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Suppliers

Brick-and-mortar fencing stores are few and far between in New England. Fortunately, there are a number of online suppliers of fencing equipment. Though we provide loaner gear to anyone who wants to fence, fencers are encouraged to eventually get their own gear. Not only does this mean you'll have something that's best suited to you, but you'll also be able to wash it regularly!

Some brief advice about buying fencing gear:

  • You'll have most of this gear for years. Consider whether spending a few extra bucks (or even a couple hundred extra bucks) now is worth having something of higher quality for your entire fencing career.
  • Fencing gear is highly personalized. What works for other people may not work for you. The best thing to do is try out a number of different things and find out what you're the most comfortable with. This goes for masks, blades, and armor.
  • Don't be shy about asking people about their own gear. They may have some innovation that you won't find in something off the rack.
  • Before you buy any equipment, if you are at all unsure of whether it is legal in the East Kingdom, ask your local fencing marshal.

    The following are some online merchants that we have used, who have web sites:

      Darkwood Armory

      Darkwood provites authentic, hand-forged rapiers and armor that will last forever. Almost exclusively heavy-rapier oriented. They have a limited selection of high-quality clothing and accessories.

      Syke's Sutlering

      Supplier of fencing equipment, muskets, cannon, ironmongery, manuals, clothing; from 15th-17th century. We recommend against his goatskin gloves for rigorous fencing. They carry heavy rapiers with their own guards and Hanwei blades.

      Gipsy Peddler

      Supplier of SCA-legal fencing armor and accessories. If you don't want to sew that fencing doublet yourself, but don't want to wear a modern fencing jacket, this is the place for you.

      Popinjay's

      Custom guards for both heavy and light rapier. Check out the web site for ideas.

      Leon Paul USA

      One of our favorite suppliers of quality modern gear, including sheet steel epees and high-end masks. They also now carry SCA-legal heavy rapiers.

      Zen Warrior Armory (formerly Triplette Competition Arms)

      They provide a complete line of SCA-oriented equipment for both heavy and light rapiers, including sets of gear for new fencers.

      American Fencing Supply

      AFS has two catalogs: USFA fencing equipment and "The Armory," which sells theatrical blades (schlaegers and canalures) and reproduction weapons.

    Other Suppliers

      James "The Just"
      1-928-680-1176
      jamesthejust @ citlink.net
      Erin Potts / Proprietor
      Amazonia Enterprises
      1950 North Pima Drive
      Lake Havasu City AZ 86403

      Will be moving to Globe AZ soonish, but do we not yet have the new address. Better quality then Triplette at almost the same price, and prettier, but not as pretty as Darkwood. Offers a lifetime guarantee on their work and welds, which Triplette does not. Most pieces are welded stock, not forged and formed.

      Alchem Incorporated Fencing Equipment
      314 East 195th St.
      Euclid, Ohio 44119
      alchem@en.com

      Just about the cheapest weapons you can get. Hilts are riveted, not welded. All pieces are CNC laser cut in batches from light plate, so no custom work. Their blades are pressed and chemical tempered sheet steel, and have a lifetime. Not a lifetime guaranty, but a lifetime until breakage. They will eventually break, and most people that own their blades expect to replace them every few years. Not quite period designs, but nice to look at. They offer a couple weapons that no one else does, such as an 8 foot fencing pike.

      TherionArms
      P.O. Box 187
      Del Valle, TX 78617
      therion@therionarms.com
      (512) 247-3578

      Distributer of Paul Chen/Hanwei but keeps a larger selection of their items in stock then Syke's Sutlering.

    Finally, you can find a comprehensive list of fencing suppliers at:
    http://directory.google.com/Top/Shopping/Sports/Fencing/

    Note: France Lame epées purchased after 1 January 1998 are banned in the East Kingdom as of 10 August 1998.