Saber Forum

I've been able to keep things calm and safe so fa but last night all my rowdy freinds came over and things got interesting. Nobody got hurt ... yet ... but I can see it happening easily and soon any body got ideas on cheap full face gaurds that are easy to wear and put on /take off?  Don't care realy what they look like. Just need to keep eyes and teeth where they were at start of evening.

Thanks y'all

Oh yeah I know its not the smartest thing but did I mention drunk, guys, lightsabers ;D ;D these things happen its the will of the force ... lol

Yeah - I really wouldn't mix alcohol and what are for all intents and purposes weapons.  Legal/insurance stuff would be nightmarish if something WERE to happen.

I'd try looking for a fencing mask or a kendo mask, possibly with mouth guards as well.  If you're ending up going full force with alcohol-fueled strength... 

Not going full force im not quite that crazy ... just a lil wobbly on the aim and controll

Was thinking something like a paintball mask or similar

There's some cool looking airsoft masks too.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=airsoft+masks (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=airsoft+masks)

those will not stop a blow... their like flimsy paintbll gogs and i would be leary to use those also.  there are some full face army of one style ones on ebay that might work since their like hockey plastic

Thanks, Temple - I was leery about recommending something that wasn't specifically designed for blunt force impact, and while an Airsoft mask might protect your eyes and face from Airsoft pellet impacts, you'd really need something that could basically take the force a baseball bat could dish out...  you need something that's going to protect the whole head from something like that.

look at your local martial arts store or sports store for used gear. Or better yet craigslist. I have padded headgear with a facesheild from martial arts that would work lol but im not looking forward to using it as it wojld look like a large black marshmellow on my noggin, I figure i would modify something personally for myself

Thanks for all ur advice guys I was trying to cheap out but y'all are right gotta pony up the dough and get the good gear.

Hmmm that and issue a bit of control for the things that cost nothing...foresight.

1. No drinking and dueling

:)

As for the masks...I would look into used/surplus lacrosse masks...they are made to absorb full contact hits to the melon and will protect your headlights and grill

http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/dydx7.4mnbx/v/vspfiles/photos/LHL-CAS-CPXRC-2.jpg?1328698063 (http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/dydx7.4mnbx/v/vspfiles/photos/LHL-CAS-CPXRC-2.jpg?1328698063)

I guess it comes down to how much your head is worth.  If you've got a cheap head, get cheap headgear.

Otherwise, a Kendo Men (face protector) is good if you don't do thrusting.  A sabre point will slip right between the bars, if you do.

If you do thrusting, check out three-weapon fencing masks... you can pick one up for less than a hundred clams.

In either case, you might also want to find a pattern for a padded coif, if you want to do something about absorbing impact.

All good points as usual Jenny!

For a fencing mask, you can go with an epee mask... save yourself some money (foil and sabre masks both have wiring in them now, which will be useless to you).  The non-FIE models (which would work fine) are around $50 I believe.

Good to know Master Attoru, I have only done fencing outside the formal community so I always borrowed gear and we never used the electronic scoring system.


Now, mind you I haven't actually started development, but I am working on Jedi and Sith style protective gear specifically designed for the duelist by the duelist.

Willing to pay materials and guinea pig for ya!!!

I would assume you only need head and hand maybe wrst gear.
Hey Master Nero, how is the visibility in the fencing masks?
i remember from the past using them that visibiliy is flightly obscured

It's good. I've done some fencing and the masks seem like they should be troublesome, but they really aren't.

Yeah I mean, it's a little funny at first to be honest.  Once you get used to them though, you can see just fine... although keep in mind they're designed with only one-dimensional combat in mind, so your peripherals (as well as protection on the back of your head) are limited.

i was thinking of modifying one of the sports helms earlier with a hockey eye sheild to get the highest visibility

Something along these lines?

(http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/images/Transparent-FIE-Sabre-Mask.jpg)

Btw I wouldn't even consider getting one of those things for casual dueling... they're pretty pricey to say the least!

Looks good but what is it?

No like that white street hockey  or other sport helm someone posted with the wire grill and adding a half face sheild

It's a sabre mask, one of the visored ones.  They tend to be about $300 minimum.

Ouch that's pricey ... looks like it works good tho
Any thoughts ondown the hockey helmets temple mentioned?

(http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/dydx7.4mnbx/v/vspfiles/photos/LHL-CAS-CPXRC-2.jpg?1328698063)

This was posted earlier in the thread. I figure you could add a hockey style clear half eye gaurd

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/spo/2885982493.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/spo/2885982493.html)

How many people would be interested in gear designed to look in universe and provide protection for the duelist? I'm planning to make it credible for full contact sparring. This has been something I've been designing for a couple of years now, I've just never had anyone bite on it. That being said I may be starting prototype designs and testing within the month.

lets see some sketches

I'll have to post them on Wedensday when I get over to the workshop, or I can just re draw them... lol depends on how busy I am, but I will get some rough sketches up... I can tell you this, the armor will likely be plated style kind of like Cade Skywalker's chest armor, and I am working right now on designing finger protection and what not. So it will be something that will protect most all of your body... at least all the important areas that frequently get injured while sparring with sabers.

A lot of this is touch and go, it's been in my head for a couple of years now, and I'm just finally getting around to actually designing a prototype set. I've posted this on a few different forums and people don't seem to be interested, so I haven't been really motivated tsonal design made upo actually do it yet.

That being said, I do have my own personal design drawn up. So once my partner and I get it built we are going to see what it takes to wreck it; so either the armor will break or I will.

I cant think of any other face protection besides a fencing mask or a paintball mask.

But may I suggest super glue or duct tape around the saber and your hands so you don't throw your saber in a fit of drunken rage?  :D

That's not much of a problem I have just enough sith leaning that the madder I get the more firm my grip on my lightsaber...and the more armor my opponents need...thus this thread..lol

Here are a few more
http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Headgear/Ronin_Headgear.aspx (http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Headgear/Ronin_Headgear.aspx) , http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Headgear/P2_Full_Face_Headgear.aspx (http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Headgear/P2_Full_Face_Headgear.aspx) , http://www.awma.com/productdetail/2508-proforce-thunder-padded-combat-head-guard-w-face-cage.html (http://www.awma.com/productdetail/2508-proforce-thunder-padded-combat-head-guard-w-face-cage.html)  But as already said, how much is your head worth?

Have one of those :)

(http://www.centurymartialarts.com/portals/0/Images/Products/11486-LG.JPG)

That looks good. I wonder how sturdy the mask/grills are.

It depends.  If you're going to do full-contact, full-force sparring with polycarbonate blades, I recommend as a minimum head, hands, throat, kidney, elbow, and knee protection of a hard, impact-dispersing substance such as HDPE or steel, with padding behind.
 

I'm not Master Nero, but my experience is that peripheral vision is somewhat diminished, which isn't a problem in Olympic style fencing, because your opponent is always right in front of you, anyway.  In Rapier style fencing, you have to be aware of it, and compensate by keeping your situational awareness up.

There are several used fencing masks, suitable for saber with full vision potential on the E of bay...quick google will reveal all.....$50-75 average, good luck with your hunting.

Good advice.  I never go full force and typically duel with Artorius, so we forego that level of protection... but it's DEFINITELY better to be safe than sorry here.


Also a good point.  The things are designed for one-dimensional combat, up and down a strip.  It's just you and the opponent, with limited lateral movement.  Of course, if you're in a situation where you need that kind of peripheral vision, the fencing mask isn't as ideal anyway... the thing has little protection on the back (once again, not designed for attacks from the side or back).

I concur.  For general mele, of the available options, I think the hockey helmet linked above is the best bet... but again, it _will not_ protect against thrusts.  The point of a polycarbonate blade will go right through that grille.

Yeah exactly.  You go with one option to protect against strikes, you lose the thrust protection.  It's a tough call.

The fencing mask will give you fine protection against thrusts and strikes from the front, and overall unless you're fighting multiple opponents you should be facing your adversary anyway.  IMO that's a pretty decent choice for head protection.

Someone should just make a formal dueling handbook like the SCA and those other Clubs

That would require... organization!  Yikes!

Holy roasted goatflesh batman....

Seriously, I'm not qualified as an instructor in Kendo or Shinkendo, the actual sword arts I practice, and I never earned my knighthood in the SCA.  So if I'm not qualified to instruct at that level in actual martial arts, how could I arrogate myself the right to come up with a handbook?

It is now, as it generally is, my advice that if someone wants to learn about lightsabre combat, they should find an established martial art and a qualified teacher, and learn about sword arts.  Some choices include Kendo, Kenjutsu, Shinkendo, Kumdo, Tai Chi... someone in your area is doing sword forms.  Find them.  Enroll.  Learn.

And I'll go on tossing out suggestions from time to time to help keep those who disregard that path at least marginally safe.

Formal training is definitely a recommendation.  While every style of swordsmanship is different (mainly due to the different types of swords and their functionality), from what I've seen each of them teaches you the core concepts you need for lightsaber combat.

From my own background, fencing is a pretty good option to start out with (especially if you have trouble locating a nearby dojo to learn one of the aforementioned martial arts at).  Instruction is pretty commonly available - if not at a club then at the local YMCA or whatever - and it definitely gets you familiar with the essentials.  Plus it's great exercise!

Agreed!

Fencing is a great place to start the sword technique process...one of the few official options other than a niche within a martial arts program or with the SCA...with the established structure you can learn so much quickly that would escape most folks on their own, best to have something to work with than guess about.

The added bonus is the high probability of access to used equipment and potential for light saber sparring program...hopefully an instructor or two  :)