Advice on Grips

[Immelmann]

Hello,

I'm a newcomer to fencing, and I have really enjoyed the sport so far. I use an epee, and I've gone enough to fencing club to where I'm seriously considering buying my own blade (dry).

So comes my question: French grip or Pistol grip? I know its a personality thing, but I was interested in the relative pros and cons of each. I've gotten answers from my friends in the club, but its a cult of pistol grip-users. Not saying that's a bad thing, but just looking from some outside advice.

Thanks

[KD5MDK]

Did you search the forum to see if anyone else has posted on this topic? There should be at least two threads about grips on the front page or two.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

As you're just starting, and you're surrounded by people who like pistol grips, you probably want to stay with a pistol grip. French for epee is fine, but it's better utilized by someone who is taught by someone who can focus you on the strengths, and help you compensate for the weaknesses.

The two threads you should check out are the "pommeling" thread and the "pistolos" thread... or whatever odd word was created for the latter.

[Insipiens]

And are you really fencing dry épée? Does your dry épée have an electric type tip?

[parrythis]

As others have suggested, you should probably go with what is in common use in your club. Once you have a little more experience, you might want to give a French grip a try. Only you can decide which one you like better. I went through four stages of "favorite grip" before finally settling on the French grip as my preference.

HI'm seriously considering buying my own blade (dry).

This is, perhaps, more concerning than your choice of grip. Fencing epee dry is like trying to kiss your girlfriend while wearing a hazmat suit. It's just not very gratifying. I am suggesting that purchasing a dry epee might be a waste of money. Unless your club fences a lot of dry epee, you will quickly find yourself wanting electric gear. Unlike the other weapons, no special lame or mask is needed so an electric epee and bodycord is not that much more expensive than a dry one.

[peet]

And since you can use an electric epee to fence dry but not the reverse, it's probably the more sensible choice.

The only time I'd say it makes sense to buy a dry epee is when your club absolutely only does dry fencing; but in that case, ummm... I'd say... uhh...




Find another club.

-p

[Immelmann]

Well, we're a club of college students, which is to say, poor. I don't think there's a piece of electric equipment in the whole of the club.

As for the advice, I appreciate it, and thanks for the thread directs.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Well, we're a club of college students, which is to say, poor. I don't think there's a piece of electric equipment in the whole of the club.

As for the advice, I appreciate it, and thanks for the thread directs.

I amend my previous response then---- if you want competitive success, you should probably be learning on the grip the people around you can help you with. But if you're learning in an atmosphere that is so NOT focused on competition that there's no electric gear, do whatever seems most fun. You still won't get as much from the french grip as you might with someone to help you along the way, and that might frustrate you....

But if you're worried about having fun rather than eventual competitive results..... do whatever seems more fun.

[slow_learner]

I'm a newb who has been pondering the same issue but for foil.

FWIW, the other day I came across this idea in the Elaine Cheris book (found it through Google Books): starting with the French grip is like learning to drive a standard shift, whereas pistol grip is more like automatic. Her point being that with cars it is easier to go from manual to automatic than the opposite, so if you know you will always want to "drive" pistol, start with pistol. If you're not sure, start with French--switching will be a cinch later.

I am going with French for now, though my club follows the other "cult."

[InFerrumVeritas]

I'm a newb who has been pondering the same issue but for foil.

FWIW, the other day I came across this idea in the Elaine Cheris book (found it through Google Books): starting with the French grip is like learning to drive a standard shift, whereas pistol grip is more like automatic. Her point being that with cars it is easier to go from manual to automatic than the opposite, so if you know you will always want to "drive" pistol, start with pistol. If you're not sure, start with French--switching will be a cinch later.

I am going with French for now, though my club follows the other "cult."

For foil, pistol. French has no advantage there.

[foibles]

The first two fingers and the thumb, traditionally, have been referred to as the "manipulators". For concise, accurate movements these three digits exerted primary control of the blade. The rest of the fingers added support and kept the blade in hand.

It was believed that learning point control and feel of the blade was often more effective with a french grip as it's shape lent itself well to teaching the student proper use of said "manipulators".

If you get a french grip epee and decide you don't like it, with a bit of effort the tang can be cut down and a pistol grip afixed. The reverse is not also true.

Just a thought.