Saber Lames

Saber lames are probably the most expensive piece of equipment that exists in the sport., or at least it feels that way when they fail at the equipment table. Yet sadly it is probably one of the most commonly failed pieces of equipment besides body cords. So how can we make them last longer? Are there better options? Well, I am glad you asked.

First, why do saber Lames fail? It is because they are no longer conductive. This can happen for one of two reasons:  The stands of metal in the lame have been broken, or the metal in the lame has corroded.

Let’s focus on the second one for a bit.  All lames are made of some form of conductive material. On the cheap end that is most commonly copper. Ever had a lame turn green? That is the copper in the lame “rusting”.  All the sweat has caused the metal to convert into copper oxide which is not conductive. So how do we prevent our lame from rusting? Biggest thing is don’t leave it in your fencing bag. It basically acts as a moist chamber causing your lame to rust. Same goes for a locker. You want your lame on a hanger hanging in an open area so it can dry out. I would also recommend at least once a month taking it into the shower and rising it out under the showerhead. Make sure to hang it so it can dry. If your lame gets really stinky you can soak it in a bucket of warm water with a cap of woolite or ammonia to help clean it. Make sure to rinse it well after soaking and hang it to dry. 

If you would like to buy a non-copper lame here are a couple options. I would avoid your traditional stainless steel lames for saber. The sandpaper quality of the material will cause the armpits to scrape themselves raw and die. The better option is made from stainless steel wire woven into a soft cotton. This material is not nearly abrasive and I find it does not tend to lead to armpits becoming non-conductive from scraping. Absolute calls this their signature series lame. PBT makes lame’s from a similar material, called “washable” Inox. Finally Blue Gauntlet’s is called EDGE Stainless steel Lame.

A note on lightweight lames:  Lightweight lames are made of chemically treated fabric so they are not as durable as other lames.  I generally don’t recommend them for kids as they are expensive and require more care. I have had lightweight lames last a long time, especially the Leon Paul Lightweights. I personally rinse them in the shower after every use and hang them to dry. If you want a lightweight lame try either the Leon Paul or Allstar ones. Make sure to take care of it. I don’t have any proof but it is my and a couple other armorer’s belief that some people’s sweat is more corrosive so if you notice that lightweight lame’s are failing even taking great care of it, they just might not be for you. 

A note on gloves: Make sure to match your glove’s lame material and jacket’s lame material. If you have a lightweight jacket, or softer stainless steel jackets don’t use a regular lame glove. The abrasiveness of the glove will ruin the conductivity of the jacket cuff under the glove by acting like sandpaper. Same if you have a regular lame and a lightweight or softer material glove. 

Another recommendation for getting your lames to last a long time is consider having a tournament lame and a practice one. When your tournament lame fails it becomes your new practice lame. Make sure to rinse and hang dry your tournament lame after use. Putting it away covered in sweat after an event, even after letting it dry isn’t a great idea. I have seen lame’s especially lightweight ones, dead after one usage because they weren’t stored properly.

Lames fail because they lose conductivity by either corrosion or wear. To reduce corrosion rinse your lame in the shower and hang it in an open space to dry it out. DON’T leave it in your bag or a locker. To reduce wear, consider having a tournament and practice lame. Also make sure to match the lame material on your glove to the lame material on your lame(jacket). Make sure to rinse and hang dry your tournament lame after an event.

Lame recommendations for saber. Absolute signature series lames are a great non-copper lame. PBT makes a similar cotton woven lame under the PBT “washable” Inox branding. Finally Blue Gauntlet’s is called EDGE Stainless steel Lame. Avoid your traditional Stainless steel lames as they are more abrasive and can wear quickly mostly in the armpit area.

Lightweight lames can be good but require more care. I rinse them after every use and hang dry them. I recommend the Leon Paul or Alstar lightweight lames.  I Generally don’t recommend them for kids as they don’t tend to take care of them and are lightweight lames are expensive.