Single Piece Italian Grip

[InFerrumVeritas]

Does anyone know of a manufacture who produces a single piece Italian Grip for foil? Preferably one with a false ricasso so that I may use french blades.

I have been using Triplette's Italian grip, but the fact that the crossbar is not attached to the grip means that it can twist at times, which can radically alter my point control if it happens mid-bout.

Please, spare me the comments about how obselete the Italian grip is, and all of that. I understand the statements and the reasoning behind them, but I am just not ready to switch to a pistol grip, as I have not found one that I find comfortable and well balanced.

[wahrman]

Have you looked at the stuff on AmFence's website?

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

[InFerrumVeritas]

Thanks.

[Stormbringer]

I guess that you want something where the ricasso and crossbar/quillions are a single piece (such as http://www.slithytove.org/pics/taped-foil.JPG or http://www.tcasfencing.com/prototype%20ricasso.JPG), as opposed to the crossbar/quillions being attached to the guard while requiring a separate, tube-like ricasso (like the Negrini or Allstar/Uhlmann models). Is this correct?

This type of grip is made by one Tom Rockwell, and his products are distributed by both AmFence (as Wahrman pointed out) and TCAS (http://www.tcasfencing.com/fencing_supplies.htm; see bottom of page).

It seems like they do not come with the notch necessary for an electric weapon, so a bit of work with a rotary tool may be necessary, if that is your goal.

[forethought]

Negrini makes excellent Italian guards, but they're not cheap, and neither is the shipping.

I have quite a few myself, and have been pleased with the workmanship.

[InFerrumVeritas]

The Negrini's are nice, but wow. That, with shipping, is basically the price of a complete weapon.

[fatfencer]

Does anyone know of a manufacture who produces a single piece Italian Grip for foil? Preferably one with a false ricasso so that I may use french blades.

I have been using Triplette's Italian grip, but the fact that the crossbar is not attached to the grip means that it can twist at times, which can radically alter my point control if it happens mid-bout.

Please, spare me the comments about how obselete the Italian grip is, and all of that. I understand the statements and the reasoning behind them, but I am just not ready to switch to a pistol grip, as I have not found one that I find comfortable and well balanced.

1) Couple of things. You are using the strap arent you? Otherwise this grip isn't worth a S@@@. It will pin it to your arm so that it won't "twist"

2) I use a lot of tape and often wind it from the crossbar down down the handle to the pommel. It helps especially when one uses the non-Negrini types where the handle does not mate into the crossbar.

3) I have Tom Rockwells stuff mainly, a couple of Negrini's. For a false ricasso I've tried Tom's separate ricasso. I find his stuff too heavy except the pommel isn't heavy enough!! Even the long epee pommels. I end up using those with a very short, cut down handle (from Tom) and a piece of flattened aluminum tubing with grippy tape for a ricasso. I use LP lead tape heavily covered by silicone tape and cloth tape. I don't want lead poisoning!!

The above, very firmly put together doesn't twist.

FF

[InFerrumVeritas]

To Fatfencer: It isn't the weapon that twists on me, but the crosspiece which twists in my fingers, even with the martingale.

[forethought]

Just a clarification on the grounds of terminology, but a martingale is a leather loop that is attached between the grip and the guard and is usually found on French grips; the fencer pus their four fingers into the loop when they grasp the weapon, the point being, back in the days of non-electric fencing, if they were to be disarmed the weapon wouldn't go flying about.

The retention device used with an Italian grip in the traditional Southern Italian fencing style is simply referred to as a wrist strap (there's an Italian word for it, but it escapes me at the moment).

Also, how is the crossbar twisting your fingers? Are you holding it as depicted in the pictures attached in this post?

[InFerrumVeritas]

Just a clarification on the grounds of terminology, but a martingale is a leather loop that is attached between the grip and the guard and is usually found on French grips; the fencer pus their four fingers into the loop when they grasp the weapon, the point being, back in the days of non-electric fencing, if they were to be disarmed the weapon wouldn't go flying about.

The retention device used with an Italian grip in the traditional Southern Italian fencing style is simply referred to as a wrist strap (there's an Italian word for it, but it escapes me at the moment).

Also, how is the crossbar twisting your fingers? Are you holding it as depicted in the pictures attached in this post?

Yes, that is infact exactly how I am holding it. Also thank you for the clarification on terminology, I didn't know that.

It is twisting, but I cannot pinpoint exactly when it begins to twist. I imagine that part of the problem is that Triplette's crossbar isn't attached to either the bell or the rest of the grip, which is what causes it to twist. I think to rectify it, I will use some Locktight and just attach it to the bell.

[JackOfHearts]

Yes, that is infact exactly how I am holding it. Also thank you for the clarification on terminology, I didn't know that.

It is twisting, but I cannot pinpoint exactly when it begins to twist. I imagine that part of the problem is that Triplette's crossbar isn't attached to either the bell or the rest of the grip, which is what causes it to twist. I think to rectify it, I will use some Locktight and just attach it to the bell.

I wouldn't really recommend triplette for an italian gripped weapon. I had one, but ended up replacing it with a Rockwell. Much better craftsmanship. Although I got my electric foil at thefencingpost.com, and I'm very pleased with it.

[InFerrumVeritas]

Eh, screw it. I decided to switch to a Belgian.

[erooMynohtnA]

All right! One for the good guys!

I mean, it's not a Visconti, but I guess if it was good enough for Golubistky, it will do.

[wahrman]

Was it the d'Artagnan comments at dinner Saturday?
Either way, good idea.

Eh, screw it. I decided to switch to a Belgian.

[forethought]

Eh, screw it. I decided to switch to a Belgian.

In that case, might I recommend Leon Paul's "Belgian" grip (second from the top)? I happen to prefer Belgians over most other orthopedic grips, and theirs is quite nice (I have a spare electric with one, and I'm never displeased when I use it).

[InFerrumVeritas]

In that case, might I recommend Leon Paul's "Belgian" grip (second from the top)? I happen to prefer Belgians over most other orthopedic grips, and theirs is quite nice (I have a spare electric with one, and I'm never displeased when I use it).

Their particular grip does not fit my hand well (I have large palms but shorter fingers, as well as slightly smaller than average hands). The one I found (don't remember the brand, and don't have my gear at hand) is much more comfortable. Thank you though.