Purchasing Fencing Equipment

[Silvercloak]

Hi folks,

I'm still fairly new to this, I've been fencing for a year, off and on. And just did electric foil the other night. Loved it, but I HATE the pistol grip and that's all they offer at the club for their electric foils.

I'd like to buy my own french grip electric foil, the pistol grip really hurt my wrist and forearm. I use my wrist all day typing and mousing at work, so I can't have that.

Anyways, I was looking to buy one of the vniti foils with french grip, and there's ALL these options on it... Now I'm scared to buy one in case I buy something that's not compatible with my club's equipment.

Unfortunately my club's not doing any coaching over the summer, there's just "open training" and I'm so new to this that I don't know any other adults who fence. (It's a long story, but I'm so new, that the only people in my class are kids 20 years younger than me... very humbling.)

Any help?

Silvercloak

[irishfolker]

The only compatibility issue you should need to worry about is the socket, and your only choices are bayonet and 2-prong. This is determined by the body cord. You probably should go ahead and invest in a cord or two, as these are usually beaten up pretty badly by the kids at the club.

Don't worry about being 20 years older than your classmates. I'm older than the parents of all of my classmates. I'm 55 and I've been fencing for nearly 2 1/2 years now. The teenagers in my class call me "the cool old guy." They're a good bunch.

Welcome to the sport! I've got to pack my stuff up now and head to class.

[Purple Fencer]

Hi folks,

I'm still fairly new to this, I've been fencing for a year, off and on. And just did electric foil the other night. Loved it, but I HATE the pistol grip and that's all they offer at the club for their electric foils.

I'd like to buy my own french grip electric foil, the pistol grip really hurt my wrist and forearm. I use my wrist all day typing and mousing at work, so I can't have that.

Anyways, I was looking to buy one of the vniti foils with french grip, and there's ALL these options on it... Now I'm scared to buy one in case I buy something that's not compatible with my club's equipment.

Unfortunately my club's not doing any coaching over the summer, there's just "open training" and I'm so new to this that I don't know any other adults who fence. (It's a long story, but I'm so new, that the only people in my class are kids 20 years younger than me... very humbling.)

Any help?

Silvercloak

Give me a call at the office tonight after 7pm PST...818-567-2280 and I'll give you a hand.

[Silvercloak]

Give me a call at the office tonight after 7pm PST...818-567-2280 and I'll give you a hand.

Oh I ordered it already. Hopefully I ordered the right thing. I remember when I fought on Monday that the connection into the foil was a single screw like prong, so I figured that's the bayonet connection.

The machine that I connected to behind me had three little prongs, but I'm guessing that's pretty much standard?

I'm hoping I bought the right thing... t'wasn't cheap. :P

[Purple Fencer]

Oh I ordered it already. Hopefully I ordered the right thing. I remember when I fought on Monday that the connection into the foil was a single screw like prong, so I figured that's the bayonet connection.

The machine that I connected to behind me had three little prongs, but I'm guessing that's pretty much standard?

I'm hoping I bought the right thing... t'wasn't cheap. :P

Call me anyway....I'll be happy to explain. I'd do so now, but I'm heading out in a few minutes.

I'll say, tho, that you bought a VERY good blade! Vnitis are *insert Russian accent here* "Strong like tractor!"

[TodG]

The biggest issue most new people have with pistol grips is that they don;t offer the counterbalance of the French grip with pommel. Your hand is supporting the whole weight of the blade. You may mouse and type, but that has little to do with how you hold a foil. I am an IT professional and am on the computer all day, and fencing works different muscles.

You'll see very few French foils in competition - not that there is anything wrong with them, but there are advantages to the anatomical grip. Once you build up hand strength, pistol grips won't be a problem.

On the plus side, you can easily convert a French grip to a pistol grip if you change your mind later. You can't go the other way around.

[Silvercloak]

Call me anyway....I'll be happy to explain. I'd do so now, but I'm heading out in a few minutes.

I'll say, tho, that you bought a VERY good blade! Vnitis are *insert Russian accent here* "Strong like tractor!"

LOL, Hey, Sorry I didn't get around to calling you last night. We were mobbed by traffic going home last night and it took over an hour and half. After swearing at enough drivers and navigating my way home, I was hungry and tired and entirely forgot to call you.

Can I call Friday? I'm going to be busy tonight so I won't have a chance.

Silvercloak

[Silvercloak]

The biggest issue most new people have with pistol grips is that they don;t offer the counterbalance of the French grip with pommel. Your hand is supporting the whole weight of the blade. You may mouse and type, but that has little to do with how you hold a foil. I am an IT professional and am on the computer all day, and fencing works different muscles.

You'll see very few French foils in competition - not that there is anything wrong with them, but there are advantages to the anatomical grip. Once you build up hand strength, pistol grips won't be a problem.

On the plus side, you can easily convert a French grip to a pistol grip if you change your mind later. You can't go the other way around.

Really? I didn't think there were any advantages, just a perference in grip. I'm still quite new though. So if I decided to later on, I can change the grip on the foil I just bought? That's cool, glad to know I don't have to put down another $133 anytime soon if I can help it.

Silvercloak

[Purple Fencer]

LOL, Hey, Sorry I didn't get around to calling you last night. We were mobbed by traffic going home last night and it took over an hour and half. After swearing at enough drivers and navigating my way home, I was hungry and tired and entirely forgot to call you.

Can I call Friday? I'm going to be busy tonight so I won't have a chance.

Silvercloak

Sure...feel free to call me at home during the day, tho, since I won't be in the office tomorrow night..818-893-9746.

[Craig]

Arrange phone calls via PM (Private Message). This isn't Twitter.