Required Equipment

All fencers will need the following:

Jacket
Knickers
Standard 3-weapon mask
2 Standard (#5) electric epee blades
2 Standard epee body cords
Glove
Plastron/underarm protector (required for both men and women)
Ladies' plastic chest protector (required for women)
Fencers will also need one black sock and one red sock, and the AHS uniform patch (both provided by the club). Socks must be long enough to fit under the bottom of the knickers. For safety, USFA regulations say no skin on the leg can be exposed while fencing epee, since legs are part of the target area.
Fencing bag, usually included if you order a beginner’s set.

What to look for

Mask: The mask should fit comfortably and be neither too loose or too tight. The bib must be sewn to the mask.

Uniform: The uniform consists of the jacket and knickers (pants). A form-fitting uniform looks better than a baggy, generically sized uniform. Jackets may come with a zipper in the back (to accommodate the left- or right-handed fencer) or the zipper may be in the front. It is suggested that you purchase a front-zip jacket. When ordering a front-zip jacket specify whether you are left-handed or right-handed, as the zipper is on the opposite side for each. When purchasing your uniform, look for a material (cotton) that offers protection and durability.

Electric Epee: Blades come in different lengths. You want a #5 (35") blade. This is what you will usually receive, unless you specify otherwise. Specify whether you are right- or left-handed. There are a number of manufacturers that produce the electric points on the blades. A French grip offers more reach with less point control while a pistol grip offers more control while sacrificing an inch or two of reach. Order the grip that you feel most comfortable with. Your coach can help you decide as well.

You are welcome to order from any company. Our club is not compensated by and not affiliated with any company.

If you are interested in ordering equipment/uniform from Absolute Fencing, see Coach Henry.

Our club has negotiated a special price with VA Fencing Gear for our members. If you choose to go with VA Fencing Gear, please have the below information ready. Use team code RAIDERS for 15% off epee gear. For full sets, contact Elya at vafencinggear@gmail.com to inquire.

Name:

Height:

Women’s uniform/ men’s uniform? 

Jacket:

Pants: 

Mask: S, M, L? 

Glove: 

Bag color? Red or black 

Underarm: S, M ,L? 

Chest protector: S, M ,L? 

Grip: Pistol or French grip 

Left- or right-handed?

Here are some guidelines for sizing:

Jacket: Measure the chest and add 6 inches for size

Pants: Measure the waist for actual size

Glove: Measure around your palm (excluding your thumb) and add 0.5". That is your size

For the weapon: Please indicate "French Handle" or "Pistol Grip"

Using the sizes of the jacket and glove, they should know the size of the mask.

This FIE document describes in great detail the specifications for fencing equipment (weapons, uniforms, masks, gloves, wires, etc.). Other official FIE documents are at https://fie.org/fie/documents/rules

Visit your local tailor or dry cleaner for help with sewing patches onto uniforms.