com

*note: many of our HPFG fencers have competed at tournaments hosted by SDFA and we can attest that they offer an incredibly warm and welcoming environment. If you're new to fencing tournaments they are the perfect place to attend your first sanctioned tournament. Everyone from the front desk, armorers, referees, event staff, and club members are helpful and encouraging to new fencers. 
Four Corners Fencing Club (4 Corners)

1550 main ave
Durango, CO 81301, US
(714) 363-6658

https://www.fourcornersfencingclub.com/
fourcournersfencingclub@gmail.com
Northern Colorado Fencers (NCOFencers)

1949 33rd St.
Boulder, CO 80301, US
(303) 641-6557

www.ncfencers.org
ncfboulder@gmail.com

Good to know info about gear and suppliers

Non FIE gear is much less expensive than FIE gear, works great, and can be used for tournaments. However, it will also wears faster. Start with the non FIE and replace after it wears out. Grips can be reused; there is no special grip for Electric Epee. French grips only fit on a full (uncut) blade. Non French grips only fit on cut blades (tang must be cut properly and threaded) 

Epee blades: 
  • Places like Absolute Fencing, The Fencing Post etc are distributors and do not forge their own blades. Blades are purchased and stamped with their logos and marketing. 
  • Blue and White etc are just coatings for the blades. More aesthetic than anything.
  • Flexibility: Medium, Stiff, Soft. Talk to your coach and armorer for details and suggestion
  • Blade size will always be #5 (others sizes are not for adults)
  • Blade makers (foundries): FOLO (now UNIC), Franchini, Leon Paul, Blaise Freres, Allstar/Uhlmann, StM, Vniti
  • You can purchase a bare electric blade, a pre-wired blade (includes tip and is wired up), or a full weapon. Start off with a full weapon or talk to Trevor about customizing. Trevor is also able to wire blades for you and cut tang to the proper length for your preferred grip. It’s cheaper to get a bare blade and have Trevor wire it (no charge for service but parts are at cost, average is $20 for wire + complete point)
  • If purchasing just a blade (wired or not) it will have to be bent properly and if not pre-cut then cut to size for your grip. Trevor can do this for you. If using a French grip your blade does not need to be cut but will need to be bent. 
  • For tournaments I would stick to the below brands, durability and quality are very important. Breaking a blade in a tournament when you only have two means you're gonna have a bad time.

BF = Blaise Freres. This is the most popular foundry for blades. They only make FIE blades. They vary A LOT in flexibility and feel from each batch. If possible pick your blade in person (stands at tournaments)
LP = Leon Paul. Leon Paul is a UK brand, pretty pricey but they have their own forge and make great blades. The Non FIE Epee (see Trevor’s) is a good price ($108 for the blade) and is very durable. The Fusion ($119) and Fusion Pro ($192) also have a good reputation. 
Allstar / Uhlmann (same company, different product lines). German company and very popular. Allstar clothing is a more athletic fit than the Uhlmann line. Blades are good quality. Their new Black Predator blade has a great reputation and has become very popular. Allstar gear must be purchased through a shop like AbsoluteFencing or AllianceFencing. They do not sell direct to the US.
UNIC (FOLO). Highly recommended by Trevor. They offer free shipping most of the time and are extremely good quality. The F1 is a great non FIE blade and their FIE blade is Trevor’s new favorite. Foundry is in Ukraine but production doesn’t seem to be an issue.
StM and Dynamo are also in Ukraine but due to the war their production has slowed. A lot of shops are hit and miss if they will have StM or Dynamo in stock. 

Where to buy

Shipping can be very expensive. Absolute Fencing advertise good prices but shipping can be pretty high so be sure to take this into account when ordering. A great savings can be had by placing one large order instead of multiple smaller orders spread out. Don’t get their house brand blades for tournaments. They do carry BF and other quality blades though. 

WARNING: Blue Gauntlet
Armorer Trevor has had many poor experiences with the quality of Blue Gauntlet equipment. Broken blades, defective wires, incorrectly sized uniforms etc. They often setup a table at regional and open tournaments, be warned the Allstar/Uhlmann gear they sell there is on average $50-60 higher than purchasing from Need A Blade (who offers free shipping). If you do purchase from their table there are NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES! They are useful for in-person sizing of jackets to see how that Allstar Startex jacket will fit but don't buy there. Head over to Need a Blade and save some major $$ and headaches. 

Best places for just blades:

UNIC (FOLO): purchase from their US ebay store for best price. Trevor has purchased from them often and Bogdan (US rep here) is a great guy and easy to work with. If there is any issue at all he will make it right. They sell tips, wires, sockets, wires, and guards as well
https://www.ebay.com/usr/unic.fencing.america​

Need A Blade: Best prices for Allstar, Uhlmann, and Black Predator blades and uniforms (and has free shipping)
needablade.com

  • Negrini has a very slow website but great gear
  • PBT has a great Plastron that is comfortable and their ultra light uniform is the best FIE uniform you can get for the price. Slightly heavier than AllStar and Leon Paul FIE lines but a fraction of the price
    • ​I highly recommend their helmets, best comfort and quality for the price
  • Leon Paul gear is pricey but very comfortable same goes for Allstar
    • ​Leon Paul quality has decreased recently compared to previous years. Velcro that doesn't last long, stitching tears etc. Still great gear though
  • When possible opt for the Pro line/superlight/more expensive version Plastrons and Jackets as they will be much lighter and more comfortable while also lasting longer for lower total cost of ownership. (example of Absolute Fencing jacket price of $60 for standard and $90 for Elite Stretch. The Elite Stretch is well worth the difference in terms of comfort and durability)

Shoes: Indoor turf soccer shoes are very similar to fancy fencing shoes but way way cheaper. Court shoes like ones for racquetball are also excellent and cost effective choices. Wear what’s comfortable and offers grip

Where to get gear, weapons, blades, parts, etc
in no particular order