Christian Lee-Becker on the IN MOTU UHLMANN FENCING JACKET
ANOTHER TESTER OF THE
IN MOTU-UHLMANN HEMA JACKET
Christian ( ChriZz Ly ) is with thePalatinate Sword Lions - Historical Martial Arts Association and currently specializes in rapier fencing as a trainer. At the weekend I was finally able to meet him again at the Tremonia Fencing School 2020.
Of course he took the opportunity to test our new jacket extensively. Also with our new HEMA leather vest, which you can order in just a few days.
Here are his words:
" Short review of the Uhlmann fencing jacket by Paul Becker/In MOTU
Briefly about my fencing jacket experience:
So far I have fought in the following fencing jackets:
- SPES Hussar 800N
- SPES AP 350N
- SPES AP Light 350N (current)
- Leon Paul Titan Pro 800N
- Highhill Jacket 800N (current)
- SPES JF Fencing Jacket 350N (current)
Design:
The jacket is visually reminiscent of a thicker fencing jacket from sport fencing and is available in black and white. The jacket is deliberately not fitted in order to better absorb blows from the side. But the design is not for everyone.
Wearing comfort:
The test jacket was a size too big for me, as you can clearly see in the picture. The jacket was still comfortable to wear and felt comparable to a standard SPES AP in terms of weight. The jacket offers full freedom of movement and there were no noticeable restrictions. Overhead movements are no problem. The mobility is in no way inferior to the SPES AP Light. The heat development, which usually sets in quite quickly, only started slowly and only very slightly. The strap between the legs, which is intended to prevent the jacket from riding up, can be easily removed using a hook system.
Protective effect:
The inside of the jacket is padded with shock-absorbing filling everywhere except for the elbows, forearms and collar.
In any case, I felt blows with the fencing feather comparable to when I was wearing a normal SPES AP. Stitches too.
I think this jacket is particularly suitable for rapier fencing. To do this, I had a few stabs in my chest and stomach using Paul's pen and let myself be hit with my Bellatore rapier. The blows were no problem at all and were super dampened. For stitches with a stiffer blade, it is still recommended to wear a breastplate underneath or the separately available leather vest, which is super light and does not restrict freedom of movement. Paul's jacket will probably be my future choice, especially for rapier tournaments, and I also find it very interesting for saber fencing. For other rapier sparring, especially so-called friendly sparring, I will stick with my new highhill jacket. The future of my SPES AP Light is currently uncertain. 
There are already more competent opinions than mine to answer the question of whether the jacket is suitable for more intensive long sword fencing. Just this much: it would certainly be sufficient for my personal purposes.
The gimmick that you can attach a saber or rapier to your jacket through a loop and thus practice drawing the weapon is a classic “nice to have”.
Thank you Christian for your review, which will hopefully help many fencers evaluate the jacket.
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