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Author Topic: Protection Gear  (Read 13938 times)
Jabari
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« Reply #30 on: September 05, 2019, 10:15:14 PM »

I've sparred with no gear.  While yes, it can be done, I ended up getting lacrosse gloves because your hands are most likely to get hit.  And my sparring partner tended to get a little too into it, which leads to some awkward form when you're constantly dodging to keep your face out of danger.  Accidents happen, even if you agree no head shots!

THAT SAID, I won't spar without gear anymore.  I would say the absolute minimum is gloves and a fencing mask (which, really, is your face not worth more than $60?  It'll sure cost more than that to repair it if you get hit, and nobody wants to lose an eye or teeth.  Save up if you have to, but get a proper fencing mask!)   I've been able to borrow a fencing mask from a friend, and it definitely made me a more confident fighter, as I'm no longer afraid of a blow to the head.

For body armor: motocross jackets are better than nothing, and a cheap way to start, but they have some big flaws.  There's no inner arm protection, and because of the zipper, they have no sternum protection.  And they're surprisingly hot.  I've used one a couple of times, and ended up upgrading to hockey pads (which you can find used pretty easily, I suggest Play It Again Sports if you have one nearby).  Motocross jackets are not legal for Saber Legion competitions due to the lack of sternum protection (but you can wear them for sparring/practice, or get a fencing chest protector to go over them).  Hockey pads (despite what that video says) can absolutely be painted and customized, and mine cover the inner bicep, which is a place I was constantly getting stabbed while wearing the moto jacket.

Knee pads are also good idea.  While nobody should be aiming for your knees, they do get hit on the backswing.  I've been using motocross combination knee/shin guards, which are nice because they have good range of movement and stay in place.  Hockey pads are too stiff.

Elbows and Forearms: You can get combination elbow and forearm pads made for hockey/lacrosse/motocross/soccer, etc.   I have a small pair of lacrosse elbow pads, but may upgrade to larger hockey pads in the future.  Nothing I've found covers the inner arm very well except for HEMA fencing gauntlets though, so it depends on your preference.

I'd say the above is basic gear.  If you're going to do competitions, like Saber Legion, you'll also need thigh, hip, stomach, groin, spine, back of the head, and throat protection.  Again, this is often hockey or fencing gear, but can vary.   I know someone who uses a baseball umpire stomach pad, for example.


As to "more gear = harder hits" - it can, but it shouldn't, if you're actually attempting to be a good martial artist instead of just whacking people.  The local Saber Legion group has a person who tends to hit too hard, and working on chaining moves (so, instead of just one hit and done, do two or more moves at once - block then hit, etc) got him to back off, because you can't hit full force if you immediately have to follow it up with a second move.  Which made everyone a better fighter, and him less likely to hurt someone.   (Saber Legion also discourages full-force hits, because if you were using a real lightsaber, you wouldn't need a very hard hit to cause damage.  And it's more fun for everyone involved.  You only need to touch to score.)

As I said before, wearing a helmet made me a lot more confident, and it freed me up to concentrate on technique - everything from footwork/balance to saber handling.  And it's more fun to not have to worry about hurting yourself or others.  If you're sparring, or doing anything other than practiced choreography, at least get a helmet and gloves!
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MercuryKungFu
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« Reply #31 on: November 01, 2019, 03:15:38 AM »

https://www.goaliemonkey.com/catalog/product/view/id/259618?msclkid=39086843a67a1a0687f735f8050d7a7d&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BSB%5D%20GoalieMonkey%20Bing%3A%20Shopping%20-%20US&utm_term=4582489589950527&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231



There’s an image of a good mask to spar with. It’s twice as less expensive on Bauer’s original website
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Cyclops942
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« Reply #32 on: November 01, 2019, 07:05:50 PM »

Ummm... those holes in the facial area of the mask look PLENTY big enough to allow a 1" light saber blade to poke through.  Are you sure this is suitable protection?
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MercuryKungFu
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« Reply #33 on: November 02, 2019, 05:22:45 AM »

Ummm... those holes in the facial area of the mask look PLENTY big enough to allow a 1" light saber blade to poke through.  Are you sure this is suitable protection?

If it’s a kendo game the face won’t score a point. Perhaps it isn’t for European fencing.
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Cyclops942
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« Reply #34 on: November 02, 2019, 11:26:56 PM »

If it’s a kendo game the face won’t score a point. Perhaps it isn’t for European fencing.
I was thinking of accidents more than point opportunities.


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chalion
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« Reply #35 on: November 03, 2019, 01:56:53 AM »

I see where Cyclops942 is getting at: They're thinking of ad-hoc duels and such, not structured matches or choreographed fights.

Fencing masks are good for touch contact that epee fights work with, but lightsaber duels are more like getting attacked with a pipe or baseball bat, so padded protection is much better, where the blade would normally not be used to poke at the face in a thrust.
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Sakura No Kaze
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« Reply #36 on: November 03, 2019, 03:22:23 AM »

*sigh* one day...

This is what I found, on the first page out of five pages of results, for this sub-forum alone:

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=37330.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=16332.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=26522.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=25498.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=5502.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6811.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=28420.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=23691.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=30404.0

I'm looking for a specific video on why paintball/airsoft masks don't offer enough protection, but I haven't found it yet. However, in my search for that, I also found the following:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=41349.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6957.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=7587.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=13753.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21838.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=28420.0

A really good video on safety gear: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=7983.0

And a few more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_USHfFntbJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4zwLtj5fiU

And I found the video I was looking for. Well, one of them anyway. I think there are one or two more on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO37kURnnac

And the obligatory "what happens when you don't wear protective gear" thread: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4890.0


And these people have a rediculous amount of information about everything lightsaber combat related: https://sites.google.com/site/terraprimelightsaberacademy/

Here's a direct link to their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN3IsywwpbvOMkkCD2TFMAA
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Master Seblaise
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« Reply #37 on: November 04, 2019, 12:32:32 PM »

It is something we will never say enough: "Stay safe"

Protection gear are important for all the reasons that have been already discussed here.

Also, when sparring, try to establish some safety rules like a "safe word" to stop the assault if needed: I have seen many accidents occurring when one of the duelist stop his/her assault (because of a problem) while the other one is not aware and give a last blow ...


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Jabari
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« Reply #38 on: November 05, 2019, 06:44:54 AM »

I see where Cyclops942 is getting at: They're thinking of ad-hoc duels and such, not structured matches or choreographed fights.

Fencing masks are good for touch contact that epee fights work with, but lightsaber duels are more like getting attacked with a pipe or baseball bat, so padded protection is much better, where the blade would normally not be used to poke at the face in a thrust.

As long as you get a HEMA approved fencing mask, they will protect your head just fine from both blows and stabs.  HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) includes actual metal sabers and other swords than just epee/rapier, they're designed for strong hits. The mesh looks thin, but is strong. Most have some built in neck protection, and depending on the style may have extra side or back of head padding, too.

Because yeah, you're trying to prevent accidents.  Blades can go in any direction, you don't want a big hole leaving your eyes vulnerable.
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Master Seblaise
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« Reply #39 on: November 05, 2019, 07:50:23 AM »

This is what I personally consider as the minimum of protection for a full speed (but controlled power) duel.



If you want to duel without controlling your power, you need stronger pieces of armor
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Jabari
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« Reply #40 on: November 06, 2019, 04:36:59 AM »

All of these helmets (except the plastic one) will work for lightsaber combat.  You can also get extra padding to go over the top of the helmet, and/or gel padded caps to wear underneath for more protection.  I've been using the Basic mask with no extra padding for Saber Legion, with no problems: https://www.woodenswords.com/HEMA_Masks_s/1924.htm
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Master Seblaise
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« Reply #41 on: November 06, 2019, 08:28:21 AM »

All of these helmets (except the plastic one) will work for lightsaber combat.  You can also get extra padding to go over the top of the helmet, and/or gel padded caps to wear underneath for more protection.  I've been using the Basic mask with no extra padding for Saber Legion, with no problems: https://www.woodenswords.com/HEMA_Masks_s/1924.htm
The mask on my pic is the first and basic one. I just had some tissus around it to avoid the "bell effect"

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Tai Chi Chuan Wijchen
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« Reply #42 on: November 08, 2019, 02:09:02 PM »

Does anybody have some experience with (safety)goggles like these?


First off: I will eventually upgrade to fencingmasks, especially when it's time for heavy dualling.
Secondly, yes I'm usually the first to say one needs a fencing mask.

But for now I want to focus on some light sparring, mostly some basic techniques, different single strikes and parries trained with a partner. Level of intensity is low enough that the hands are safe, so no real gloves needed. But knowing my students, there are a few of them who might get a bit more enthousiatic and I want to have a little precaution to keep the eyes safe. So I wondered if these skimask-like safety goggles might be something?

Thanks in advance.
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« Reply #43 on: November 09, 2019, 12:09:10 AM »

Yes, although not in the context of lightsaber combat. However, I am familiar with Safety glasses/goggles in general and the abuse they are made to withstand.

Provided they're fit correctly, i.e. the strap is tightened so they fit snuggly, the ones in your picture will protect your eyes just fine. The eye shield is actually made of the same polycarbonate material (or possibly acrylic, although that company usually uses poly) as your US saber blades. You'd have to flip the saber around and hit the googles with the hilt before you could even put a mark in them. They'll certainly prevent an accidental poke in the eye (although you'd still have to deal with the force of the saber thrusting into your face).

As long as the goggles are safety rated, they should be fine. Safety rated goggles will have Z87.1, Z87.1+, or Z87.1-2015 somewhere easily noticeable on them (Z87.1 being the American National Standards Institute Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices). You can get them at pretty much any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. (I'm 99% sure the goggles in your picture are Z87.1 rated, mostly because those are the only kind of glasses/goggles that Uvex makes.)

Note: While ski goggles may look the same, they are very rarely Z87.1 safety rated. Most sport goggles are only ASTM rated, which means they'll protect you more than a normal pair of glasses, but not as well as Z87.1 safety glasses. Just get the safety rated goggles and you'll be fine.
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Cyclops942
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« Reply #44 on: November 09, 2019, 01:49:45 PM »

As long as the goggles are safety rated, they should be fine. Safety rated goggles will have Z87.1, Z87.1+, or Z87.1-2015 somewhere easily noticeable on them (Z87.1 being the American National Standards Institute Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices). You can get them at pretty much any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. (I'm 99% sure the goggles in your picture are Z87.1 rated, mostly because those are the only kind of glasses/goggles that Uvex makes.)

Note: While ski goggles may look the same, they are very rarely Z87.1 safety rated. Most sport goggles are only ASTM rated, which means they'll protect you more than a normal pair of glasses, but not as well as Z87.1 safety glasses. Just get the safety rated goggles and you'll be fine.

Yes, yes, yes!  Safety first! 

Thanks for the good info, including the part about proper fit!
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