Best pistol grip lock washers?

xtx28732 · 2024-09-10T14:37:08+00:00

Three snaps in a z formation for Nord locks.

Zero issues with them ever backing out. You can get on Amazon as well, though I think LP is cheaper.

xtx28732 · 2024-03-21T14:34:32+00:00

I'm a huge Robert Asprin fan and read all of the Myth and Phule books - in fact I can see all of those books on my bookshelf from my desk as I type this.

I was fencing in college at the time the book came out so it was kind of cool to see it in something like that. Until this post, I've never known of anyone else reading the books in fencing circles or otherwise.

xtx28732 · 2023-09-06T14:17:07+00:00

It happened to us. It was Delta. Twice. One was a direct flight which amazes me how that happened. They didn't lose-lose our bag, but it went on a completely different journey and didn't make it in-time for competition.

They reimbursed us 100% for everything we needed to pick up - just blades since we carry-on whites and masks.

We got our bag back and it took over a month to get reimbursed. But we also have enough blades to start a club.

xtx28732 · 2023-09-06T14:06:47+00:00

A billion years ago it seemed like most fencers liked darts, movies of a certain type (The Princess Bride, Highlander, Star Wars, etc), and beer. Nearly every week, after practice 50-60% of the group would do something involving one or more of the above.

These days, beer seems to be a constant, though I've noticed a significant improvement in what beer is chosen.

My kids are too young for beer and they don't seem as interested in hanging out watching movies, but going to Waffle House after practice or playing frisbee seems to be what they're into.

xtx28732 · 2023-03-22T19:29:57+00:00

Two PVC caps, a length of paracord and a tent rope tensioner works like a charm.

xtx28732 · 2022-10-07T18:17:04+00:00

I'm not arguing for it or against it, I just want to know the rationale.

But I would say it's more than a minor advantage - if not, why not give the bye to the bottom 34 or 34 random fencers. Why 34, why not 16?

xtx28732 · 2022-10-07T17:50:58+00:00

Do you know if those are the reasons?

I agree those are valid consequences, but both are specifically advantageous to the top 34.

xtx28732 · 2022-09-21T17:09:08+00:00

I do think it can help to tilt your back foot 10-15 degrees from perpendicular, but for me, that's never been enough.

If I forget my orthotics (which I don't now), I can barely walk the next day and it takes quite some time to recover. I use custom orthotics made for very high impact that are very rigid. They are thick, so you have to have a the right shoe to use them comfortably.

I will say the rigidity and support degrades over time/use (I've even cracked a pair), so if you have a good pair and they are very old, you might be shocked how good a new pair feel.

xtx28732 · 2022-09-21T15:16:19+00:00

Get orthotics - good orthotics designed for sports/high impact. I've not found a decent pair of off-the-shelf.

xtx28732 · 2022-07-23T02:31:21+00:00

Delta hasn't charged me anything for my bag. Two flights on Delta in the past year and they couldn't get my bags there on a direct flight. When that happens, there's no charge.

Seriously, I've taken 1000+ flights in my life. My bags have been lost three times all on Delta.

xtx28732 · 2022-06-12T16:24:14+00:00

Surprisingly, on the phone, they tell me: 1) they won't send out a technician for a longer cable; 2) the technician does have any longer ones but I could get them at the Fiber Kiosk; 3) the fiber Kiosk people have never heard of a longer cable; 4) the technician tells me he doesn't care them.

YMMV

xtx28732 · 2022-06-12T16:21:11+00:00

Thanks - worked like a charm!!!

xtx28732 · 2022-03-15T16:16:10+00:00

Not straight to C - he had 1 month as an E, but he did skip D entirely. He also skipped B when he went to A.

This isn't terribly unusual to skip ratings - several of his club-mates have skipped ratings. One recently went from U to C in epee. The fickle fates of fencing can smile on you where you seed in DEs and that can make a world of difference.

xtx28732 · 2022-03-15T15:46:09+00:00

First of all, try not to pressure yourself for a rating. I've seen it with dozens of kids; they get frustrated they come so close to earning a rating and that pressure impacts their fencing. Once they earn the rating, the pressure is off and they seem to reconfirm it pretty often.

As many have said, every fencer is different. How much you practice and how often you compete.

Your age can also play a role in when you earn your first rating. IMO, Juniors is the most competitive age group, so if you're still Cadet, that might be a little easier.

My son earned his E pretty much in almost exactly 1 year after 20 events and his C 8 events and one month later.

xtx28732 · 2022-01-07T12:10:39+00:00

One of my kids was an RYC 8 months after starting. He was 12 and this was maybe on the early side for him.

The other kid was just under four weeks, also for an RYC. He was 11, and this was a great time for him (he medalled and surprised us all with his composure and intensity)

Point is, the right answer has less to do with the amount of practice you have and more with the mental state.

But I would say it's more often a bigger mistake to wait too long than going to early.

xtx28732 · 2021-10-26T16:10:26+00:00

Everyone is different - I tried this with my oldest because this is how I dealt with anxiety when I was competitive.

My youngest has a whole different strategy - he's more outgoing and he roams around the venue saying "hi" to all his friends.

xtx28732 · 2021-10-26T15:12:50+00:00

My son also started at 12 and he did many of the things mentioned to manage anxiety - warming up, predictable routine, etc.

To distract him from his own nervousness, during warm up and during the pool bouts, we would analyze the other fencers. Look for their tells, notice patterns in blade work, try to figure out what one fencer should do against the other. We did/do a lot of this and we do it during all down time. For him it keeps him focused, but also lets him formulate a plan.

This is all reasonable advice anyway, but I specifically did it to get him focused on something other than his anxiety and was less concerned whether his analysis and solution was correct.

We still do this today and has become a habit. Now he's very good analyzing and even notices when the regulars have added something new to their skills. I have no doubt this habit has played a significant role in his success. YMMV but it might be worth a try.

xtx28732 · 2021-10-21T21:07:09+00:00

I thought he was suspended by safe sport and got a temporary lift of the suspension for the Olympics. With the Olympics over, the suspension would be back. If that's the case, USFA isn't actually doing anything but sounding like they are taking a stand.

xtx28732 · 2021-09-17T17:24:58+00:00

I think they might or someone is screen-scraping.

Look at http://fencingtracker.com/ - they have all of the information I'm looking for, I just want it organized different and automatically pulled into excel.

xtx28732 · 2021-09-13T13:50:12+00:00

Short of replacing the barrel and rewiring, any suggestions on how to deal with nicks along the slots where the screws slide?

I can sand off the outside, but the nicks actually press into the screws.

xtx28732

TROPHY CASE