Recommended Helmet for Padded / Waster practice?

[Tim Hyde]

Hello, I'm wondering what brand/model hockey or lacrosse helmet most of you use for Waster or Padded sparring/practice? (Or maybe theres some arma helmets or other types you could recommend?)

I'm abit worried about getting a nice thrust through the crossbars of some hockey masks, or even the windpipe. (perhaps a neck protector you could also recommend?)

Thanks, Sorry for all the questions <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Lance Chan]

I use Bauer 1000 or 4000 that come with cage. The padded swords we use can't thrust through the cage. As of neck, our stuff is safe for thrusting at the neck also so no problem.

[Randall Pleasant]

Tim

I think a lot of people in ARMA are moving away from using hockey helmets, etc., and just using 3-weapon fencing masks. Hockey helmets are not really safe in free play with wasters since a waster can be thrust through its mask. My own experience has been that even with padded swords the hockey helmet will sooner or later start to fail. I have yet to see a quality fencing mask fail. Of course, I have limited expereince on which to base my opinion. <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Tim Hyde]

Hrrm, but with the 3 weapon fencing masks, what about the top and back of your head? That doesnt offer very much protection or padding.

[david welch]

ARMA Knoxville is going to be moving from hockey helmets to fullface motorcycle or snowmobile helmets with face shields. We are having trouble with hockey helmets standing up to hard elbows and strikes in sparring.

[Brian Hunt]

A 3-weapon mask is intended to stand up to the type of thrusts and cuts you get from sport fencing equipment - foil, epee, saber. Wasters deliver a much stronger blow and can seriously dent a 3-weapon mask, as can a padded sword due to the mass involved. However, I don't know of an ideal commercialy availible alternative. As for protection to the back of the head, there is a nice pattern for a leather helmet attachment that makes a 3-weapon mask better head protection. It can be found on the internet with a search on google. If I was going to use a hockey mask, I would replace the cage with a heavy steel mesh, or 16-gage stainless steel perf. This would dramaticlly increase the saftey of the hockey mask. If you are worried about throat protection, I reccomend wearing a gorget. For my personal use, I use a ABS plastic helmet with a hardened steel mesh that I made. It is based on a close helm and has a built in gorget, plus it offers full head protection.

hope this helps some.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

I use a hockey goalie mask, they are much more substantial. They also have extended neck and face protection which the regular hockey helmets do not have. I have used it now for about two years without any problems.

[Tim Hyde]

Hrrm, I'm considering buying one of these Hockey masks then asking my aunts sister to weld on more bars, or adding a clear plasic that is ballisics approved or from a riot shield of some sort under the cage. (as there is an opening in the middle)

Like this:

(red is added crossbars, or where clear shield would go)

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1384031&amp;cp=&amp;page=3&amp;keywords=hockey+helmet&amp;searchId=10408111475&amp;doVSearch=no&amp;clickid=topnav_search_txt&amp;pageBucket=0&amp;parentPage=search

or

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1111123&amp;cp=&amp;page=3&amp;keywords=hockey+helmet&amp;searchId=10408111475&amp;doVSearch=no&amp;clickid=topnav_search_txt&amp;pageBucket=0&amp;parentPage=search

The catchers helmet (first link) seems to have some kind of neck protection.

I'll look into some goalee helmets also like you advised Aaron, thanks for all the help so far all.

[Bruce Magee]

Hi tim, i have ao agree with what randell said, the guys in my group that have hockey masks ended up geting 3 weapon fencing masks.unless ya have a mesh cage a hockey mask wont be as safe from accidental thrusts if your doing light steel sparring. both have draw backs, so weapon control is very important in any sparring or training.my helmet is a 3 weapon fencing mask from blue-gauntlet(north jersey company) and it has worked out fine for me. best of luck, but remember weapon control is a must.


b.magee
arma northern n.j.

[Mike Chidester]

In ARMA PRovo, hockey masks are all the rage, and the standard method is to cover the cage with a sheet of wire mesh (wrapping the edges so as not to damage padded swords on the jagged wire ends). Jeff also added a gorget to his, in the form of a half-circle of plasti sheeting the hangs from the face-guard.

[Brian Hunt]

Hey Mike,

I have looked at the provo groups hockey helments, and I have been meaning to ask if anyone has tried full force thrusts with a steel blunt against the mesh to see if it will hold up to this punishment. The reason I ask is that the mesh I have seen seems a little fine on the wire gage to me, and this is the area in which it is most likely to fail.

not critizing, just wondering.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[Andrew Kesterson]

If you surf the thrift shops or ebay, you might be able to find one of the old open-face motorcycle helmets that can have a face shield snapped on there for super cheap. Ex-mil german helmets are available on CTD (in said configuration) for about $20, though of course they're not period at all. Cheap though, which is a big plus. <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" />

My $.02

[Shane Smith]

I wear a three weapons mask by Blue Gauntlet. I wear an arming cap under it to protect the back of my head for those very odd occasions when I may take a hard hit there. Fortunately,everyone here in VAB has a great deal of control in their strikes when we do mess up <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Jaron Bernstein]

I used a police riot helmet for a while until the plastic face shield got busted. But before that it worked great. Protects against concussion and has a solid but clear face covering. I am now down to the old borrowed (thanks Jamie! ) lacrosse helm for lack of $.

[Bill Welch]

I was wondering about the usefulness of a lacross helmet or a polo helmet they seem to be made to be used around people flingging about sticks <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />. I have not looked them so I dont know anything about them It just occurred to me that they might be useful.