Test of the upcoming IN MOTU/UHLMANN fencing jacket and fencing trousers for historical fencing.
It was Michael Sprenger!
Test of the upcoming IN MOTU/UHLMANN fencing jacket and fencing trousers for historical fencing.
Michael Sprenger is a well-known, experienced fencer and trainer who has dug deep into the tournament scene. When we showed a fencer in the picture this week and asked you to guess who was wearing the fencing jacket, it was that same Michael Sprinkler.
This week he took the time to visit me here in beautiful Nordhausen, or more precisely in Neustadt at the foot of Hohnstein Castle, to intensively test the upcoming fencing jacket and trousers that I will be bringing onto the market with my cooperation partner Uhlmann Fencing .
Thank you for your great feedback Michael. I was very happy to see your eyes light up when you were able to test the fencing jacket and trousers for a few hours.
Here is your first feedback on the two current prototype suits in black and white.
"This week I had the opportunity to test the new fencing jacket from In Motu / Uhlmann for historical fencing. I already knew a few things in advance. I had already seen the fabric and the padding material and knew that the jacket was correspondingly light would be. However, I was also skeptical about the protective effect against cuts and stabs. I also knew that the forearms are not protected by padding but only by multi-layered, puncture-resistant material. Accordingly, I was quite critical in this regard.
First, I put on my reference. An AP with 350N stab protection from SPES. One of the classics among HEMA jackets. In order to make somewhat comprehensible assessments, we carried out a lesson in which I was beaten or stabbed to a defined extent. The whole thing with increasing intensity until I found it uncomfortable. This point is of course very subjective. I fence very competitively myself and would say that I am not sensitive to the severity of blows or stabs.
Then get out of the old jacket and into the new Jake. That means not yet, because I first subjectively compared both jackets in terms of their dimensions. So I picked them both up and felt the weight. There are no advantages or disadvantages to the new In Motu jacket. It is perhaps comparable to a standard AP, although here the size M of the AP was compared with a slightly larger version of the In Motu jacket. In addition, the In Motu jacket has a higher stab protection at 800N and the fabric is correspondingly stronger and heavier. Therefore it is the same mass with better protection.
The new jacket is very easy to put on and the zipper is easy to close. It sits very light and you don't feel like you're wearing a HEMA jacket. A clear plus point in terms of comfort. The only limitation for me was the zipper on the left. As a left-handed player this is a bit disabling. Therefore, when buying, you should make sure to choose the zipper on the other side. Afterwards the same lesson as just now. Blows and stabs with increasing intensity. Blows felt much more comfortable here, especially in the shoulder area. Of course, you have to believe me that I can judge whether someone is really hitting hard or not. The intensity of the blows was equivalent. At first it was more unpleasant in the lurch. However, Paul pointed out to me that the outer material of this jacket has not yet been finished. So I took off my jacket and put on another version where the finishing work was already finished. I was fascinated by what was possible with modern materials, because the stitch comfort was significantly better. Comparable to an AP.
Now the topic of forearms. Paul's argument is that mobility is better. My argument is that the protective effect is modest. It has to be said that I don't wear forearm protectors over my jacket because they hinder me. That's why I wear extra padding underneath. However, that wouldn't be enough with the In Motu jacket. For comparison, Paul gave me his RD forearm/elbow pads to put on. I then had to admit that the mobility was better than with my version (AP + padding underneath). Because the forearms are only protected by fabric, they can move much more freely. It's as if you were wearing the protectors directly on your body. Twerhae with crossed arms also work much easier. Here, too, a clear plus point for comfort.
Finally, I asked Paul to fight for my body and arms, and I asked him to meet me regularly. This should show again what it looks like against blows and stabs that are delivered from the dynamic with full intensity. Here, too, I couldn't find any disadvantages compared to my AP.
To summarize, I say the jacket is a real alternative. The mass and the protective effect are comparable to a normal AP, although the wearing comfort and mobility are far better. I gave a few tips on the cut because the jacket could look a little more elegant, but after safety, protection, comfort and mobility, that is really the last consideration when choosing a fencing jacket.
"
A few fencers have now come to me to look at the upcoming fencing suit, try it out and share their opinions and suggestions.
It was important to me that the jacket was also accepted by the fencers. Participation is therefore always important. I involved several fencers during the process so that I could always compare different opinions.
Many thanks to the fencers who took their time.
It was important to me that the jacket was also accepted by the fencers. Participation is therefore always important. I involved several fencers during the process so that I could always compare different opinions.
Many thanks to the fencers who took their time.
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