On this page we will take a closer look at the required material and where you can purchase it.
Thanks to Vic for the detailed information.
Clothing
Often fencers, and especially parents of young fencers, ask what fencing clothing is necessary or useful. The simple answer is: FIE approved (800N) clothing. Due to the use of modern plastics (super fibres) such as Dyneema, this clothing offers excellent protection against accidents with broken blades. Especially vulnerable places such as the armpit are extra protected. When using such clothing, fatal accidents, even among top athletes, are virtually impossible.
Short or long blade?
The rules are quite simple: in the year you turn 12 you go from the Benjamins to the pupils after the summer break. Chicks and benjamins fence with a short blade.
If you participate in a competition for pupils or older (and that is also allowed before you are a pupil yourself) you may fence with a long blade. Your shouldn’t.
At some recreational competitions, such as the JPT, the rule is not always strictly enforced. It is fairer if both fencers use an equally long weapon. Ask your opponent – if you use a short weapon yourself- to borrow a short weapon if necessary. If you are about 12 years old, you may want to bring a spare gun in the other length yourself (from the club).
It’s not that a too hard blow or stab is less painful. The old-fashioned cardigan made of thick cotton is just as effective for preventing bruises and red welts. It should also be remembered that these modern plastics are not resistant to high temperatures or bleaching agents.
What is the well-dressed fencer wearing?
He or she wears:
- A mask (350, 800 or 1600 N)
- A fencing vest (350 or 800N)
- An undervest (800 N)
- A fencing glove
- Preferably fencing pants with long stockings underneath
- Indoor sports shoes or special fencing shoes
- For women and girls: breast protection
What is required?
There are regulations of the KNAS (fencing federation), derived from the rules of the FIE (international fencing federation).
We must distinguish here between youth (up to about 12 years) and adults on the one hand, and between recreational fencers (training and a single recreational tournament) and competition fencers on the other.
For recreational fencing the prescription is: decent clothing.
Below is my interpretation of that prescription. For competitions, the requirements are clearer and heavier. Naturally, the recreational fencer can wear competition clothing. It is a bit more expensive, but you are well protected.
The regulations mentioned above are applied slightly differently for the JPT. See for that
JPT manual page 8.
The recommendation (for saber) is:
For Benjamins:
- Undervest 800 N
- Mask and vest at least 350 N
- Fencing pants
For pupils and older:
- Cardigan 800 N
- Undervest 800 N
- Mask 1600 N
- Fencing trousers and stockings
- S2000+ blade
So what do you need?
Below is an overview of what the saber fencer needs.
| recreational | chicks and benjamins competition | contest pupils and parents | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mask | 350N | 350N | 1600N | for competitions an electric mask |
| fencing vest | 350N | 350N | 800N | |
| undercoat | 800N | 800N | 800N | |
| chest protection for women | yes; also recommended for children | mandatory | mandatory | |
| glove | yes | yes, electric | yes, electric, 800 N | |
| fencing pants | mandatory | mandatory | mandatory | |
| stockings | for saber rather so | mandatory | mandatory | |
| electric vest | may | mandatory | mandatory | |
| conductive saber cuff | – | not anymore; sometimes allowed | not anymore; sometimes allowed | |
| fil de corps | – | 2 | 2 | the body cord; at competitions you must have a reserve with you |
| fil de tête | – | 2 | 2 | mask cable; reserve required |
| saber | yes | 2, electric | 2, electric | reservations required at competitions |
In what order?
Some don’t want to buy their equipment all at once, but want to buy a piece every now and then. What is the best order to do this in?
Many people first buy a gun, but the question is whether that is wise. It is more pleasant to first buy a vest and mask that only stink of your own sweat. You grow faster out of your vest than out of your mask. Then gloves, trousers and stockings.
If you are already quite sure that you want to participate in “real” competitions, you immediately buy FIE equipment, possibly second-hand. Otherwise material for the holiday maker will suffice, so the 350N version.
At Porthos you can use the club’s equipment free of charge for the first six months. After that, a fee of 25 euros per year is requested.
Where can I buy fencing products?
Your own stuff
As soon as you get home with your new stuff, it’s a good idea to put your name (or other marking) there. Many fencers sometimes forget a mask, gloves or something after a competition or training. The chance that you will get the lost object back will then be much higher.
It’s pretty pointless to walk into a sporting goods store for fencing gear. Shoes or stockings still work, but nothing else. There are various suppliers of fencing products. Many suppliers have a webshop, but if you want to try on a cardigan or trousers, it is better to visit the supplier. There is also a booth at almost every match. For a competition agenda you can go to the Nahouw.
Below some possibilities.
- Escrime in Hoogeloon (Eindhoven region) also has widely used fencing equipment. Always on the JPT.
- Bart Smits in Veldhoven.
- Lieffertz
in Cologne. Appears on many competitions in the Netherlands. - Marker Fechtwelt in Münster.
- jcsportworld in Rotterdam.
- Scaramouche in Arnhem.
- Wellenreuther Fechtsport in Mannheim.
- Ducolt in Vleuten.
You can also order stuff from your maître, which mainly buys from Marker Fechtwelt and Lieffertz.
How much does that cost?
Below is a price indication in euros (in 2020).
| recreational | competition | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mask | 100 | 160-300 | |
| fencing vest | 70-90 | 130-160 | |
| undervest 800 N | 80-100 | 80-100 | |
| chest protection | 25 | 30 | |
| glove | 18-35 | 50 | |
| fencing pants | 70 | 120-160 | |
| electric vest | 150-170 | ||
| fil de corps | 25 | each | |
| fil de tete | 6 | each | |
| saber | 50 | 70-150 | each |
And maybe another screen bag to take everything with you, 30-250 euros.On this page we will take a closer look at the required material and where you can purchase it.
Thanks to Vic for the detailed information.
Clothing and stuff
Often fencers, and especially parents of young fencers, ask what fencing clothing is necessary or useful. The simple answer is: FIE approved (800N) clothing. Due to the use of modern plastics (super fibres) such as Dyneema, this clothing offers excellent protection against accidents with broken blades. Especially vulnerable places such as the armpit are extra protected. When using such clothing, fatal accidents, even among top athletes, are virtually impossible.
short or long blade?
The rules are quite simple: in the year you turn 12 you go from the Benjamins to the pupils after the summer break. Chicks and benjamins fence with a short blade.
If you participate in a competition for pupils or older (and that is also allowed before you are a pupil yourself) you may fence with a long blade. Shouldn’t.
At some recreational competitions, such as the JPT, the rule is not always strictly enforced. It is fairer if both fencers use an equally long weapon. Ask your opponent – if you use a short weapon yourself- to borrow a short weapon if necessary. If you are about 12 years old, you may want to bring a spare gun in the other length yourself (from the club).
It’s not that a too hard blow or stab is less painful. The old-fashioned cardigan made of thick cotton is just as effective for preventing bruises and red welts. It should also be remembered that these modern plastics are not resistant to high temperatures or bleaching agents.
What is the well-dressed fencer wearing?
He or she wears:
- a mask (350, 800 or 1600 N)
- a fencing vest (350 or 800N)
- an undervest (800 N)
- 1 fencing glove
- preferably fencing pants with long stockings underneath
- indoor sports shoes or special fencing shoes
- for women and girls breast protection
What is required?
The regulations mentioned above are applied slightly differently for the JPT. See for that
JPT manual page 8.
The recommendation (for saber) is:
For Benjamins:
- undervest 800 N
- mask and vest at least 350 N
- fencing pants
For pupils and older:
- cardigan 800 N
- undervest 800 N
- mask 1600 N
- fencing trousers and stockings
- S2000+ blade
So what do you need?
Below is an overview of what the saber fencer needs.
| recreational | chicks and benjamins competition | contest pupils and parents | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mask | 350N | 350N | 1600N | for competitions an electric mask |
| fencing vest | 350N | 350N | 800N | |
| undercoat | 800N | 800N | 800N | |
| chest protection for women | yes; also recommended for children | mandatory | mandatory | |
| glove | yes | yes, electric | yes, electric, 800 N | |
| fencing pants | mandatory | mandatory | mandatory | |
| stockings | for saber rather so | mandatory | mandatory | |
| electric vest | may | mandatory | mandatory | |
| conductive saber cuff | – | not anymore; sometimes allowed | not anymore; sometimes allowed | |
| fil de corps | – | 2 | 2 | the body cord; at competitions you must have a reserve with you |
| fil de tête | – | 2 | 2 | mask cable; reserve required |
| saber | yes | 2, electric | 2, electric | reservations required at competitions |
In what order?
Some don’t want to buy their equipment all at once, but want to buy a piece every now and then. What is the best order to do this in?
Many people first buy a gun, but the question is whether that is wise. It is more pleasant to first buy a vest and mask that only stink of your own sweat. You grow faster out of your vest than out of your mask. Then gloves, trousers and stockings.
If you are already quite sure that you want to participate in “real” competitions, you immediately buy FIE equipment, possibly second-hand. Otherwise material for the holiday maker will suffice, so the 350N version.
At Porthos you can use the club’s equipment free of charge for the first six months. After that, a fee of 25 euros per year is requested.
Where can I buy fencing products?
Your own stuff
As soon as you get home with your new stuff, it’s a good idea to put your name (or other marking) there. Many fencers sometimes forget a mask, gloves or something after a competition or training. The chance that you will get the lost object back will then be much higher.
It’s pretty pointless to walk into a sporting goods store for fencing gear. Shoes or stockings still work, but nothing else. There are various suppliers of fencing products. Many suppliers have a webshop, but if you want to try on a cardigan or trousers, it is better to visit the supplier. There is also a booth at almost every match. For a competition agenda you can go to the Nahouw.
Below some possibilities.
- Escrime in Hoogeloon (Eindhoven region) also has widely used fencing equipment. Always on the JPT.
- Bart Smits in Veldhoven.
- Lieffertz
in Cologne. Appears on many competitions in the Netherlands. - Marker Fechtwelt in Münster.
- jcsportworld in Rotterdam.
- Scaramouche in Arnhem.
- Wellenreuther Fechtsport in Mannheim.
- Ducolt in Vleuten.
You can also order stuff from your maître, which mainly buys from Marker Fechtwelt and Lieffertz.
How much does that cost?
Below is a price indication in euros (in 2020).
| recreational | competition | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mask | 100 | 160-300 | |
| fencing vest | 70-90 | 130-160 | |
| undervest 800 N | 80-100 | 80-100 | |
| chest protection | 25 | 30 | |
| glove | 18-35 | 50 | |
| fencing pants | 70 | 120-160 | |
| electric vest | 150-170 | ||
| fil de corps | 25 | each | |
| fil de tete | 6 | each | |
| saber | 50 | 70-150 | each |
And maybe another screen bag to take everything with you, 30-250 euros.