Which Grip is Best?

[The0ne]

french in epee is fun, but for foil Italian visconti is the way to go!!!

[Artisan]

I first started with the Italian Visconti, but soon changed over to the German style. I have a small hand, and for some reason, the German feels better. The only problem I have with it is that it cuases friction near my thumb and there is a long tang. I got use to it.

Why adapt to your grip? Alter the grip to suit you. With a coarse half round file, you can make adjustments for optimal comfort. By adding epoxy putty you can build up areas as well.

[I_luv_saber]

Why adapt to your grip?

Because if you can learn to adapt to different grips, you can use another kind if something happens, or if you can preform certain attacks better with a different grip.

[ztron24]

Because if you can learn to adapt to different grips, you can use another kind if something happens, or if you can preform certain attacks better with a different grip.

quite right. for epee, i primarily use fench, but i keep a couple pistol grips around because every once in a while there will be an opponent who is really beaty/bindy, or one i would just rather use pistol against. thing is you have to practice with both...

[Artisan]

Because if you can learn to adapt to different grips, you can use another kind if something happens, or if you can preform certain attacks better with a different grip.

IMHO, fencing is hard enough without adding more variables. I've made an effort to get all my weapons as close as possible to being the same - same grip, same cant, same or similar feeling blade , similar overall weight and balance. As far as "something happens" goes, I try to take at least 5 epees to a tournament, if I manage to go through 4 without time to make any repairs, then I've got bigger problems than adjusting to a different style of pistol grip.

[vincikai]

IMHO, fencing is hard enough without adding more variables. I've made an effort to get all my weapons as close as possible to being the same - same grip, same cant, same or similar feeling blade , similar overall weight and balance. As far as "something happens" goes, I try to take at least 5 epees to a tournament, if I manage to go through 4 without time to make any repairs, then I've got bigger problems than adjusting to a different style of pistol grip.

omg i have almost all different blades and grips plus different weight foils lol but it is cool to fence two types of grips

[I_luv_saber]

IMHO, fencing is hard enough without adding more variables.

Too true. But that also goes for your opponent. Now he has to fence you with your new grip and whatever style you use with it.

[rvergara]

I love the power of precision of the Italian grip (old Italian, not visconti), but since i don't own any italian foil I use a visconti too.

[glowstix]

i don't know how the hell i possibly could have used french before. my point control with them is HORRIBLE. still waiting for someone to show me why and how french is supposed to give more point control.

[geezer]

When I get an orthopedic grip, I start modifiying...grind, sand, paint...get rid of that G.D. thumb horn...freakin' useless!!!
Zivkovic is the BEST I've ever held, it's a perfect fit...after I cut down that stupid horn!!!

non illigitimi carborundum

[Schiavona]

My fav is whatever they put on those Santelli specials... leather over something I think. Wish I had one, they're really nice grips.

Those are made by Leon Paul, I love them too! It's leather over plastic, don't try to bend them-they break!

[Superscribe]

i got 99 problems but a grip ain't one...

who keeps up with pop culture?

[akishier]

french. I am a counter-attacking epee fencer, and as I have long legs and arms, the extra reach of the grip gives me a even greater advantage... I love it.

[vincikai]

i also thk Belgian is a pretty cool grip for foil

[fencerchica]

I use PBT grips, the modified Belgian design. Regular Belgians don't feel quite right in my hand, and I like the slightly more angular design of the PBT's, as well as their quality and those gripping ridges they have. However, they're a little long for me, so I use a hacksaw to cut about a centimeter and a half off from the top of the trunk you grip between finger and thumb.

Things I like about them are the way that (gripping them properly - I used to have Army Fencer's problem too) they'll give good point control and delicacy, like a Visconti, but add the strength of the Belgian's middle-finger-prong. Plus they just fit my hand so damn well somehow.

[mike morgan]

i don't know how the hell i possibly could have used french before. my point control with them is HORRIBLE. still waiting for someone to show me why and how french is supposed to give more point control.

Used correcty the French grip allows for superb point control, power , and reach. I've used the French grip for
47 years and have found innumerable variations for holding it: close to the guard; mid-grip; by the pommel, etc.

The key to using the French grip is via primary control by the thumb and first finger. Yes, you must build up finger and hand strength, but there are many exercises for doing this. As for point control. the French grip has allowed for exquisite point control for at least two hundred years. But we should remember the basic tenent of epee fencing--MOVE THE POINT FIRST. Not the hand, wrist or arm. The fingers must move the point first, then the hand, arm, and body follows!

It is a fallacy that the French grip is weaker than pistol grips. The laws of physics apply equally to all. If you have the right angle of attack you can overpower anyone.

But it does take time and patience to learn the art and nuances of the French grip; however, it's well worth your time and effort to do so.

[Balaestra]

I started using a pistol grip (Uhlmann) about a week ago, and I love it!! It's really great compared to my old french grip, because I found that my hand got constantly cramped and started hurting because of how unfitted the French grip was to my hand.
But then, of course, I tried a couple of disengages with my new pistol gripped foil, and found that most of my point control had disappeared, I had been warned about that.

However, most of my point control has returned now and I have found that parrying Prime and Seconde and riposting from them has become much easier, and faster.

[achilleus]

Used correcty the French grip allows for superb point control, power , and reach. I've used the French grip for
47 years and have found innumerable variations for holding it: close to the guard; mid-grip; by the pommel, etc.

The key to using the French grip is via primary control by the thumb and first finger. Yes, you must build up finger and hand strength, but there are many exercises for doing this. As for point control. the French grip has allowed for exquisite point control for at least two hundred years. But we should remember the basic tenent of epee fencing--MOVE THE POINT FIRST. Not the hand, wrist or arm. The fingers must move the point first, then the hand, arm, and body follows!

It is a fallacy that the French grip is weaker than pistol grips. The laws of physics apply equally to all. If you have the right angle of attack you can overpower anyone.

But it does take time and patience to learn the art and nuances of the French grip; however, it's well worth your time and effort to do so.

French grips are weaker than pistol. While taking the blade at the right angle is important, the angle is much larger if your taking the blade with pistol grip. And much smaller if your taking the blade with french. Even smaller if your taking the a pistol grip blade with a french. Not impossible, but a smaller 'sweet spot'.

Also, the pistol and french grips both provide point control equal to that of the skill of the fencer using the blade.

[glowstix]

Used correcty the French grip allows for superb point control, power , and reach. I've used the French grip for
47 years and have found innumerable variations for holding it: close to the guard; mid-grip; by the pommel, etc.

The key to using the French grip is via primary control by the thumb and first finger. Yes, you must build up finger and hand strength, but there are many exercises for doing this. As for point control. the French grip has allowed for exquisite point control for at least two hundred years. But we should remember the basic tenent of epee fencing--MOVE THE POINT FIRST. Not the hand, wrist or arm. The fingers must move the point first, then the hand, arm, and body follows!

It is a fallacy that the French grip is weaker than pistol grips. The laws of physics apply equally to all. If you have the right angle of attack you can overpower anyone.

But it does take time and patience to learn the art and nuances of the French grip; however, it's well worth your time and effort to do so.

if you've fenced for 47 years then i believe you...i mean, why would you say all this stuff if it wasn't so for you. but for me, i used the french grip for a while because i read evangelista's books and was gullible.. ..now, like i said earlier in this thread, i use russian and i think it works fine for me. my hand just feels secure. my disengages are tighter especially in epee and i don't feel the need to grip really hard like i did with the french.

[glowstix]

Also, the pistol and french grips both provide point control equal to that of the skill of the fencer using the blade.

now that makes the most sense.