Saber Forum

Is there a way to protect your mouth region without going all out with a fencing mask? I have seen a video where a guy totally got one of his teeth knocked out while dueling. I have never had any close encounters with it, but still don't like risking that. Like would mouth guards work or is that mostly to avoid biting down? I am just curious to the alternatives or if it is just a unreasonable concern

Well, it's not completely unreasonable when you literally saw a guy get his teeth knocked out ;)

To protect your face while dueling without a fencing/kendo/etc. mask, I'd suggest safety goggles and a mouth guard.

The goggles are for the eyes and the mouth guard is pretty much to keep your teeth in place.

If your not going to wear a full face mask then, yeah, at least wear a mouth guard.

Yes, at least a mouth guard.

Any particular reason you don't want a fencing mask?

If it's a vision thing, you can always try a hockey helmet and cage.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Air_Force_%26_Alaska_-_Fairbanks_hockey_faceoff.JPG)

Or, instead of goggles, a hockey helmet and visor, paired with a mouth guard.
(http://www.digitaljournal.com/img/9/5/5/2/8/2/i/1/1/2/o/Kane_ear_protection.jpg)

I highly recommend a fencing mask for sparring.  There is so much more that can be damaged besides the teeth and eyes, it's just not worth the risk.  They're only about $50 (try the Absolute Fencing Epee Mask), there's basically no reason not to use one.

I do plan on eventually upgrading  my face protection, I just am not really in the position to drop another $30 right now to be honest. I just bought some decent hockey gloves last night, and I'm hoping to buy the consular this week hopefully (if it's in stock). thats honestly the main reason

I do not know in the US but here, in may/june, you can find a lot of used fencing mask on the web for few money because many peoples want to try new sport in spring and some of them stop very quickly ;)

Like others, I never fight without a mask ... too dangerous and too many potential accident ...

Don't mess around man, get a mask. The risk is way to high.

As long as the people that you're dueling aren't getting running starts and taking power hacks at your mouth or trying to turn your cheek bones into a fine powder a mouth guard and simple eye protection should be fine. There is pretty much a zero percent chance that someone will be swinging hard enough to break your teeth if you have a mouth guard in. Busted lips and bruises make you a more believable Sith. If that's the side your going for.

WEAR A MASK. preferably a fencing mask.

There is no reason not to, all the benefits vastly outweigh the cons.

even with light/ medium sparring, the blades are perfectly capable of disloging a cornea or otherwise permanently damaging an eye. teeth are arguably of a lower concern,
but why risk it? it isn't worth it.

On the flip side I will never fight anyone if they do not have at least a fencing mask on. If you damage them even lightly, you leave yourself exposed to legal ramifications. Don't let any waiver or form fool you. Even the best waivers are only good as support in a legal battle. If they push it, they can really mess up the rest of your foreseeable future. at the very least you might have to pay lawyers and court fees.

Be smart. protect yourself. Wear a mask. Encourage others to do so. We all buy several hundred dollars worth of sabers, you can afford 40$ for a fencing mask.

I may be mistaken here since I'm no expert, but looking at those hockey masks, might the cage still allow too much room for the tip of the blade to catch--or worse, slide in, depending on how force accidentally got applied to it?

The holes are way smaller in person. I suppose a blade could sneak in there, but it would be highly unlikely. There's also this:
(http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/669/898/GYI0062924739_crop_450x500.jpg?1293929239)

Definitely gives great vision and protection, but they're a bit pricey, and many players find they don't vent well(fogging up might be an issue).

Don't mess around with other options like hockey masks. Fencing masks are MADE FOR THIS and are defiantly cheap enough.

Except not everybody(me included) likes the vision out of a a fencing mask, and/or wants an actual helmet. The helmet and shield above offers a great amount of protection and vision. It's also designed to protect you from things being swung in your face.

Vision out of a fencing mask is a learned skill your brain has to get used to.
I taught fencing for a decade professionally, new fencers always complain about not being able to see.
the longer you wear the mask the more transparent it becomes. Like the way you can always see your
nose but your brain gets used to it and filters it out.
I cant even see much of a difference anymore. give it a month or two and you will feel like you are
just wearing a pair of sunglasses.

That is true ... The only issue, for me, when wearing my fencing mask, is the temperature inside it ;)

Okay, but that still doesn't change the fact that I'd feel safer with an actual helmet.

I'm just letting people know, there are other options besides a fencing mask. ;)

This is very true, and something that not everyone realizes.  It's easy to try it on and feel like your vision is impaired initially, but after a while it becomes completely unnoticeable.  I can't speak for hockey equipment, but for fencing masks you're talking about the ideal easily accessible protection method - it's designed for combat, after all.


I always wonder about comments like this - doesn't this become an issue with places of employment?  I know if I came in looking like Edward Norton's character in Fight Club, my coworkers would be pretty concerned.  I see the same arguments with hand protection (macho "bruises are badass" crap), but I sure need unbroken and undamaged hands to earn my living...

I often get bruises and such from martial arts, but when you get them on your face?  Man.  I've had every person in town looking at me like I am some poor, abused female which is the biggest irritation on the planet.  I had to explain myself multiple times to employers, and that's just when I had bruises on my wrists or arms.  The face bruises always got a LOT of eyebrow raising. 

Having been hit in the face with a saber, I can tell you that you should just wear the freakin' mask, okay.  I'm a pretty experienced swordsman and when my friend and I were sparring without masks, I still managed to get clocked in the face with a saber blade.  Thankfully, we weren't going heavy and the damage was slight, but I knew I was taking a risk.

Don't do that.

As a huge hockey fan; Black eyes, bruises, cuts, chipped teeth and the like are considered a badge of honor when you get out of high school/college, those are the last levels that typically require full face protection. After that most guys switch to visors or(for the truly brave) no face shield of any kind. It doesn't matter if the damage was a result of a high stick or a fight, you wear it with pride. (I'm only wearing a visor when I start playing, so I'll be wearing a few injuries with pride).

That means nothing, of coarse, but it explains why I have the "Eh, wear it with pride" mentality. But then I suppose if my explanation was "It's a hockey injury" that's probably good enough for most.

As for that clear shield, it's made of poly-carbonate just like the blades. It'll hold up.

I'm inclined to trust the equipment (since hockey and lacrosse gloves are pretty much standard fare for hands), I just still don't agree with the macho sports point of view.  Sure, I get bruises here and there from fencing and don't mind them at all, but excessive damage to the face will add up over time.  Broken noses stick with you - I know, my brother has looked different ever since he broke his as a kid, and still has to fix his deviated septum at some point.  When you can avoid all these things with a minor piece of equipment, I say why not.

Bonus points for fencing masks - they're actual armor, which is badass, and they're customizable!  Paint on them whatever designs you see fit.  We have a Knight that has a particularly cool design on his HEMA mask, and I've seen others that have similar designs.

For whatever reason, I'm more comfortable in a Kendo mask than a fencing one.  But they tend to be significantly more expensive.

Wear head protection.  Due to working in the optical industry I have to point out that it's almost impossible to detach a cornea (front surface of your eye), at least not without a sharp object like a knife and some specific intent. A detached retina (inner back surface of your eye) is a different matter.  I've got little dark floaty bits in my eyes from being hit in the head too many times with bokken and shinai.  I barely notice them, but I could have just as easily been blinded if a large chunk had pulled away.

I would say a fencing mask first. I just thought I'd throw another option in. It's good to have options.

Yeah thanks man i do appreciate it, I was just curious of my options. The hockey mask is definitely interesting. It should be interesting being in my back yard light saber fighting with hockey gloves and fencing/hockey mask on. I live in the suburbs and a lot of people can see into my backyard lol. I don't really mind though it's whatever

It would look a bit odd to the uninitiated. :D

The good part about the hockey mask is you have an actual helmet on. That to me makes it worth it.

I think that's the deciding factor. If you want just a mask, go with the fencing mask. If you want a helmet, go with the hockey mask. ;)

Yeah I have scoped out a interesting hockey helmet (with cage mask) that has sparked my interest. It's funny because I never thought lightsaber fighting could be so dangerous until I was sitting at school the next day realizing my hand was incredibly bruised and actually swollen in some areas. Then next time I dueled got hit in the hand then when I looked down blood was literally dripping from m knuckles lol. Still enjoy it quite a bit though, just need to be more prepared and try not to duel before the protection comes in...

Props for you, for noticing early the importance of gear!  It really does make life easier.  If nothing else, you won't be staining your clothes with blood (honestly, I've had it happen with fencing stuff... major pain in the butt).

Motocross armor is nice for torso protection, just FYI.

For the folks that don't already know, a fencing mask protects the whole head not just the face. Anything but a strike to the base of the skull will be safe. They even offer a fait bit of throat protection you won't get from a hockey helmet. 

  Thanks for the idea of the hockey mask ---  it would have to be a direct jab at the face for an insert.  since we are dueling as recreation i hope this is enough protection.  thanks --- points for you