Coach Reith Grip, again

[peterlista]

I know, use the search function... blah, blah, blah.

Unlike most questions regarding how to fit it on the tang, my question is more about why would one switch to this grip?

So, why should I switch to the Coach Reith Grip over my french grip?

Thanks,
Peter Lista

p.s. I fence epee and plan to continue using a french grip (or Coach Reith).

[DangerMouse]

That's really a personal question. I like the curve of the grip and the grippy surgical tubing coating plus the aluminum core prevents tang breaks.

If you like your current french grips, don't change. Or buy one to try. I now own about 20 different styles of grips accumulated over more than a decade of trying new models to see what I like.

[Nolano]

If you pommel, I think it's completely worth changing. Most standard french grips are about 3/8" to 1/2" where you typically grab it for pommelling. The coach reith grip is roughly 1" there, iirc. Much easier on my large hands. No longer extremely fatiguing to do.
If you don't pommel, I'd still recommend trying one, but it's not as definite, IMO.

[K O'N]

I know, use the search function... blah, blah, blah.

Unlike most questions regarding how to fit it on the tang, my question is more about why would one switch to this grip?

So, why should I switch to the Coach Reith Grip over my french grip?

Thanks,
Peter Lista

p.s. I fence epee and plan to continue using a french grip (or Coach Reith).

CR is a french grip. Compared to a standard fg, it's bigger, it's heavier and it's bent. My personal feeling is, if you like a pretty heavy cant left (assuming you're right handed) as opposed to down and you if like a thicker grip you may like the CR grip.

If you're using a cheap flexy grip it will make an immediate difference in the stiffness of the weapon. Any aluminum cored grip will make the whole epee feel more solid and accurate for flicks and blade contact. You don't realize how much the tang is flexing until you stop it. And the weight of the CR grip is about like going to a very heavy pommel nut, it moves the balance back a fair bit. I think they match up very well with Vniti blades.

If you decide not to stay with CR grips you might try the Fnet aluminum cored french grips, or LP aluminum cored saber grips. They'll stop the tang flexing and give you the solid feeling without the increased diameter or the built in cant.

K O'N

[K O'N]

If you pommel, I think it's completely worth changing. Most standard french grips are about 3/8" to 1/2" where you typically grab it for pommelling. The coach reith grip is roughly 1" there, iirc. Much easier on my large hands. No longer extremely fatiguing to do.
If you don't pommel, I'd still recommend trying one, but it's not as definite, IMO.

I think it just depends. I pommel and have large hands, but I find both the CR grip and the LP tennis racket grip more fatiguing than a standard fg.

K O'N

[TodG]

The CR is a pain to fit, but it does make for an easier grip when pommeling (for me). Personally, I prefer the LP. YMMV.

[damianip]

Note, this post refers to epee only...

I have one. I normally use LP CF grips which are somewhat modified (face file for cant and drop, LP grip tape replaced with hydrophilic tennis racket grip tape).

I find the CR grip t make my weapon heavier and tough to set properly. However, I don't mind using it for drilling with students.

They make a weapon harder to assemble than just about any other grip, beating out the Negrini (no small accomplishment). Some filing of the grip's ID and judicious tang twisting using a vise and the end of a crescent wrench can make the assembly much less painful.

If you are going to mostly pommel, I'd stick with a Leon Paul CF: it's lighter, easier to assemble, and once filed properly, consistent in feel after blade changes.

The shorter tang on the LP makes a much quicker, stiffer weapon.

However, if you find yourself holding the weapon conventionally partly or all of the time, the CR grip is nice for the larger size. It allows the hand to relax a bit more. The weight gain is offset by the nice balance which can be achieved through diligence and patience with the CR.

Paolo

[damianip]

I think it just depends. I pommel and have large hands, but I find both the CR grip and the LP tennis racket grip more fatiguing than a standard fg.

K O'N

If you change the grip tape to something tackier with a bit more cushion, you may find that it makes a big difference.

Plus, it took me some months to train myself to relax my hand on the LP grip.

Paolo