Tips for a perfect mask adjustment

In terms of safety, a mask is the most important equipment for the practice of fencing. It's also the equipment you will wear the longest and the most often. It is therefore in your best interest that your mask fits properly, in order to maximize your comfort and safety.

What is a good fit?

A mask shouldn't be too tight, but it shouldn't be too loose either. To determine if your fit is correct, perform the following four checks after putting on your mask:

1. Is your mask too tight? Do you have any discomfort? You should be able to speak and breathe easily.
2. Move your head. Slowly shake your head "yes", then "no". Your mask should follow your head movement.
3. Place your hands on your mask, then shake your head "yes", then "no", all the while securing your mask in its original position. Your head should be able to slightly move around in your mask.
4. Release your grip on your mask, then look at your toes. Your mask should remain securely "hooked" under your chin.

If you have achieved the expected results in each of the four steps, your mask is a good fit. If not, you should adjust it. The adjustment method is described later in this article.

Face shape

A mask that is not quite the right shape for your face can be adjusted, but it also needs to be the right size. You can change the height or width of the mask, but you can't change its circumference. In other words, all the height you add is subtracted from the width and vice versa. Consider the following example.

The image shows three masks from different manufacturers with the face of the same fencer. The first mask is not the right shape for the face at all. The sides are too wide and the height is too tight. The second mask is too big, since the height and width are loose. The third mask almost perfectly matches the shape of the fencer's face.

As explained in the article How to find the right fencing mask, the shape of masks from different manufacturers varies. The closer the shape of the mask is to the shape of your face, the less adjustment will be required. However, since masks are not infinitely adjustable, you may be unable to adjust the mask properly if its shape differs too much from your face shape.

Anatomy of a mask

To adjust the mask without risking damage, you first need to understand how masks are made. The wire mesh is made up of two pieces (face and head), which are then welded onto a reinforcement ring (in green in the image). In order to avoid damaging the welds, it is important to only apply force directly to the reinforcement ring when attempting to change the shape of the mask. This ring is also what holds the shape of the mask.

The tongue of the mask is made of a metal U-shaped rod (in red) welded to the reinforcement ring (in green). A piece of cardboard is placed inside the U, then everything is wrapped in a plastic coating. A rivet (red dot) affixes the middle of the pallet to the mesh, meaning that the mesh is only holding to the cardboard and plastic parts of the tongue. Since the welds and rivet are fragile, it is important not to apply force directly to them.

How to adjust the mask

Green arrows indicate places that typically need to be adjusted on a mask. To adjust the shape of the mask, you need to apply pressure to opposite sides of the mask, always along the green line (see images in the Anatomy of a mask section). With some masks, it is usually sufficient to squeeze it with your arms (as if you are hugging the mask). In the case of more stiffer masks, for example FIE masks, you will have to use your bodyweight. This is done by placing one knee on the mask, when said mask is on the ground.

However, it is essential to apply force only to the reinforcement ring (green line). Make sure to apply even pressure, increasing gradually. Avoid sudden forces or shocks. Don't be surprised if you have to lean into it to get it moving. Also, when working the mask, don't apply all of your pressure in the same spot. Since you want to keep as much of a rounded shape as possible, you should work different areas along the green line and then rework some places as necessary.

The tongue on the back of the mask should be bent so that it is in continuous contact with the fencer head. The exact shape of the curve varies from fencer to fencer and should be adjusted on a trial-and-error basis. A tongue that is too tight will be uncomfortable and hinder the fencer when putting on or taking off their mask, but a tongue that is too loose will not secure the mask to their head and therefore becomes dangerous. You should also avoid bending / straightening the tongue every time the mask is put on and taken off.

To bend the tongue, place the mask between your knees, with the tongue upwards and pointing away from you. Place two fingers of each hand under the tongue, then force the tongue down, using those fingers as a pivot point. This will prevent you from applying force to the welds of the tongue and to the rivet that holds it in place.

A note on Leon Paul's X-Change masks

Some mask models offered by Leon Paul feature a fully washable and adjustable interior. While this has some obvious advantages, it is also important that the fit is right to maximize the comfort and safety of the mask.

The most important adjustment has to do with the forehead padding. This padding is held in place by velcros and can be adjusted in multiple angles and locations. As shown in the picture, the padding should be positioned on the front of the forehead. Also, the forehead pad must be placed so that the tip of the fencer’s nose is no less than 5 cm from the mask's mesh.