Specialist equipment is required to fence safely and each of the three weapons has its own requirements specific to the discipline. Please check the British Fencing website for further details about the current minimum fencing kit safety requirements.
It is expected that fencers will acquire their own full kit in due course; in the interim the club offers a deposit scheme for the use of club kit. If you have any questions about kit, specifically what you need, please speak to your coach, a committee member or the club armourer.
Where do I start?
EFC are very fortunate to have a good relationship with Allstar Uhlmann Scotland. A 10% discount and free shipping is offered on orders placed directly with our club armourer Martin Buckley ([email protected]). There are of course several other very reputable kit providers online, and you are encouraged to shop around and check clearance lines to find the best deal for you.
There is also a strong second hand market on Facebook, Ebay and Gumtree. But we strongly advise before committing to purchase, that you check the current minimum safety standards are being met.
To keep your kit in good condition, regular washing and basic maintenance of your kit is always recommended. Our armourer can advise you on weapon care and also offers a competition ready weapon check service for a small fee, please contact him at the club for further information.
Fencing Kit Explained
Kit is broken down into fencing whites, safety equipment and electric equipment.
Foil and sabre have additional requirements for the electrical equipment.
Full Kit
It is compulsory for all fencers to have their own glove, breeches, mask, chest protector, plastron and jacket in due course. This can also be described as fencing whites plus safety equipment. Anyone attending Open Sessions will also need their own electrical equipment and weapons. Our Armourer very often has reconditioned weapons available at a significantly reduced rate, if you are interested please speak with him directly to discuss your requirements.
A single thick protective well fitting fencing glove is important to ensure your hand is protected and your grip of the weapon is secure. A loose glove can rub and irritate the hand causing blisters. Those fencing sabre will require an 800n glove with an electric lame cuff, otherwise a basic 350n non-electric glove is suitable for most beginner foilists. But if you are unsure what glove is right for you, please check with a coach or our armourer before you purchase.
Breeches are a thick protective half leg pant finishing below the knee, with suspenders to ensure they stay in place during movement. 350n breeches are suitable for most fencers and are available in child, men and women’s sizes, for a left or right handed fencer. It may be a requirement for some competitive fencers to wear 800n breeches, please check the safety standard required for your needs before purchase.
Masks are designed to protect the head and neck, it is important that they fit snugly and don’t move around when you fence. Mask requirements are different depending on your weapon, please check what mask type is suitable for your needs before you purchase.
A plastron protects the underarm and chest, and looks like a half jacket worn over the optional chest-protector, or your base-layer clothing. It comes in either 350n, 800n, and left or right handed, or is often reversible. Please check the safety standard required for your needs before purchase.
The chest-protector is a requirement for all female fencers from age 10, and is optional for males. It is a moulded plastic guard for the chest area, worn under the plastron.
The jacket is often a heavy thick protective garment available with a side or back zip. It protects the upper body and neck. They are available in 350n, 800n, child, unisex, left or right handed, and more expensive lightweight options. Please check the safety standard required for your needs before purchase.
The lame is a conductive jacket indicating the on-target area for electric fencing. It is only required in foil and sabre.
Electric wires are specific to your weapon. A body wire is required to fence, as it will attach to both your weapon and the scoring equipment that will register points and for foil and sabre it will attach to the lame. A head wire attaches the fencers mask to the lame but is only required for sabre and foil.
What else might I need?
Long socks are compulsory for all competitive fencers, and fencing socks are designed to give extra support, and padding in the shin area. However you don’t need to have specialist fencing socks, a long pair of football or hockey socks are also suitable. They must be long enough to go under your breeches so no skin is visible and stay up throughout movement.
While you can buy specific fencing shoes, indoor shoes for sports like handball or badminton are a very good option, readily available and reasonably priced. Please be aware that running trainers and Converse High Tops are not suitable for long term fencing use, due to a lack in heel cushioning.
Club Kit
We have a limited amount of club kit available, which means we can not guarantee that we will have equipment that fits everyone. Please bring your own kit if possible. Any use of club kit is done with the knowledge that it is communal and has been used by an unrestricted number of fencers, and is therefore entirely at your own risk.