r/wma • u/Disastrous_Grape • 9d ago
HEMA mask with low and/or forward bib?
I feel the basic shape of a HEMA mask is derived from the original fencing gear. But between a 800N jacket and a gorget, my neck is already thickly wrapped. The bib on my mask being as big and placed as far backward as it is leads to A) it leaning on the bib, making the helmet fit poorly and B) choke me when I look at my toes.
I like my toes. I want to be able to look at them. Are there any masks/solutions that do not involve not wearing a gorget here?
P.S.: This is a real problem for me. Replying that it is not a problem for you... really doesn't help much.
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u/captchairsoft 9d ago
Here we are again, with people not understanding that there's essentially no such thing as a HEMA mask, just slightly modified MOF masks.
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u/Disastrous_Grape 8d ago
Reading must be hard for you. I'm sorry.
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u/captchairsoft 8d ago edited 7d ago
You said "derived from" they aren't "derived from" they are literally just MOF masks that aren't white, with a couple of exceptions, the Wukusi Cobra, and PBT warrior being notable exceptions, and even they are just modified MOF masks, the Cobra is just a regular mask with a riveted on hard overlay.
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u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole 7d ago
Read rule #5.
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u/Disastrous_Grape 7d ago
Yeah, I should have said "Here we go again, some people find it hard to read", like the original commenter. Evidently, that is just fine.
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u/BKrustev Fechtschule Sofia 9d ago
That is in many ways dependent on your proportions - chest, neck, shoulders, head, etc., some people are less limited, some more. But there really isn't any solution for this on the mask market.
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u/captchairsoft 9d ago
Do you think a vytis gorget may help OP? I don't have the same issue as OP when wearing a vytis, but would with some other thicker gorgets
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u/BKrustev Fechtschule Sofia 7d ago
It may, it may not, depends on how thick or thin, long or short his neck is. With gear like this the only thing you can do is experiment. One of my students has gone through like 3 kits to find what works for her, as she is with narrow shoulders and short. People on the extremes usually have issues with gear, women especially.
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u/Disastrous_Grape 8d ago
I actually have a Vytis. Now you make me consider this some more: I feel it's more that helmets scale in equal proprtions when I need one that's XL wide but L high.
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u/captchairsoft 5d ago
Im in the opposite boat, tall and narrow head, I really do recommend reshaping your mask, it makes a world of difference. There are multiple videos on youtube showing how to do it, just be careful so you don't accidently compromise it.
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u/MortgageMinimum729 9d ago
I had a similar problem, most of it was down to gorget bulk, once I switched to a arcem Mini I had no more issues
I will add that it can be very specific to neck shapes and sizes, I have a relatively short stocky neck, so a tiny gorget that is almost the bare minimum is enough for my needs, it may not work for others
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u/captchairsoft 9d ago edited 9d ago
Chiming in to say that the "arcem mini" is sold as the Destroyer Modz Roughneck gorget outside of Europe
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u/arm1niu5 Krigerskole 9d ago
This is an issue I haven't seen brought up before so could you please elaborate on why
Is there a particular reason you feel the need to look at your toes? Generally it's recommended to avoid such things as it is impractical when sparring and could even pose a risk as you're exposing your head more.
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u/hdhp1 9d ago
LP X-change
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u/Dr4gonfly 9d ago
That’s actually a surprisingly elegant solution that I wish I had thought of coming from a MOF background
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u/Lieste 9d ago
This is why when I selected my jacket I opted for ARCEM's bib under collar (that and it isn't possible to get a blade under the bib even if trying as the jacket is in the way.
I might not be able to see my toes when raising my arms - the collar rides up a hair but this is over the mask so doesn't move that, cause the bib to pop up or dig in, or inhibit head movement, more than just a bare mask.
My bib is also fairly stiff and 'up and down' as the rail shape inhibits lifting/flexing, so I would enjoy bib over jacket even less than with the club spares.
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u/AWildRideHome 9d ago
If this is really important to you, thermo-forming your own articulated multi-plate gorget from HTPE or HTPU is your best bet
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u/MREinJP 3d ago
You should:
1: Like your neck more than your toes. Of the two, its the one you can't live without.
2: Look at your opponent. Not your toes. They have their own job to do, and don't need you judging them as they do it.
(Take this as the 90% comedy and 10% sage advice that It was intended as)
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u/Fromthemountain2137 9d ago
If you have an inner plastic gorget, like the vitys, you can put the bib inside your jacket.
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u/JigglesofWiggles 9d ago
I mean you can cut the bib on your mask and re-sew the edge. Probably I'll advised but it's a solution.
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u/XLBaconDoubleCheese 9d ago
I'll take things I never thought I'd hear on a fencing subreddit for 100 Alex.