concering sparring helmets

[Antonio Delgado]

Hey all, thus far I've been using a hockey helmet to protect my head when sparring, but I'd like to move to something that better protects my face against an accidental thrust from a waster (the grid size on the hockey helmet is larger than I would prefer), yet if possible something that gives the top of the head a bit more protection that a fencing mask. I was looking at kendo masks as a possibility. Has anyone tried one, or own one, that could tell me if the bars on the face are close together enough to keep the tip of a waster out, or should I keep looking for another solution? Thanks for the help!

[Jaron Bernstein]

Maybe try a kali/escrima helmet if you want to go commercial. Of course, Brian Hunt here makes excellent helmets purposely designed for WMA

[Jeff Hansen]

One option is to keep your hockey helmet and buy some appropriate wire mesh from bwire.com. Then get some small black zip ties and attach the mesh securely to the hockey mask ( I think I used at least 20 on mine). If you use padded weapons you will also want to do some sort of edging (I used leather) anywhere the mesh has an exposed edge, since it will catch and shred cloth-tape-foam, and potentially your opponent's flesh should you come to grips.

[Antonio Delgado]

thanks for the help guys, like I'll order some wire and try to make a face-screen thing.