Just thought I’d make myself familiar with the forum. I’m new to fencing. Took a class with six or so lessons and we finished with a class epee tournament (I took 2nd, yay me!). Now I’m an official club member and practicing three days a week. Totally hooked and love it. The class went over the basics of foil and “right of way”, then we focused epee. Now in practice its pretty much only foil, mainly to learn the techniques and get a better understanding of the sport in general. I’m using a French Grip (and pretty much the only one in club!). I found the Pistol Grip hurt my hand too much so I switched…only to find that I do not have as much point control as with the Pistol, however, I’ve decided I will probably benefit more from learning with a French Grip because I will have to adapt to develop better hand control. I may consider using a Pistol Grip for competition though…and use the French for practice. I do not enjoy foil as much as I do epee, I find it frustrating, especially as a newbie…
But last night something happened. I learned Sabre. I liked it. I liked it a lot. So this may definitely be my weapon of choice with epee coming second. We’ll see what happens.
Anyways…my Instructor suggested this site after I had some questions that he was unsure about. I did some research and found valuable answers. And FYI, I will probably not be getting an Italian Grip Foil now (or if I do, I won’t mention it to anyone here), and I will look into getting some arnica cream for bruising, because I have been getting some ridiculous bruises (pic). Thank you all. Very informative. I think this forum will be a valuable resource for me.
Hello Lady! Let me say this to start: Some grips take more getting used to than others, but it's alright to stick with a french. There are many different types of pistol grips out there, though, so feel free to try them out if you can and see which ones suit you best. I personally fence with either a belgian or the classical italian grip, and both serve me pretty well. I just keep a belgian just in case I get a ref who doesn't like italians. As to the bruising, wear them proudly! They do make padding and protectors for certain areas, so if they're a problem, it's something you can look into. Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy your stay.
Aha! So there is someone who uses an Italian grip! I don't understand why they are so "shunned", they seem practical enough to me. I might have to get one afterall just to try it out.
Thanks for the welcome...and yes, I am proud of my bruises!
Just keep in mind that I don't compete much. If you are going to get into serious competition, a pistol grip is something you should invest in. But if you just fence primarily for fun or fitness, use whatever you like. If you can find someone with an italian grip to try out first, I'd recommend it. Of course, I recommend that with any grip. Try before you buy is kind of a motto of mine in this subject. Real italian grip foils are rather rare, but I found mine at thefencingpost.com. Otherwise, American Fencers Supply has some good false ricassos to use. I have one on my dry foil, and it's pretty solid.
Lastly - What's up with people getting bruises fencing I still haven't got any (noticeable) bruises! Some nasty blisters on my feet and I currently have a nice cut on my knuckle (Thank God! It blocked the sabre from hitting more... sensitive areas )
__________________ In Flanders fields the poppies grow - Between the crosses, row on row, - That mark our place, and in the sky, - The larks, still bravely singing, fly, - Scarce heard amid the guns below. ~John McCrae
Lastly - What's up with people getting bruises fencing I still haven't got any (noticeable) bruises! Some nasty blisters on my feet and I currently have a nice cut on my knuckle (Thank God! It blocked the sabre from hitting more... sensitive areas )
Ha.
I think I'm getting a lot of bruises because I seem to have a distance problem...though that picture is from one I got from a fellow newbie from class and he certainly had some muscle behind it.
I think I prefer Sabre over anything else. It's different. It just felt better. I understand ROW, but Foil just frustrates me to no end. I think I'm lacking the finesse needed there. I get so jumbled up in Foil but when I did Sabre the actions just seemed more apparent to me. Only time will tell! (And lots and lots of practice...)
I think I'm getting a lot of bruises because I seem to have a distance problem...though that picture is from one I got from a fellow newbie from class and he certainly had some muscle behind it.
I think I prefer Sabre over anything else. It's different. It just felt better. I understand ROW, but Foil just frustrates me to no end. I think I'm lacking the finesse needed there. I get so jumbled up in Foil but when I did Sabre the actions just seemed more apparent to me. Only time will tell! (And lots and lots of practice...)
Well, if you ever decide to come to our side of the state, I'll be glad to chase you down the strip a few times....^_^
__________________
The Angel of Death Strikes!
If you can fool your friends, you can fool your enemies...
Let me say this to start: Some grips take more getting used to than others, but it's alright to stick with a french. There are many different types of pistol grips out there, though, so feel free to try them out if you can and see which ones suit you best. I personally fence with either a belgian or the classical italian grip, and both serve me pretty well. I just keep a belgian just in case I get a ref who doesn't like italians. As to the bruising, wear them proudly! They do make padding and protectors for certain areas, so if they're a problem, it's something you can look into. Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy your stay. 
I still haven't got any (noticeable) bruises! Some nasty blisters on my feet and I currently have a nice cut on my knuckle (Thank God! It blocked the sabre from hitting more... sensitive areas 
)
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