I prefer getting stuff from Absolute Fencing Gear, Inc.most of the time. I like them. There is nothing on this page that I would not use myself, or would not purchase for use at my club. Other vendors also carry similar items.
Electric Epee and Body Cord
The weapons and body cords I purchase for club use are from Absolute Fencing (AF), and are good starter equipment:
- Weapon: AF Advanced Gold Electric Epee with Pistol Grip
- Size: 5 (standard). (I get size 2 for kids)
- Guard: AF Light Aluminum Epee Guard
- Point: German. Costs a little extra, but better manufacturing tolerances and more durable than others.
- Grip: AF Visconti Pistol (available in sizes XS to XL, roughly matched to glove size)
- Pad: AF plastic pad (the AF transparent pad is a nice idea for an extra $1.)
- Socket: AF Socket.
- Body cord: AF standard body cord.
Maintenance Tools
Here is the list for a pretty complete set of tools and equipment needed to maintain weapons (epee) and body cords. See attachment below for foil and epee troubleshooting guide.
Stuff you can get anywhere:
- Pliers. Just a regular pair, nothing fancy.
- Lighter. Used to burn insulation off wires.
- Scissors.
- Utility knife.
- Small screwdrivers. Best thing is to get a set of about 6 small screwdrivers (about $10) from a hardware store. One of the smaller ones will be useful for the epee tip, one of the slightly larger ones will be useful for the body cords. For tip screws, eyeglass repair screwdrivers available at the supermarket are adequate, also.
- Superglue.
- Cotton swabs
- Nail polish remover/acetone ("superglue eraser." not critical, but cheap enough to justify having around)
- A Tupperware container or small tool bag to keep all this in.
- Fine-grit sandpaper (300+ grit works well). This is just to sand the rust off weapons as necessary. A fine/medium grit sanding sponge/block is also fine, as is the more specialized polishing stone, like this one: http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/414/cPath/56?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
Stuff you'll (probably) need to get from an equipment vendor
I like Absolute Fencing (I've provided links to the items on their website). Other vendors carry similar items.
- Hex wrench. Used to tighten the nut that holds an epee together. You might be able to find these elsewhere, but I can never remember the size (6mm? 8mm?), so it's more convenient for me to get it through a vendor. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/566/cPath/56?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
- Replacement Epee wires. Get a few of these. There are French and German wires out there, and AF makes their own house brand. Get the AF house brand: they work well enough, and are the most inexpensive. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/307/cPath/35_42?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
- Replacement Epee Pressure Springs. You want German stuff. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/312/cPath/35_42?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
- Replacement Epee Contact Springs. Again, German. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/314/cPath/35_42?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
- Replacement Epee screws. Yep... German. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/313/cPath/35_42?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad
- Weapon test box. You can replace this with a multi-meter/ohm meter from Radio Shack, but this type of a test box is just a little more convenient. This is also not an immediately necessary item. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/424/cPath/56?osCsid=fef6f5c27b1c9cedbff4836c285e64ad