So what type of Epee do YOU use?

[Zilverzmurfen]

I just received my latest order from allstar (GER) the other day.

Amongst the goods I have ordered are two BF Blue blades. I haven't mounted them yet but I was surprised how stiff they were... One of them seems ok -- for my taste, that is -- but the other three (I also ordered two BF Blues for a friend of mine) were SO stiff.

I really had expected them to be just a little softer. Anyway, I'll see how they perform and andjust themselves once I mount them and start breaking them in.

Oh, I lso ordered two different Zivkovic grips for try-outs. I am so excited to see how they feel! I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect grip for my hands. Thirteen years of searching...could these be it..? I'm very curious.

[howtobrew]

which Ziv grips did you get? I recently tried both the K2 and the Z grips and chose the Z. Normally I French grip, but I had a pistol-cut LP nonFIE that I wanted to keep using, and the Z complements it nicely. (I did have to take a square file to the hole because the fit was not very good, but that was a minor thing). The Z on the LP makes for a very light combination. I feel like Captain Feathersword! (comedic character on the Australian children's program The Wiggles)

I also have mounted a rubber-over-aluminum PBT French grip to a French cut LP nonFIE blade (which took some creative tang bending on my part to match the curvature of the hole in the grip) and this is my favorite epee. It feels like I am wielding a laser pointer!

The Z grip is as close as I have come to matching the feel I have with a French Grip.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by howtobrew

which Ziv grips did you get?

I got one KII and one GII.

Just from trying them in my hand (not mounted to any blade) I think that the GII will be my fave of them. It's difficult to tell how they will feel when mounted though. I'll do that next week.

Normally I fence with ortho grips but have recently been trying to fence a little with french grips. It's great fun! Buuuuut I'm still too weak so it feels great when I switch back to ortho grips again.

[Pauli]

What's the difference betw StM & BF.
If it's a stupid question, just post any link and I'll look it up myself.......(ahem, I know some people like you to search yourself b-4 asking..... )
Cheers
Pauli

[howtobrew]

Well first thing is that that BF is a French Forge and StM is a Ukrainian forge. And I don't know whether you are referring to regular steel or maraging steel blades.
I had a couple StM regular steel blades and it was good, but they only last about a year and get very soft and bendy before they break. I have not fenced with BF.

[CvilleFencer]

I use a BIII and a ZII and I just love them to death. Best grips ever! The S and G are nice as well but a bit to small for my hans! I hope the Ziv grips work out for you Z!

[broncofencer]

I use PBT's Non-FIE Which I believe is also a BF blade (not Positive) not quite as well balanced as the FIE model but as close to the FIE feel as I have ever seen.

[Katman]

I have some no name blade that I traded a book for with a club mate of mine. It gets the job done for when I want to fool around with epee.

[shlepzig]

I got a real grab bag of parts and such that I use.

BF Blue with Estoc Screwless Tip, Vniti guard, Visconti Large
BF White with french barrel with zip-tip Vniti guard Rambeau
Vniti with Estoc Screwless Vniti Guard and Belgian Grip
LP with Estoc Screwless Vniti Guard and Belgian Grip
STM with french tip, AFS Guard and Belgian Grip.

The BF Blue only just recently broke about a year later.
The BF White just took a bad bend which it is repeating often, not long for this world now. Both BF's had good authority and a nice feel not good for whipping about IMHO and tired the arms out when facing a foilist who just thought epee would be fun.
The Vniti is exceptionally whippy, almost noodly, great for lefties and people I want to flick on, not great for opponents with strong parries.
The LP is very light and quick, but has little authority on it's own. All in all I thin it is a good weapon.

Shlep

[KD5MDK]

You're not a fan of tip screws, are you shlepzig?

[Mizore]

is an Allstar non-FIE w/standard bell and an Allstar Belgian grip. Despite the moisture in the air here, it doesn't rust and feels authoritative but can whip around the bell for hand touches. My second is a Prieur France Lame non-FIE with a Leon Paul light bell and Belgian grip. It is light, flexible but also has authority. Sadly it rusts despite every effort to care for the blade.(which I clean and oil after every use and store in the driest place I can find.)

I'm starting to look for a new blade. FIE maybe or the LP non-FIE which I have heard so many people say is great. Hopefully something that doesn't rust so easily in the humid conditions here. Any recommendations?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Mizore

is an Allstar non-FIE w/standard bell and an Allstar Belgian grip. [---] I'm starting to look for a new blade. FIE maybe or the LP non-FIE which I have heard so many people say is great. Hopefully something that doesn't rust so easily in the humid conditions here. Any recommendations?

What forge is your Allstar blade?

In general my recommendation would be to get a blade that is 'coloured' (blue/gold/rainbow/whatever) as these -- from my experience -- tend to rust less than regular 'white' blades.


(Rust less? Do not rust as easily? Argh...hope you got my point! )

[LUDICROUS]

And colour rules...

*has a blue and a gold blade*

Just gotta get rainbow, now.