Buying vs. Borrowing Fencing Equipment

Video Transcript

Let's talk about whether or not--whether you want to borrow your equipment or buy your equipment. Both are valid options along the way. In the beginning, I really recommend that you do borrow. That you, if you're fencing at club, they usually have a lot of equipment available, and borrowing is good not just because you're not necessarily going to want to make as big of an investment in the beginning, but more-so so you get a chance to sample everything. You can try to get a feel for what size jacket works for you the best, whether a back-zipped jacket is going to work for you, or you're going to need a side-zip. What your favorite glove looks like, or what sort of plastering you like to work with, so it's not a bad idea. After awhile, however, borrowing gets old because the fencing gear gets a lot of wear. We work hard, so, sometimes you don't necessarily want to use something that seven or other people have used that evening, and also if someone else is using your favorite glove and you don't get it that night, if you're spending a great deal of your time fencing, it really soon becomes worth the investment to get some of your own equipment. It is possible to buy in a store. It's very difficult to find fencing gear in a sporting goods store, though, so finding a good resource for fencing equipment, for quality fencing equipment, can become a little frustrating. You can usually get--you can usually purchase from a school or a club or a fencing gym, if you look what's around in the community. It's not a bad way to go because you do get to handle what you're buying before you buy it, but the selection can be limited, and you have to deal with the markups that usually accompany a limited selection. Most of the fencers I know buy online. I buy myself online. I usually, I would recommend that you find a resource that has a good variety, that has a reasonable price range. Not just that the prices are fair, but that you have good beginners equipment, and it also has a range up into some quality stuff that's going to last you a long time. Customer service is important, just because if you're not sure about what you're looking for, if you ask them to select a foil for you that has the characteristics you like, or help you out as a left-handed fencer making sure that you have all the right gear--return policies and things like that. I use fencing.net. I like their products, and I can easily find information about all the gear I'm buying, and they have a good range--a good selection of products. So, when you do buy online, feel free to ask questions. I would definitely recommend that if you're not sure about anything, that you ask, and if you get something that's not what you expected, that you send it back. But if you ask enough questions you never have to worry about that. Also, of course, educating yourself on what it is that you need. On what sort of regulations you need to fulfill, and what you prefer in your fencing gear will help you a lot. So, we'll talk about that next.

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