Total newbie, please be gentle.

[Li'Santo]

If I was to want to hang a set of Epee in my house for a display, what would be the best based on looks? I've been looking around and have seen some epees, but I don't like the pistol grip look. And I've noticed there are a lot of options for differant things. Again, i'm looking for the display of crossed Epees. Any help is much appreciated, I understand you guys are mostly above such a question so if you choose not to help, i'd understand.

[wheeringa]

My friend, your question is more than worthy of a reply. Dont put youself down so soon! I personally like the look of BF blades just because they look more like a shiny rapier than whatever the others look like In terms of grips, I have a pistol grip covered with a thin brown leather tennis raquet grip and a brass pommel. It looks very nice and I always get comments on how great it looks. Anyway theres my opinion and hopefully many more opinions will follow!

[HDG]

For display purposes only, I would recommend Italian grips.

[Purple Fencer]

I've got a client who just bought a new epee for that same purpose....but it's fully functional and has the same French grip he normally uses...just in case he needs an extra working one!

[FoilyDeath]

I saw somebody with a Burbery coloured pad and handle on their foil at the IFAs....not particularly relevant, but disturbing, and not entirely off topic.

[yeoldearmourer]

We have two foils from the 84 gold medal winner in women foil. That we display above the fire place.

[Inquartata]

Heh. Displaying epees! How gauche! Why not just go with a painting of Elvis on velvet and be done with it?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Italian grips, or French. Leather-wrapped.

[clagen]

Burberry pads, innit? Where might we find these fencing chavs?

[Li'Santo]

Wonderful, thanks all, so if I wanted some Italian grips, non-pistol style, on a BF Blade, what web-site, would I be looking for? And do you think i'd have to buy them in parts and put them together or would I beable to purchase some already in tact? And again thanks guys, you've been very kind.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by Li'Santo

Wonderful, thanks all, so if I wanted some Italian grips, non-pistol style, on a BF Blade, what web-site, would I be looking for? And do you think i'd have to buy them in parts and put them together or would I beable to purchase some already in tact? And again thanks guys, you've been very kind.

Consider S+M multi-colored blades if you like a modern look. I would suggest Vniti if you prefer a stable pre-aged look.

If it is just for display consider dummy tips. They are a short solid cylinder, look like electric tips but would be much cheaper. Almost any fencer could find some used, dead tips if you prefer. Or PM me and I can send you some tips.

I think you could get them intact. Talk to the people at American Fencing. They do sport fencing and have reenactment items so could handle almost any style you have in mind. I expect other vendors could also.

[Li'Santo]

Ah, so if I bought one, which I found one on Blue Gauntlets web-site its a Vniti Epee, it won't have a tip on it? I didn't even know I'd have to buy a tip at all.

Also, i've been unable to find any Italian handles.

[chiiluver]

http://www.amfence.com/html/grip_pics.html

Black plastic grip there. Pretty cheap.

http://www.amfence.com/html/10.html

They sell false ricasso grips. Expensive, but you can convert anything you already have into an italian grip.

http://www.amfence.com/html/classical.html

Near the end, there's a full epee (electric/non) with a false ricasso.

Just to state, there aren't epees built with true ricassos because they're originally forged directly on a foil blade. So your next best bets are these things. Good luck with your display!

[twisterfencing]

Originally Posted by Li'Santo

If I was to want to hang a set of Epee in my house for a display, what would be the best based on looks? I've been looking around and have seen some epees, but I don't like the pistol grip look. And I've noticed there are a lot of options for differant things. Again, i'm looking for the display of crossed Epees. Any help is much appreciated, I understand you guys are mostly above such a question so if you choose not to help, i'd understand.

Li'Santo:

A Gentelman/man who used to be in the fencing verdors business started a company just for what I think you are looking for. His name is Walter Triplette.

Go to this web site and see if this is what you are looking for.

http://www.zenwarriorarmory.com/

Gary Spruill

[Li'Santo]

Thanks a million twister, unfortunately i'm at work and our internet is absurdly retarded in the sence that they block 95% of web-sites. So I can't look up zenwarriorarmory. I will however put it in my favs, and check them out later at home.
I made my purchase tonight however and again i'd like to thank everyone for the input and help. I went with a Vniti, and a leather French grip so I hope it's what I was looking for, if not, oh well. LOL, anyways again thanks guys.

[Li'Santo]

Hey guys, I just wanted to put this out there. I continued to search because beautiful swords are a passion. I came across this web-site,

http://www.negrini.com

HDG recomended the Italian grips, this site was the first time i've seen them offered. Beautiful indeed, certainly these are beautiful weapons. Even though I have one coming I will purchase one of these also. Quick question however.
Once I enroll in a fencing school, would I be able to use this Italian epee in classes?

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by Li'Santo

HDG recomended the Italian grips, this site was the first time i've seen them offered. Beautiful indeed, certainly these are beautiful weapons. Even though I have one coming I will purchase one of these also. Quick question however.
Once I enroll in a fencing school, would I be able to use this Italian epee in classes?

Yes.

Well, OK, I can't speak for your coach. And Italian weapons are rare in modern fencing because they are functionally at a disadvantage to both French and pistol grips. But they're perfectly legal and you can still do the same actions as everyone else, just with not quite as much reach or strenghth.

[Gav]

Y'know it's only the US and classical-fencing-nut clubs in other countries that would even consider using an italian gripped weapon.

Depends what you want.
Do you want to have fun and compete? Don't use an italian grip.
Do you want to have fun fun and not compete? Then use an italian grip.

[forethought]

Li' Santo:

I've purchased a few Italian foils from Negrini and an electric Italian epee, and their quality is quite excellent (which is good considering how expensive they are). What is going to kill you, however, is the shipping to get it over here, so be forewarned.

Also, yes, you can use an Italian epee/foil in competitions. Finding someone to instruct you how to use the grip to its full potential may be hard, unless you find someone who teaches, or who has had previous instruction in the Italian school, but please don't let people tell you it's a useless grip; about the only things it doesn't accommodate easily is the French parry of prime and certain "in-fighting" positions, but for me that's fine, because with the addition of a wrist strap, the Italian tends to have more leverage for opposing blade actions.

[JackOfHearts]

Meh, I just find an italian grip to be more comfortable (Yes, I'm weird, get over it). You can order an electric one through The Fencing Post, and I've found the foil to be pretty decent. Still haven't gotten around to getting that epee...

[Li'Santo]

Thanks guys, great opinions from you all and I appreciate it. Also jack, thanks for that other link to some Italian epees. and the shipping is pretty high from Negrini, in fact it's real high lol. But price isn't a concern on this one.
Again thanks guys, really nice of you all.