Part-time pommeling/grip-switching

[El Chucko]

I am married to my grip (an LP Belgian ultragrip), but I wonder if I should take on a mistress.

For consistency sake, many people say that one should find a blade and grip that they like, and stick to them. This may be especially true for those that use a French grip and post (pommel it). On the other hand, variety is the spice of life. Different opponents call for different tactics, and so-on.

What is your opinion on learning to pommel a French grip epee, for only occasional use?

[oiuyt]

For consistency sake, many people say that one should find a blade and grip that they like, and stick to them.

Many people say that one should choose a weapon and stick to it.

Others realize that by fencing 2 or all 3 that you get more playmates.

Depends on what you're looking for, what benefits you, specifically, experience, and what drawbacks you, specifically, experience. Other people's opinions and experience can be a guide, but you need to figure out what's best for you yourself.

That said, if your goal is performance results I would suggest from my own experience and observations that you are likely to do best using a consistent grip. Feel free to periodically play with the other to see if you enjoy it more or do better with it, but during the competitive parts of your season I'd avoid such changing up (unless your experimentation has shown THAT to be most effective for you).

-B

[yeoldearmourer]

I for one favor the french grip in epee but I would carry a pistol for some fencers I would do better with the pistol but overall I prefer the french grip. I would use both in Practice

[telkanuru]

The game is very different (as is the amount of hand muscle required), so I would classify it as at best unadvisable to switch back and forth.

[howtobrew]

Ah. I read the poll wrong: I thought it was a question of a "normal" grip on a French handle vs, posting it, not posting vs. Pistol.

I think it is easy to switch back and forth during a bout between normal and posting, depending on what the rhythm seems to call for. I have good strength with a traditional grip on a French handle and don't have problems with pistol grippers trying to over power me. I like being able to shift my grip quickly and surprise my opponent with the extra length for the point.

Posting (solely) with the handle bent down at a high angle is a different style from traditional Frenching and I have had coaches tell me to not mix styles, for fear of Jack of all trades, Master of none. I think there is some truth in that.

My $.02
HtB

[noahz]

I've been switching back and forth for the last two months or so. Obviously, you can't do some of the actions with the french that you can with the pistol. However, practicing with a french hasn't hurt my pistol game at all and may have even helped it.

I don't fee ready to fence in a competition with a french grip yet though.

[yeoldearmourer]

If you read the rules the only time you can change you grip on a French grip to posting it is when you are out of fencing range. Another you cant throw the grip forward while fencing you must retreat first then change on the way you grip it.

[veeco]

I voted: "It's easier to focus on pommeling and switch to pistol on occasion".

Let me try and explain my POV:

I think that there are lots of things you can do with a French grip, that you cannot do well with a pistol.
I think that there are some situations where a pistol grip might be called for, for certain people.

However, IMO, the French grip should be the default grip you start your bouts with. It allows you to play with the other fencer more, puts more emphasis on creativity in your game, and will provide you with a good idea of what the other fencer fences like. IOW You will be able to better probe your opponent.

But the number of situations where you will be fine or need to fence with a French grip is greater than the number of situations where you will need a pistol grip to make a difference.

[Mr Epee]

A few top fencers I've seen using both.

Tamir Bloom
Sandro Cuomo
Cody Mattern
Fabrice and Jerome Jeanette

And the list goes on...

I had a Ukranian coach for while who had me working with a French grip for about 4 months. I didn't use it for competition, but learned tons about fencing in the process. If nothing else, it makes you focus much more on simple technique and distance. However, becoming serious with a french grip is a very very long process.

[jdoiv]

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php...d2=pistol+grip

[El Chucko]

For those who do post:

What is a good, light FIE blade besides the LP folded-steel-thingy?

[veeco]

BF FIE blues are my blade of choice.

[dukeofdoom]

From the design of the poll and the discussion, it appears that most participants consider the opportunity to "post" or "pommel" as the primary reason to employ a french grip. This is the smallest of the benefits conferred by the french grip.

I agree with Veeco, both with respect to the choice of grip and to the blade of choice.

[prototoast]

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php...d2=pistol+grip

It's amazing what a difference the little things can make.

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php...pistol+grip%22