Frequently Asked Questions
General
What makes Benjamin Arms so special?
Why is a weapon's balance important?
Can you tailor make a weapon for me?
Weapons
What's the difference between a stock blade and a Benjamin Arms blade?
Why are there no #3 stock French foil blades?
What steel are your guards and parts made from, and why aren't they made in stainless steel?
What's the benefit of heat coloring?
Your Purchase
If I purchase online, how is my information protected?
What will be included with my order?
How and when will my order be shipped?
When can I expect my purchase to arrive?
Can I decline shipping and pick up my order?
Can I purchase internationally?
What is Benjamin Arms' return policy?
Other Services
Are gift certificates available?
Are contract jobs available from Benjamin Arms?
Can I visit Benjamin Arms' physical location?
Can I suggest a product to Benjamin Arms?
Can Benjamin Arms appraise my antique fencing weapon?
Classical fencing is the practice of western martial arts as a combative martial exercise. Classical fencing is not considered a sport or game. A classical fencer is one who values self preservation in combat over all other potential concerns.
-What makes Benjamin Arms so special?
Each weapon from Benjamin Arms is constructed using hand crafted pieces specifically made to meet the needs of classical fencers. From the late 1800’s until the late 1970’s, there was a great variety of fencing weapons that met these needs. The few craftsmen of these special weapons have unfortunately either passed away or gone out of business, subsequently, their learned craft has nearly faded away. In the forty years since, classical fencers have had to cope with equipment not specifically designed for classical fencing. However, due to the accumulated knowledge of the last few classical fencing masters, a new renaissance in equipment standards has begun with Benjamin Arms.
Benjamin Arms is reviving the art of customized design to meet the specific needs of the classical fencer. We have revived a variety of carefully selected weapon styles previously unavailable until now. It is the aim of Benjamin Arms to provide all classical fencers with the equipment for the proper practicing of their arts.
-Why is a weapon's balance important?
The weapon’s balance is often considered the most important element of a weapon because it negotiates the interchange between itself and the one manipulating it, between weapon and fencer. Weapons built without understanding the cooperative relationship between the various elements to a weapon (pommel shape and weight, guard thickness and weight, grip length and thickness, blade length, thickness and taper, etc.) will react clumsily in the user's hand. A properly balanced weapon will feel like a weightless extension of the fencer's hand. In turn, that will aid in the proper manipulation to which the weapon was designed for.
-Can you tailor-make a weapon for me?
Benjamin Arms has many products available and would love to customize a weapon for you. Multi-element customization is available under the "Customized Weapons" catalogue in the "Buy Online" section of this website. However, weapons are extremely personal and how they handle is no exception. Though all Benjamin Arms weapons will handle better than anything else available, customers are free to make any specific notes on the construction or desired handling of a custom weapon during checkout. We will try our best to meet your needs. Individual weapons should be as unique as the individuals using them, and an in-person weapon "fitting" can also be arranged. See the "Can I visit Benjamin Arms' physical location" question below for more information.
The blades on practice fencing weapons are often proportional to the user, though length can also be a matter of personal preference. Below is a chart of the blades most often used effectively by individuals of varying heights:
• 5'10" and above: #5 blades
• 5'6" to 5'10": #4 blades
• 5'0" to 5'6": #3 blades
• 4'6" to 5'0": #2 blades
• 4'0" and below: #0 blades
-What's the difference between a stock blade and a Benjamin Arms Blade?
A stock blade is one straight out of the box from manufacturers such as Linea, StM, Blue Gauntlet or Absolute Fencing. However, after being in business for over a year we've grown unhappy with the irregularity of quality and poor handling the thick and bulky standard (unwired) blades offer classical fencers. Because of this, Benjamin Arms hand regrinds, hones, and finishes our own blades from stock originals with quality steel. When you buy a Benjamin Arms blade you're buying a one of a kind piece honed to bend appropriately, safely, and smoothly while handling exquisitely light and crisp.
-Why are there no stock #3 French foil blades?
We have not been able to find any #3 stock blades for sale from other manufacturers. It's a shame too, becuase not having them means a number of fencers fence with improportionate blades. Benjamin Arms does cut down and retaper our own #3's, though.
-What steel are your guards and parts made from, and why aren't they made in stainless steel?
Under construction, more information soon.
-What's the benefit of heat coloring?
Under construction, more information soon.
-What will be included with my order?
All purchases from Benjamin Arms are shipped in sturdy cardboard packaging with recycled bubble wrap protecting your weapon. The shipping label/invoice is enclosed in a clear envelope on the outside of the packaging. There also may be some additional Benjamin Arms promotional information enclosed, but they will never reflect third party interests. Complete weapon purchases come with a free care and cleaning pamphlet to help maintain the life of your purchase.
Benjamin Arms operates in Arcata, California and possesses a California sellers permit. As such, Benjamin Arms is liable to pay sales tax on goods sold within state borders and reserves the right to charge its customers for sales tax reimbursement. If you are purchasing within the state of California and request either your package be shipped to an address within California or decide to pick up your purchase in person, you will be charged California and Arcata sales tax. Only individuals purchasing products out of California and shipping to an outside address will not be charged sales tax. Gift certificates will not be charged sales tax at any time.
-How and when will my order be shipped?
Your order will be shipped through the UPS method chosen at checkout. Please keep in mind that all customized and designed weapons are hand-made to order and may take up to 21 business days to ship from our workshop. As such we do not offer expedited shipping through our online store. Please contact Benjamin Arms through our contact page to arrange rush jobs or expedited shipping.
-Can I decline shipping and pick up my order?
You are able to waive shipping costs at checkout in favor of physically collecting your purchase in Arcata, California.To do this, you must leave pick up instructions at checkout. The purcahser must retrieve their product within 5 business days between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST. Unless previously arranged with Benjamin Arms, any purchase not collected before the deadline is subject to a $3 per day storage fee for the first 5 business days and $10/day for the following 5 business days. Any purchase not collected by this time (10 business days) is subject to automatic return without customer compensation.
-When can I expect my purchase to arrive?
Purchasing products online for shipping requires the customer fill out the destination shipping information. The check out feature of this website uses shipping cost estimation software to provide you with the most accurate budgeting options. When Benjamin Arms completes your order, you will receive shipping information through the e-mail address submitted upon checkout. This may or may not include tracking numbers depending on the shipping method chosen.
-Can I purchase internationally?
Absolutely! Benjamin Arms can ship internationally, though it must be arranged prior to purchase. Send us an e-mail through our contact page and provide a destination country, city and zip code, where applicable, as well as what product you are interested in. Benjamin Arms will promptly get back to you with an accurate quote.
-Are gift certificates available?
Yes, gift certificates are available here in varying values in the "Buy Online" section under "Gift Ideas".
-If I purchase online, how is my information protected?
Your personal information will be completely protected throughout all the stages of the order processing. Benjamin Arms uses credit card processing through Wells Fargo Merchant Services and Authorize.net. Authorize.net is a leading and recognizable figure in online credit card handling. When you enter your personal and financial information online at Benjamin Arms, only you and Authorize.net will see that information. Credit card numbers are never remembered by any of Benjamin Arms' systems or financial records.
-Can I visit Benjamin Arms' physical location?
Benjamin Arms is an online based business and does not operate a store front (yet). However, individual appointments can be made to visit the Benjamin Arms Workshop for a weapon fitting or to browse available stock. Weapon fittings are the absolute best way to walk away with a weapon truly perfect for you. Benjamin Arms will work one-on-one with you to customize your product from available parts and blades at no additional cost. Use the messaging form on the "Contact" page of this website to arrange a physical meeting.
-Can I suggest a product to Benjamin Arms?
Benjamin Arms does not accept unsolicited designs or ideas. Please refrain from sending designs or ideas through any medium to Benjamin Arms. However, if you do choose to send your designs and ideas to Benjamin Arms, Benjamin Arms incurs no liability for products produced with similarities or resemblances to your unsolicited design or idea submissions.
Benjamin Arms does, though, perform contract jobs to design and build personalized or customized parts. See the "Are contract jobs available from Benjamin Arms" question below for additional information.
-What is Benjamin Arms' return policy?
Benjamin Arms will accept returns of all individual parts (excluding complete weapons) and products still in unused, original condition within 4 weeks of shipment confirmation with no questions asked. Complete weapons may be returned only if the overall product is defective or damaged due to flaws or errors in its components. Any handling descriptions, as objective as they are intended, are not guarantees toward overall product satisfaction and are thus not grounds for returns. Understand it is impossible to completely convey physical feeling through electronic media. If a complete weapon is constituently defective upon arrival you may return it within three weeks. Once these allotted time frames have passed, Benjamin Arms will consider that as satisfaction with our product.
Benjamin Arms is not responsible for damage to products after their safe delivery and will not accept returns for products either misused or displaying evidence of natural wear and tear. These are practice weapons and will naturally wear with use. Natural wear and tear is evidenced by, but not limited to, scratches on the guard, worn or discolored grip wrappings, oxidation on any element of the weapon, or bends in the blade.
Please use the Contact page to discuss this return policy or other return related queries.
-Are contract jobs available from Benjamin Arms?
Yes, contract jobs, such as designing, prototyping and producing custom products, are available though Benjamin Arms. These jobs are typically large orders of at least 20, though can be individual pieces at higher costs. Such jobs might include custom pierce work or fencing school engravery on guards. Special weapon grips or wrappings would also be considered a contract job.
To discuss the potential of contract jobs please use the messaging system under the Contact page of this website.
- Can Benjamin Arms appraise my antique fencing weapon?
Benjamin Arms is not in an appraiser of fencing weapons or equipment in any official capacity. We own a few antiques, have seen many, have bought a few and have researched prices only in an amateur capacity. If you are looking for Benjamin Arms to appraise a fencing weapon or piece of equipment, we can do so only unofficially. We can not issue any documents confirming authenticity or price estimates. The demand for antique fencing paraphernalia is limited and prices fluctuate greatly. If you would like Benjamin Arms to appraise your weapon or at the very least tell you more about it, send an e-mail through the contact form describing what you have. Please make sure to list any identifying marks on the blade itself including maker's marks, country of origin, or personal engravings.
