LP Carbon Fiber handle equivalents?

[epeeinacup666]

I primarily use french grip (epee) and I just tried and loved the Leon Paul carbon fiber full length handle,but at $50+ each,not including the $10 tightening tool,I was wondering if there are any other grips out there that are similar or cheaper to the LP version...or are they the only ones making them?

BTW,I don't think I've ever paid more than $50 for a blade,much less for a grip!

Thanks in advance.

[CvilleFencer]

Well, I have to say you don't get a lot of sympathy from me as my pommels are close to $50 bones... LP are the only folks out there offering the Carbon Fiber handles, or indeed to even come up with that overall idea, that I know off. They are not cheap to make and being a fairly exclusive nitch item (sort of like my prefered pommels and grips) you should not expect a wealth of competitors or a drop in price anytime soon. The good news is that they hold up well if you use a good washer for them and the fact that they use pistol cut blades lets you bargain shop for a super low cost blade (shudder) to help offset the price difference...

[epeeinacup666]

Thanks a lot for the info,Cville...I guess I better start saving up for them now.

50 bucks for your pommels?!?!...those must be some damn fine pommels there,boy-o!

[Rocdoc]

...my pommels are close to $50 bones... They are not cheap to make and being a fairly exclusive nitch item (sort of like my prefered pommels and grips)

My curiosity is peaked...What kind of pommels and grips are you using CvilleFencer?

Also...question about carbon fiber grips...I know that they must be lighter. Besides lightening the overall weight of the weapon, don't they move the center of gravity further out on the blade? Does this positively or negatively change the balance of the weapon? It seems like one would want the COG right at the thumb and forefinger spot on the grip.

Just curious.

Thanks.

[epeeinacup666]

The weapon I used with that carbon fiber grip does have it's COG a bit more towards the tip (if the COG can be assumed to be about roughly 2 inches from the bell) and the grip itself is pretty darn light compared to the usual types of french grips,but the better control of the tip you gain by using the CF grip more than makes up for the loss of the 'normal' COG...at least for me...Plus,I guess if you wanted to balance out the weapon more to your personal liking,you could probably add some type of weights inside of the grip(washers,nuts,etc.)to balance out more.

Just my $0.02.

[telkanuru]

I personally find the carbon fiber grips much much much too light to use, and instead opt for the PBT grips and pommels, which are fairly hefty.

PS- You get what you pay for with blades. Spend the cash.

[HDG]

My curiosity is peaked...What kind of pommels and grips are you using CvilleFencer?

Platinum

[KidLazy]

My curiosity is peaked...What kind of pommels and grips are you using CvilleFencer?

Probably Shermasport's two pieces pommel.

[CvilleFencer]

Probably Shermasport's two pieces pommel.

Ding Ding, that would be them. My current favorite setup is the new F.net colored TI bell guard (or a good ol' Vniti TI guard on my older blades), F.net or LP socket, Coach Reith (aka sex toy grip, if you have seen one you probably get the joke) French grip and Schermasport 2 piece pommels with a nice puffy leather bell pad. The grip and the pommel I get from Absolute, the rest from F.net. Blades are mostly BF blue FIE but I have sort of a variety...

The grips are rubber surgical type tubing over metal when means I can put them in a vice and bend them to get the curve that I like. The pommels are great because the tighten up really tight, have a nice weight and grip surface for me and the two piece design keeps them from coming lose easily. Also they are a nice long ball shape which makes it easy when I cover the whole shabang in about 20' of cloth tape...

[CvilleFencer]

Also...question about carbon fiber grips...I know that they must be lighter. Besides lightening the overall weight of the weapon, don't they move the center of gravity further out on the blade? Does this positively or negatively change the balance of the weapon? It seems like one would want the COG right at the thumb and forefinger spot on the grip.

You are right in that they move the balance point further up the blade. LP also sells a heavy weight hex nut that helps a little bit for use in their plastic pistol grips but that I recommend as well for the Carbon Fiber grips. And do make sure you use a fat, large washer.

Weird thing about weapon balance though. It is a very personal thing and depends on a great many factors of style, strength and preference. Some people like a more forward weighted blade as that complements their style. Others want the weight back towards the hand as much as possible. Others fall somewhere in between. In other words, what is just right for me may be horribly off balance wise for you.

But yes, an LP CF grip on a heavier blade like a Vniti or a PS has a very distinct feel to it and the balance point is very forward on the blade depending a bit on what type of guard you use. If you are using a lightweight blade like the LP blades (that the grip was after all presumably designed to be used with) it is not so extreme and a little less outside the mainstream for balance purposes.

The LP CF grips also have another big advantage that should be noted. They can be used with any blade regardless of the cut of the tank, a pretty sweet trick indeed. This makes them a great choice for someone who already has some quality (IE pricey) pistol cut blades but wants to get into pommeling.

[KD5MDK]

PS- You get what you pay for with blades. Spend the cash.

I think epeeinacup666 has enough time spent fencing (and enough success) to know what he wants in blades.

[Rocdoc]

Thanks for the info guys! One reads, and hopefully learns.

[Alex_Paul]

Sorry that they are so expensive!

Carbon is a real pain to work with unfortunately and they are hand made in fairly small batches,

They are best use dwith our blades to keep the weight of the weapon down and allow you to pommel/post with them.

There isn't much point in using them if you don't plan to pommel for extra reach.

Alex

[KD5MDK]

I don't remember him pommeling much, but then I'm usually watching the floor...

[epeeinacup666]

Sorry that they are so expensive!

Hey,no problem for me! I really like the FC grip not only for lightness,but as an older fencer,it gives me more control of my actions with the blade and tip(posting with it or not).And really,if one thinks something can make them a better fencer,cost shouldn't be too big a factor...grip-wise,at least.

I don't remember him pommeling much, but then I'm usually watching the floor...

If that's about me,I do take offence...you should know that I always aim for the scoring box!

[KD5MDK]

Yet you got that red card to deliberate touch not on opponent on the floor.

[epeeinacup666]

Touché.