Spanish offset?

[S. Hunter]

I have an italian grip epee (Classic), and was looking at convertin my two french grip FIE ones, but the price of italian bell guards is completely through the roof, so I am looking for an alternative to spending 80-100$ a pop just to convert them. Does anyone here have experiance with spanish offset grips, or can anyone comment on how one handles and is used compared to either italian or french. (I don't like normal pistol grips, they feel funny, so don't suggest one!)

[Tomas N]

Only way to know is to try one out. If you were in Meadville, I'd lend you a grip I have but never use!

I don't think you can stick a classic italian grip onto a regular french foil blade. I think the italian grip is too long for the tang. Anyone else out there know about this?

Tomas

[DangerMouse]

Only way to know is to try one out. If you were in Meadville, I'd lend you a grip I have but never use!

I don't think you can stick a classic italian grip onto a regular french foil blade. I think the italian grip is too long for the tang. Anyone else out there know about this?

Tomas

There are two types of Italian grips. True ricasso and false ricasso. The ones that use a false ricasso will work on a french grip tang blade. For a true ricasso, you need a blade specifically designed for italian grips.

[vraptor]

Danger Mouse is absolutely correct. However, don't give up hope about converting to Italian. There is nothing carved in stone that says that the quillions have to be riveted to the bell guard. In fact, if you don't, you have an easier time wiring an electric weapon.

Call Triplette and ask for an Italian grip with quillion, handle, and pommel. You're going to make your own false ricasso from a short section of half-inch copper tubing and you're going to use a normal guard. They make the grip in two sizes, so if you have a large hand, you're going to want the shorter handle. This may seem odd, but believe me, that's what you want. If you have a smaller hand, order the longer handle. There is about a half inch of difference between the two.

When you get the parts, assemble the weapon and measure the length from the back of the bell guard to the bottom of the quillion. You will need to cut the copper tubing an eighth of an inch or so longer. I recommend a tubing cutter so that you get the ends square. If you don't get them square, your bell guard will be cocked at an angle when the weapon is assembled. If the weapon is electric, snip out a notch to allow the wire to pass. If you're using french blades, you may have to adjust the length of the tang with a hacksaw or dremel tool with a cutting wheel.

Triplette makes a very attractive Italian grip and it is very sturdy. I have two foils and an epee, all electric, that have these grips and I like them very much. They don't cause nearly as much hand fatigue as my pistol grips and they are more forgiving than french grips. Your game will have to change a little when you go Italian, but I think you'll enjoy it.

[equine]

Before you tryn to build your own ricasso get in touch with Tom Rockwell. He is a machinist that makes all kind of Italian weapons, false ricasso, etc. He is an all around topshelf guy and his fees are cheap. He just off set the ricasso on my epees and foil, gave me some really cool plastic and wooden handles and the cost...$50. His email is trockwell@stny.rr.com. Anybody/everybody that uses Italian weapons should know this guy.