Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Joe biebel · 02-22-2006, 06:29 PM

I have a number of interesting things that I have done to equipment over the years that I think have some merit. I'm starting this thread with 2 useful ideas in the hope that some of you other geeks will contribute also. Do it with photographs if you can.

First mod. clear guard pad, and welded socket on Vniti aluminum guard.

Second mod. tag on body cord. Name on one side, telephone number on the other, held in place with heat-shrink tubing.

All of my gear is extremely well marked. I've even got stuff back that I left overseas.

Let's see what you got.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-22-2006, 06:35 PM

You loser, your grip matches your cord. I'm jealous.

Smyles · 02-22-2006, 06:52 PM

As you may have seen from another thread I've converted all my weapons to three pin, it's a small mod but has served me well

Also, don't know if you can really make it out from this picture but on my sabres I've added a little wedge to the end of the handle (inside the guard). Helps with "posting" with a sabre - not that that's very useful anyway!

Also, I'm mid way threough modding a hard golf case a la the "pimp my bag" thread. Nearly there and I'll post a few pics of that too when I'm done

Joe biebel · 02-22-2006, 06:55 PM

I had read about this a little while back but had not seen the photos. Cool!

Smyles · 02-22-2006, 07:04 PM

Why thank you

I really like the tagging idea... I'll be stealing that

Actually I have made one more mod to the foil sockets since this picture was taken - It was pointed out that the socket may protrude beyound the guard which would make the weapon illegal. To solve this I have shortened the metal part of the socket itself, drilling a new hole closer the the socket which I then flattened to bring it tighter to the guard. It can no longer be bent into an illegal position.

Purple Fencer · 02-22-2006, 07:12 PM

Joe...

Nice mods...but for myself, I really don't like the socket perm,anently attached to the guard. Sure, you have no bracket/guard connection issues, but it can sometimes be a real bear to rewire if the socket's close to the guard and I can't get my wrench around the nut.

Just a personal preference.

Joe biebel · 02-22-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Joe...

Nice mods...but for myself, I really don't like the socket perm,anently attached to the guard. Sure, you have no bracket/guard connection issues, but it can sometimes be a real bear to rewire if the socket's close to the guard and I can't get my wrench around the nut.

Just a personal preference.

Very True about the wrench. That's why when I do mods like this for others I do it for free. The special designed wrench I charge them $90.00 for! Thanks GM, I stole that one from them.

Purple Fencer · 02-22-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe biebel

Very True about the wrench. That's why when I do mods like this for others I do it for free. The special designed wrench I charge them $90.00 for! Thanks GM, I stole that one from them.

Only $90??? You're slipping....

Inquartata · 02-22-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smyles

Also, don't know if you can really make it out from this picture but on my sabres I've added a little wedge to the end of the handle (inside the guard). Helps with "posting" with a sabre - not that that's very useful anyway!

I can't see it very well, but if it's what I think it is it resembles a feature that some cavalry-sabre grips had---a swelling or thickening from about 2/3 of the way back from the guard down to the pommel end. Not a bad idea. How useful do you find it on a light fencing weapon?

PS A lot of sabre fencers hold the weapon by the pommel end of the grip, rather than at the guard end, these days. I don't know that I'd call it "posting", but it is not as useless a practice as you suggest.

penguin_2000 · 02-22-2006, 11:29 PM

Ok... no mods from me other than shortening the foil handle and filing it so it sits flush with a canted blade... but how many of you sabreurs add a palm swell to your handles? I don't add anything to my sabre handles...

KD5MDK · 02-23-2006, 12:01 AM

I don't, but if it aids with holding it down there I may give it a try, as that's my standard holding position.

Inquartata · 02-23-2006, 12:05 AM

I used to modify grips. I carved them out of wood, to fit my hand, with a palm swell and an underside that also swelled in the center, narrowed to either side and then thickened again at guard and pommel ends. Even drilled a hole in the pommel end, into which I tamped lead fishing weights to alter tha balance of the weapon. Coated it all in Shoe Goo.

I even mounted a cavalry sabre grip on one sabre, years ago.

I quit all that because I could never perceive any discernible difference in performance over regular grips. Lots of work for no real advantage.

Joe biebel · 02-23-2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Only $90??? You're slipping....

I also have a wrench version for military sales $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Purple Fencer · 02-23-2006, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe biebel

I also have a wrench version for military sales $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

And do you have a military part name to match??

"Manually-operated, high-impact, fibre-intrusive, materials securing unit (one each...olive drab)" == wood nail.

Smyles · 02-23-2006, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I can't see it very well, but if it's what I think it is it resembles a feature that some cavalry-sabre grips had---a swelling or thickening from about 2/3 of the way back from the guard down to the pommel end. Not a bad idea. How useful do you find it on a light fencing weapon?

PS A lot of sabre fencers hold the weapon by the pommel end of the grip, rather than at the guard end, these days. I don't know that I'd call it "posting", but it is not as useless a practice as you suggest.

That's pretty much what it is. I do tend to hold the grip near the end and find that this gives me a little extra strength/control over the standard grips. As for "posting" I meant EXTREME posting which I try from time to time... somethimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

Zilverzmurfen · 02-23-2006, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe biebel

tag on body cord. Name on one side, telephone number on the other, held in place with heat-shrink tubing.

I like the body cord tagging idea lots. However, I lack facilities for heat-shrink tubing...

KD5MDK · 02-23-2006, 06:41 AM

It's not as elegant, but printing your name/contact information on a small piece of paper and then taping it with clear packing tape ought to have the same effect.

Zilverzmurfen · 02-23-2006, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

It's not as elegant, but printing your name/contact information on a small piece of paper and then taping it with clear packing tape ought to have the same effect.

Yes. But as you said, not quite as elegant.

(I have my wires marked with a piece of duct tape folded over the wire as a "flag".)

yeoldearmourer · 02-23-2006, 08:30 AM

From the picture your foil is not legal it stick out past the bellguard. The sabre mod maybe illegal if your mod is pass the pommel for the over all length cant tell from the pic.

Smyles · 02-23-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeoldearmourer

From the picture your foil is not legal it stick out past the bellguard.

I realised that this may have been the case and modified the socket so it cannot pass the guard. I might post the reviewed picture if I have time tonight.

Quote:

The sabre mod maybe illegal if your mod is pass the pommel for the over all length cant tell from the pic.

The only mod on the sabre handle is to the handle itself and it doesn't extend outside the confines of the guard. I'll post a better one of this too if I have tme