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Need Equipment?

Although membership allows you to utilize club equipment (non-members can rent it for $5), at some point you'll probably want to buy your own gear. This is especially true if you are interested in competing in the USFA (see below for equipment lists). We try to stock some of the more essential equipment for sale at the club. Check out our inventory next time you're in:

• clothing (masks, jackets, underarm protectors, knickers, and gloves)

• lamés and body cords

• weapons (practice and electric)

• accesories/parts for weapon maintenance

• Presidio Fencing Club T-Shirts

Or you might prefer to purchase your equipment directly from the vendor. Although there are a lot of vendors online, we tend to use these three. If their catalogues seem confusing, we will be happy to make recommendations on brands and types of equipment according to your needs.

Absolute Fencing Gear - www.absolutefencinggear.com

The Fencing Post - www.thefencingpost.com

Leon Paul - www.leonpaulusa.com

What to buy (and estimated costs):

Most fencers tend to pick up their equipment and assemble their arsenal one or two items at a time. For that reason, I tried to list equipment in order of importance. I put an electrical weapon first because owning one is necessary to participate at Open Fencing. Please contact us for specifications on what type of weapon to buy. Prices shown are estimates and reflect both the low and the high-end of what is available at the sites listed above. Obviously, those new to the sport should consider the cheaper equipment (especially those younger fencers who seem to outgrow their clothes every other month). In most cases, though, the more expensive items do last longer.

1. Electric Foil (or epee): $40 -- $150

2. Mask: $55 -- $200

3. Jacket: $45 -- $200

4. Glove for weapon-hand: $12 -- $20

5. Underarm protector and Chest Plate: $25/each

6. Body cords: $15 -- $40

7. Electrical Jacket (Lamé): $40 -- $150

8. Fencing Shoes (or indoor court shoes): $50 -- $200

9. Fencing Pants (Knickers): $45 -- $200

10. A bag to carry everything: $20 -- $80

11. More weapons and body cords (most fencers have at least three of each)

12. A toolkit (see below)

Toolkits:

Every competitive fencer needs to know how to work on his or her weapons. Here is a list of some tools you will need:

1. set of small screwdrivers (find at any hardware store)

2. foil or epee weight

3. test box

4. 6mm hex wrench

5. 7mm and 8mm open face wrenches for sockets

6. slightly larger flat-head screwdriver

7. small crescent wrench

8. needle nose pliers

9. wire strippers

10. small Vise Grip or locking pliers

11. miscellaneous parts: extra wires, lock washers, tip tape, tips, barrels, screws, springs, etc.