Sizing

[RenegadeStorm88]

My parents are talking about getting me a fencer's starting kit for christmas, probobly from the Fencing.net store, what would be good gear to look into, and how do i figure out my sizes? For instance the jackets provided for practice i wear a 46, which is too big round the torso, but the 44 dosent have enough length in the arms. I do know that i wear a Med size mask, and i am also unsure on blades and handels to get (foil) right now im using a french grip, but most of the intermediates are using pistol grips, by the time christmas comes round i'll be an intermediate. I dunno, at this point i dont even know what i dont know, so any help is appreciated

[lefty_monster]

The vendors have sizing charts that are relevant to that particular line of clothing. Check yourself against one of their charts.

Try out a few different pistol grips at the club and see which one feels best. Take note of the name and manufacturer of the grip and order it. Or, order a few different likely candidates and pick the best one. Keep or sell the rejects. If you like the French grip, then you could stay with it. There's nothing wrong with the French if it's your preference. It's not an exclusively "beginner's" grip; there are plenty of high-level fencers using them.

Blades are a matter of preference and price range. I recommend asking your coach about the attributes of different ones and playing around with them a little. I can't give you the names of any good ones because I haven't fenced foil in so long. As you develop, your tastes will change and evolve and you'll find the type of blade that you like. Everyone has different tastes in blades.

[RenegadeStorm88]

Thank you very much! that helps alot!

[SJCFU#2]

My usual advice when asked this question is to look at the sizing charts and unless you are the bottom end of a size range then go up a size (your profile lists your age at 18, so while you may be not be getting any taller you may still have some filling in to do around the chest - when I was that age I wore a size 44 sport coat and had to have it altered to fit my then size 42 chest).

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by lefty_monster

If you like the French grip, then you could stay with it. There's nothing wrong with the French if it's your preference. It's not an exclusively "beginner's" grip; there are plenty of high-level fencers using them.

Not in foil there isn't.

[SJCFU#2]

Grips are a very personal thing.

French grips tend to be popular for club weapons because they are suitable for a wide variety of people (i.e. they tend to be equally uncomfortable for everyone). Even there you can find differences in thickness, stiffness and grip (leather over wood, rubber over plastic, etc).

Pistol grips vary drastically in size and shape, as do individual hands (for example, back when my wife fenced she favored a Belgian grip while I have always found them uncomfortable). The best starting point is probably looking around and asking people if you can see how their grip feels in your hand. You can also want to go to an event where a vendor is present (or better yet, a number of vendors) and try all their different grips. Just bear in mind that a grip may feel slightly different when it is by itself from how it will when it is part of a complete weapon.

Two other bits of advice:

First, you can start off with a French grip and change it later - it is more difficult to go the other way around without replacing the blade;

Second, many people recommend using a pistol grip that is a little smaller than what "feels" right, in order to encourage use of the fingers to manipulate the blade and to avoid the "death grip" so many beginners tend to fall back on.