Epee Grips

[chinbeard]

Does anyone have any experience with both the AF leather FG and the Uhlmann leather FG? I'm asking this because I've used a practice foil from AF that had a leather grip, and it wasn't as curvy as others, and I'm wondering if their epee grips have the same design.

I'm also looking at getting one of the Zivkovic handles. I'm liking the idea of the Z or ZII, because they look more comfortable. The thing I hate about most ortho grips is that the heels dig into my wrist/forearm when I beat.

Unfortunately, nobody at my club uses them, so I can't try one out. I have medium to smallish hands (glove size 8.5-9). The Zivkovic website isn't very informative as far as which handles I can attach to an epee (except the B).

Also, which blade should I get? There are several different "cuts" of the StM available (Visconti, Belgian, French, etc...), which one should I get, or is there a significant difference?

[SJCFU#2]

Does anyone have any experience with both the AF leather FG and the Uhlmann leather FG? I'm asking this because I've used a practice foil from AF that had a leather grip, and it wasn't as curvy as others, and I'm wondering if their epee grips have the same design.

I suspect that if you were to order a certain grip from almost anyone you would get the same grip whether it was for foil or épée (it's not like they need to keep both insulated and uninsulated French grips).

I'm also looking at getting one of the Zivkovic handles. I'm liking the idea of the Z or ZII, because they look more comfortable. The thing I hate about most ortho grips is that the heels dig into my wrist/forearm when I beat.

Unfortunately, nobody at my club uses them, so I can't try one out. I have medium to smallish hands (glove size 8.5-9). The Zivkovic website isn't very informative as far as which handles I can attach to an épée (except the B).

Almost any grip can be fitted to any blade. Some just take a little more fine tuning due to variances in the width of the square section of the tang and the bore of the grip.

Also, which blade should I get? There are several different "cuts" of the StM available (Visconti, Belgian, French, etc...), which one should I get, or is there a significant difference?

Assuming you have already settled on a single make of blade (and the STM is probably a good choice for a non-FIE blade), the only real distinction is the length of the tang. French grips require a full length tang. Pistol grips require a much shorter tang (exactly how short may depend on the grip). Personally I prefer to order blades with a French tang and cut them down to fit my own grips, but that's because I use a Visconti-large. Most people do fine simply ordering a tang cut for a pistol grip.

[needle]

I'm also looking at getting one of the Zivkovic handles. I'm liking the idea of the Z or ZII, because they look more comfortable. The thing I hate about most ortho grips is that the heels dig into my wrist/forearm when I beat. Unfortunately, nobody at my club uses them, so I can't try one out. I have medium to smallish hands (glove size 8.5-9). The Zivkovic website isn't very informative as far as which handles I can attach to an epee (except the B).

Zickovic customer service is incredible!!! I was in a similar situation, called them, explained the problem. They sent me several grips to try, no strings. I paid for the one I liked, and sent the rest back to them. My best experience with a fencing vendor to date.

[Tomas N]

The Z's are really strange grips. They are unlike any other grip out there and, at least for me, give severe hand cramps after short use. You have no leverage at all against the wrist with a Z grip, which I think most people can use. The K is much like an Italian Visconti, but without the wrist pain. You can order something similar (superior?) from PBT.

Tomas

[Meteoric Iron]

The Z's may look strange, but the Z (Not the Z II) gives my foil use a freedom I haven't known with any other grip except a modified Russian. And the color I chose makes it easy to spot against the tournament floor edgings of dozens of blades. Sorry, I don't know if this will translate into epee-nese.

[jkdjeff]

What's a good (pistol) grip to try for epee? I've been fencing foil with a medium Visconti (from BG if that matters) and want something that will give a similar feel, with maybe a bit more control of the heavier blade.

I don't want to switch to French grip for epee, because I think I'd get too confused switching back and forth between grips.

[KD5MDK]

You could use a medium Visconti

[jkdjeff]

You know, that'd probably work.

I think my brain had checked out for the day when I posted that.

[Shi no Tenshi]

I personally use the Zivkovic B grip, but have a club mate who uses the Z. I tried a Z-II and didn't care for it as much, but the Z works quite well for epee in our experience. Zivkovic grips are something you just have to try to see if you like the feel, it seems.

[gatsby]

if i were you i'd just stick with either a small or medium visconti. zivs are a very personal choice and its hard to pick unless youve actually got an assortment in front of you

[chinbeard]

What's this one?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/spo/575985172.html

[kuroutesshin]

That's an odd one... it looks almost like a modified Spanish offset, or even a Gardere. I can't say for sure, though.

[forethought]

What's this one?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/spo/575985172.html

It's one of the Spanish variants, the one that is deemed illegal by most, on the basis that any grip that accepts a French pommel that is not a French grip and has prongs is illegal.

[jkdjeff]

I think I might try a Zivkovic grip at some point just to see if I like it, my club's armory room has a bunch of them to try the feel of.

I think I'll probably try one on a foil first since I've been fencing that for a few months, not an epee which I'm just considering my first purchase of.

[SJCFU#2]

I think I might try a Zivkovic grip at some point just to see if I like it, my club's armory room has a bunch of them to try the feel of.

I think I'll probably try one on a foil first since I've been fencing that for a few months, not an epee which I'm just considering my first purchase of.

If you really have no idea exactly what you want for a grip yet then you may want to just buy a French for now. They generally cost a couple of dollars less and when you do figure out exactly what you want it will be easy enough to cut the tang down for a pistol grip.

[chinbeard]

One thing I forgot to mention:

When I'm defending my inside low line, I've found it considerably more difficult to parry with both Russian and Visconti grips (though it was a bit easier with a Russian) than with a French grip, because it seems like I had to move my arm more. Is this a technique problem, or a trade-off for those grips? If it's the second problem, which grips are better for such parries?

[Mr Epee]

Chinbeard,

Low-inside... I assume that you are talking about the 7-line.

1. This is not a particularly important parry in epee fencing, as it is not a very good place for an opponent to attack. It's an extremely deep target that can't be reached without extreme exposure. Also, when things collapse to the point when it is an available target, there are much better options than 7. So... I wouldn't make your choice of grips based on that particular parry.

2. The amount need to move your arm is directly related to the distance of your elbow from your body. Sometimes it's a little (elbow far away).... sometimes it's a lot (elbow near).... The amount you should move your arm is dictated by the situation. If you need to move it a certain amount, then that's ok... maybe I'm not understanding your situation, but you may want to have someone check out your technique.

[IvorDarcy]

I use a Zivkovic BIII and wouldn't use any other grip now. It is comfortable, comes in a few colors and the heel does not dig in.
Zivkovic's customer service is indeed excellent.

[chinbeard]

Ok, I guess I need to go back to the drawing board. It turns out that I might actually like visconti grips, but I can't possibly know that until I hold one PROPERLY. Last night, my caught me holding an ortho grip somewhat like a syringe. Apparently, that's why I lose all point control and my fingers really hurt when I don't use a French grip.

But I have read about some orthos being better for point control than others. Which is the best?

Thanks

[Chuck F.]

As far as curvy, leather French grips, you may have a hard time finding one you like.

One of my fencers fell in love with a nice one that we think may have come from Blade several years ago. When I went back to Blade, though, what they are selling now is straighter and boxier.

Another friend of mine acquired a couple of used FIE foils with nice blue leather French grips, but we can'r figure out where they came from either.

I don't use French grips personally, but I like to try and help my friends find gear that they like. Let me tell you, a nice leather French grip is hard to find!

Out of the ones that are out there, Uhlmann are OK. I also got one from FDN that was nice (maybe an Uhlmann, actually. Ask Craig).