Equipment
Club members who are beginner fencers may use club equipment for the first 8 weeks, after which they are expected to have their own basic equipment jackets, breaches, undeplastrons, masks, weapons, etc. More information about equipment requirements you can find on NSW Fencing Association website http://www.nswfencing.org.au
Please note that after the 8 week period, the Club considers it reasonable to expect fencers to purchase their own equipment and allow the club equipment to be passed on to newcomers. Having own gear is also important from health and safety point of view. The PAFC can assist in purchasing of fencing equipment.
Important:
- It is always fencer’s responsibility to be familiar with and follows all current Club, NSWFA, AFF and FIE rules and policies.
- It is fencer’s responsibility to use in trainings and in competitions only such equipment which meets all current requirements and renew accordingly.
- It is fencer’s responsibility to check equipment every time before using it and ensure at all times that equipment you use is safe.
- All equipment must be regularly maintained and removed from use if defective or you are unsure about its condition.
- Fencers should avoid any risk of legal liability by fencing within the Rules and ensuring that their equipment is
safe.
- Fencer's insurance may be invalid if he/she turns up to train or to compete with equipment which does not meet the minimum requirement.
An introduction to fencing kit
Much of the equipment used in fencing is worn with safety in mind. Fencing is an extremely safe sport provided the correct equipment is worn.
Choosing fencing equipment can be confusing, particularly for beginners. Information in this guide is provided to assist fencers when purchasing equipment and get the most from the sport while staying safe.
At various levels of competitions fencers must follow the rules as adopted by the NSW Fencing Association (NSWFA), the Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) and the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
Fencing equipment can be divided into two categories:
- protective equipment (jacket, breaches, undeplastron, mask, etc.), and
- electrical scoring equipment (weapons, body wire, lame jacket, etc.).
The basic fencing equipment and clothing provides a fencer with protection compatible with the freedom of movement necessary for fencing. A full set of equipment is required for competitions.
The main parts of a fencer’s gear are as follows:
Jacket: is made from resistant cloth and includes a lining that makes a double thickness of material for the sleeve down to the elbow of the sword arm and covering the flank up to the armpit.
Underplastron: must be worn under the jacket for extra protection.
Breeches: protects from just below knees to several centimeters above the waist.
Socks: must be knee-length and cover legs completely and breeches should overlap them.
Chest protector: plastic chest protector is mandatory for females.
Mask: is protective item covering the face and sides of the head and incorporate a bib made of protective material over the front of the neck. They include a back strap to keep them in place. Masks are weapon specific.
Glove: is slightly padded with a gauntlet and protects the palm and the forearm of the fencer’s sword arm.
Swords: are foil, sabre or epee with various quality and sizes of blade.
Lamé: is a layer of electrically conductive material worn over the fencing jacket in sabre and foil that entirely covers the valid target area.
Body cord: serves as the connection between a fencer, sword and a reel of wire that is part of a system for electrically detecting that the weapon has touched the opponent.
Mask cord: connects mask to lame
Shoes: fencing shoes are preferable but any shoes will do
Bag: is optional, but useful, when carrying fencing equipment
Besides the basics, there exists a whole host of other pieces and parts which fencing equipment suppliers can provide for you. These consist of everything from spare blades and parts to replace broken gear to component upgrades, premium uniforms, and tools to help you test and fix your own gear.
Please remember that at fencing competitions whenever a fencer appears on fencing strip and during every bout he/she must always have equipment in working condition and in right quantity, e.g. 2 weapons and 2 body wires.
For U/11, U/13 and school competitions are some exception made. NSW Fencing has equipment available for hire for those competitions. For those categories foil blades are shorter therefore it is recommended borrowing them at competitions but of course you heave to have at least one electric weapon for club bouts.
Depending on the level at which you are fencing, different standards of equipment will be required. At the national competitions organised by Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) equipment must meet standards required by the FIE - this is a higher standard than is required at NSWFA competitions.
Please note that after the 8 week period, the Club considers it reasonable to expect fencers to purchase their own equipment and allow the club equipment to be passed on to newcomers. Having own gear is also important from health and safety point of view. The PAFC can assist in purchasing of fencing equipment.
Important:
- It is always fencer’s responsibility to be familiar with and follows all current Club, NSWFA, AFF and FIE rules and policies.
- It is fencer’s responsibility to use in trainings and in competitions only such equipment which meets all current requirements and renew accordingly.
- It is fencer’s responsibility to check equipment every time before using it and ensure at all times that equipment you use is safe.
- All equipment must be regularly maintained and removed from use if defective or you are unsure about its condition.
- Fencers should avoid any risk of legal liability by fencing within the Rules and ensuring that their equipment is
safe.
- Fencer's insurance may be invalid if he/she turns up to train or to compete with equipment which does not meet the minimum requirement.
An introduction to fencing kit
Much of the equipment used in fencing is worn with safety in mind. Fencing is an extremely safe sport provided the correct equipment is worn.
Choosing fencing equipment can be confusing, particularly for beginners. Information in this guide is provided to assist fencers when purchasing equipment and get the most from the sport while staying safe.
At various levels of competitions fencers must follow the rules as adopted by the NSW Fencing Association (NSWFA), the Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) and the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
Fencing equipment can be divided into two categories:
- protective equipment (jacket, breaches, undeplastron, mask, etc.), and
- electrical scoring equipment (weapons, body wire, lame jacket, etc.).
The basic fencing equipment and clothing provides a fencer with protection compatible with the freedom of movement necessary for fencing. A full set of equipment is required for competitions.
The main parts of a fencer’s gear are as follows:
Jacket: is made from resistant cloth and includes a lining that makes a double thickness of material for the sleeve down to the elbow of the sword arm and covering the flank up to the armpit.
Underplastron: must be worn under the jacket for extra protection.
Breeches: protects from just below knees to several centimeters above the waist.
Socks: must be knee-length and cover legs completely and breeches should overlap them.
Chest protector: plastic chest protector is mandatory for females.
Mask: is protective item covering the face and sides of the head and incorporate a bib made of protective material over the front of the neck. They include a back strap to keep them in place. Masks are weapon specific.
Glove: is slightly padded with a gauntlet and protects the palm and the forearm of the fencer’s sword arm.
Swords: are foil, sabre or epee with various quality and sizes of blade.
Lamé: is a layer of electrically conductive material worn over the fencing jacket in sabre and foil that entirely covers the valid target area.
Body cord: serves as the connection between a fencer, sword and a reel of wire that is part of a system for electrically detecting that the weapon has touched the opponent.
Mask cord: connects mask to lame
Shoes: fencing shoes are preferable but any shoes will do
Bag: is optional, but useful, when carrying fencing equipment
Besides the basics, there exists a whole host of other pieces and parts which fencing equipment suppliers can provide for you. These consist of everything from spare blades and parts to replace broken gear to component upgrades, premium uniforms, and tools to help you test and fix your own gear.
Please remember that at fencing competitions whenever a fencer appears on fencing strip and during every bout he/she must always have equipment in working condition and in right quantity, e.g. 2 weapons and 2 body wires.
For U/11, U/13 and school competitions are some exception made. NSW Fencing has equipment available for hire for those competitions. For those categories foil blades are shorter therefore it is recommended borrowing them at competitions but of course you heave to have at least one electric weapon for club bouts.
Depending on the level at which you are fencing, different standards of equipment will be required. At the national competitions organised by Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) equipment must meet standards required by the FIE - this is a higher standard than is required at NSWFA competitions.
