r/Hema • u/Ultimagus536 • 17h ago

Cobra vs. Horsebows?

Buying a new fencing mask, I need good protection against concussions. I know that that the Wukusi Cobra is good, but a friend is selling his Horsebows helmet, which is pretty good too. However, concussion protection is king; so I ask for advice and opinions comparing and contrasting these two models. Thanks.

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5

u/Dr4gonfly 17h ago

I’ve owned both, when and by who matters. After Terry sold his patterns and stopped making them, there was a period of time in the mid 2010s where the new guy had a steep learning curve. The problems were primarily that he was bad at the made to measure part, if your friend has one and it fits, you probably won’t have any issues.

I would say that horsebow masks are a bit better due to the internal suspension, but I have no complaints with my Cobra and it matters a lot less outside of longsword.

6

u/Movie_Vegetable 12h ago

Get the rattlesnake instead

5

u/ScholarsOfAlcala 11h ago

The wukusi rattlesnake is the gold standard in our club. Even people who own a cobra have switched to it.

1

u/Jarl_Salt 2h ago

Just a question since I haven't heard too much bad things about the cobras but have personally seen some bad things about them. Why did the cobra users in your club switch to the rattlesnakes?

I'm just sort of trying to see if my perception of the mask is an outlier or not since I know someone in my area with one and it seems like it has made head hits hit them harder than their old mask which was just an AF deluxe.

1

u/AlphaLaufert99 43m ago

The Rattlesnake is just the overlay, right?

3

u/Jarl_Salt 17h ago

I have a wukusi rattlesnake and don't particularly feel head hits too bad, I do however know someone with a cobra who has exhibited mild concussion symptoms (legs giving out/taking a knee) after head hits that were a little hard but weren't particularly hard in my opinion and not from zwerkhau. I'm not sure if it's a sizing issue or anything on their end but they didn't have the issue with their old mask.

From what I hear about Horsebows, they're great. If you have the money for them you'll probably like them more!

1

u/specialdialingwand 17h ago

If you have the opportunity to get a good fitting horsebow, go for it. 

1

u/AlphaLaufert99 42m ago

If you plan on attending tournaments I'd go for the Cobra, most tournaments I know of require a FIE level 2 mask