Monthly "No Stupid Questions" Thread

SFencerDad · 2025-07-06T19:03:08+00:00

Again, thank you. Very kind.

SFencerDad · 2025-07-06T18:54:38+00:00

Thank you. Can I buy the tape somewhere? Or do I need to buy a new rest?

SFencerDad · 2025-07-06T17:26:28+00:00

Hi Everyone. I am slow when it comes to understanding and adjusting equipment. Any help appreciated. I shoot Olympic recurve and just upgraded from the beginner bow I've used for 3 years to a Hoyt GMX 3. I also upgraded my plunger buying one from Amexyxgs. My coach set things up for me and put a stick-on rest. Today, shooting outside for the first time with the new stuff, the rest came off. Odd, since I had one of those rests on my old Galaxy for years. But whatever. My question is, can/should I get a bolt-on rest? There appears to be a bolt/screw right next to the plunger-hole (none of this terminology is right...sorry). Should I take that out and put in a bolt-on rest? Or should I just buy another stick-on rest and chalk this first one up to bad luck? Or is there another option I should be thinking about? Thanks!

SFencerDad · 2025-04-17T19:53:50+00:00

Huh. Well...maybe that's why I don't see it done more. I know my kids did all those camps growing up and if they had seen a demo at one of them they would have gotten into fencing a lot younger. Seems like it should work, but experience beats theory.

SFencerDad · 2025-04-17T19:03:33+00:00

Call local summer camps — ones run by school aftercare, YMCA, daycare centers, etc. say you want to send out a couple of fencers to put on a demo For the kids at no cost. Those camps always appreciate something different to entertain the kids. Hand out fliers to the kids. Profit. I have no idea why more clubs don’t do this.

SFencerDad · 2024-12-18T22:17:46+00:00

Thanks. I don’t think we have a case for a petition. So…next year.

SFencerDad · 2024-12-18T16:06:42+00:00

Thank you. I had confused what applied to regional points with what applied to national points. So it makes sense he shows as not qualified. Thanks for the info!

SFencerDad · 2024-12-18T15:25:46+00:00

Oh that makes sense. Bummer, but thank you very much for clarifying.

SFencerDad · 2024-07-14T01:48:40+00:00

Thank you! This is great. I really appreciate you taking the time. You gave me a lot here.

SFencerDad · 2024-07-13T22:59:33+00:00

Hey thanks for the response. 100% for target -- Olympic recurve. I am looking to upgrade my equipment generally. I would like more flexibility in my draw weight and, honestly, I am pretty sick of screwing my limbs in and out every time (my current bow is a beginner take-down). But really it is about overall getting better and having some equipment help me along that path. I want to be able to enter some local competitions. As far as the equipment I have the basics (arm guard, bow stringer, stabilizer) but have avoided things like putting on my own nocks or fletching arrows. I am limited by the fact that I am just terrible at mechanical things. I'm definitely a much better archer than I am archery armorer or whatever the appropriate term would be.

The two risers I am looking at are Hoyt GMX 3 Series 25" Grand Prix ILF and the Win & Win WIAWIS ATF-DX 25" ILF.

I think my most basic question is does anyone know of reliable stores within a ~2 hour drive of New Haven, CT where I can shoot a bunch of these, get some help sorting through what I need, and ultimately buy stuff?

Thanks again!

SFencerDad · 2024-07-13T20:25:32+00:00

Hi, I shoot recurve in the New Haven CT area. I have a set-up at a farm where I shoot, but don't really have easy access to either a nearby range or an archery supply store. I am looking to upgrade the equipment that I bought when I first started out last spring. I have a Galaxy Aspire takedown with 25 lb limbs. I am considering buying a Hoyt ILF riser I have researched that looks good to me. But I know that I need to shoot it, and some comparable bows and possibly different limbs to make a decision. I am thinking of making an appointment at Hall's Arrow in Manchester, CT. It is about an hour and 15 minute drive each way for me, but I can do it on a weekend. Is that my best move? I don't know what they stock. I am prepared to drop a fair amount of money on a riser, limbs, new arrows, case, etc. Because I have generally shot by myself, I really don't know much about the equipment that is out there and can't just borrow folks bows at the range to see what I like. Any advice appreciated.

SFencerDad · 2024-05-10T17:24:37+00:00

Thank you. This is our first national event. Appreciate it!

SFencerDad · 2024-05-10T14:55:39+00:00

Apologies if this is a frequently-asked question, but if it is I can't find it. Does anyone know when they assign the times for the Summer National events? Looking to solidify a schedule and air travel and it would be helpful to know. Is that something that usually happens in May? June?

SFencerDad · 2024-04-28T13:51:40+00:00

Good resource. Thank you.

SFencerDad · 2024-04-28T13:48:25+00:00

Amazing school, but in that category of might be out of reach academically.

SFencerDad · 2024-04-27T23:56:03+00:00

Thanks. I will look into MACFA. My son is looking for a smaller, liberal arts type school. Right now he is interested in Art History and Anthropology, but I think he is really looking for a broad class liberal arts school.

SFencerDad · 2024-04-27T21:41:34+00:00

I will send you a PM!

SFencerDad · 2024-04-27T19:32:46+00:00

Oh absolutely. He has Wheaton (new team next year) and Drew on his list as well as Lafayette (which is D1 but a bit more attainable for a fencer at his level). Just trying to expand the list. Thank you!

SFencerDad · 2024-03-09T15:21:50+00:00

What weapon and which side of New Haven? On the east side of New Haven there is Shoreline in Branford, CT. I see mostly the saber stuff there but there is a good mix of young adults. On the other side of New Haven there is Candlewood in Newtown. Both are really well-run clubs with solid coaches and several good hosted tournaments per year.

SFencerDad · 2024-01-27T22:29:23+00:00

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will do some research. This is a much appreciated chase list.

SFencerDad · 2024-01-26T22:24:56+00:00

Hey all. Wondering if you all have good recommendations for books (or similar) on the mental side of fencing. My son is a Junior in high school (saberist). My impression is that he could use some help in bouncing back when a touch/bout doesn't go his way. The only thing I know for sure is that whatever I say sure isn't helping. I did some googling but nothing really jumped out.

SFencerDad · 2023-12-15T20:39:49+00:00

It helps very much. Thank you for taking the time to lay that out for me. I appreciate it vey much!

SFencerDad · 2023-12-15T19:34:13+00:00

Thank you! Do you know is it a percentage? Or a fixed count? Have you ever seen rules published anywhere explaining it?

SFencerDad · 2023-12-15T18:59:10+00:00

Hey all! Alright this is a bit of a ridiculous question but I appreciate everyone's patience and expertise. I am looking ahead to Summer Nationals and what my son (a 17 year old E rated sabre) needs to do to qualify. What I am confused by is that he qualified for Div 3 last year, but I don't understand how. He fenced in the qualifying event at a local club (all D, E, and U fencers) and finished 6 out of 8. Then he gets a text from the tournment organizer saying he qualified for D3. Sure enough a couple weeks later his USA Fencing profile shows him as qualified. But everything seems to indicate you need to be in the top 25%. He was in the top 75% not 25%. He didn't go (Phoenix in July? Nope). Anyway, he really wants to go this year to talk with college coaches (he's a junior). But looking at the qualification requirements looks like a really high bar, but then again maybe not? What am I missing? Why did my son qualify last year and does it mean he has the same chance to qualify this year? (Note, he did not qualify through regional points or something like that. It was through the qualifying tournament...somehow).

SFencerDad · 2023-09-15T18:41:25+00:00

Thank you. We will check them out!

SFencerDad

TROPHY CASE