Ordering Non-Electric Foil. Part compatible?

[yearsofwisdom]

Hey i was wondering if i ordered a non-electric foil, would the grip, and guard be compatible with a electric foil. so i could just take the parts off and put them on a electric foil?

[oiuyt]

Hey i was wondering if i ordered a non-electric foil, would the grip, and guard be compatible with a electric foil. so i could just take the parts off and put them on a electric foil?

Probably, although in theory the grip may not have the small cutout for the wire to pass through.

-B

[Purple Fencer]

What the OP describes is rather common, so yes. You might run into a fit issue if the tang of the electric blade is a little bigger than the one on the dry, but that's easily fixed with a file and some elbow grease.

Brad's concern is one I have rarely seen in 8 years of vending...and that only on old French grips. Every grip I buy today has the notch.

[yearsofwisdom]

thanks. I do have a question about that though. i want to order a absolute gold practice foil with a ulhmann belgian grip but it says uhlmann belgian grip bare. Whats this suppposed to mean? would it still be compatible with a electric foil?

[DangerMouse]

Bare means it is not insulated. If you call them, they'll give you a painted insulated one which is preferable for an electric foil.

[yearsofwisdom]

but if i did like the non-insulated one, it is compatable with a electric foil correct?

[Purple Fencer]

but if i did like the non-insulated one, it is compatable with a electric foil correct?

Yep...the molds themselves are the same. The reason foil grips are insulated is so you don't ground your lame to your weapon, thus rendering a hit on you as nothing (as the circuit won't break....it'll be like hitting the guard). Keep in mind, tho, that this is not a problem with a modern box....it's with someoldones that you can do it...still, they get painted.

[SJCFU#2]

but if i did like the non-insulated one, it is compatable with a electric foil correct?

The rules require "the rear extremity of the handle" be insulated in order to prevent the weapon from shorting out the lame (m.13).

At one time this was important because if you were to short your weapon against your lame it would ground out the lame and prevent touches from registering. If you try that with an up-to-date scoring machine your weapon will simply becomes an extension of your valid target so it's in your best interest to insulate your grip.

You can can insulate a bare metal grip, either with paint, rubber coating, or even simply tape. There have been several threads regarding the best method of insulating (or replacing worn insulation) so I suggest a search if you want to know more.