Grip Does Not Fit Into My Blade

[EnduringDusk]

I fence foil. I use a visconti small.

When I try to put the tang of my blade inside of my grip, it gets stuck halfway in b/c the square hole in my grip is too small (or the square part of the tang is too big). I have at least 3 other Visconti Smalls and none of them fit either. What should I do?

Shave the square part of the tang?
Shave the square hole of my grip?
Suggestions?

[Mergs]

Take a small flat file and open up the hole in the grip. Also, make sure that the tang was bent straight when the cant was put in. Sometimes it gets curved like a banana and that will cause it to bind on the grip. Given the number of grips and blades out there, I find it unusual that the openings on the grips should be too small.

Hope this helps.

[SJCFU#2]

The other option is to take a flat file to the sides of the square portion of the tang - it usually doesn't take to much to clean it up enough for the grip to fit.

The advantage of filing the tang is that it doesn't remove material from the grip (sometimes there isn't much material there to remove, especially with smaller grips). The disadvantage is that you may have to do this with every blade you fit that grip onto (which unfortunately will probably be often enough to become an annoyance).

edit: The choice of method often depends on the circumstances. If it's just one particularly bad tang and most others fit the grip without any additional work, or if it's just needs to have a little material taken off in one or two spots then it's probably easier to file the tang. If blades routinely have problems fittings then it's probably worth it to take the time and open up the hole in the grip.

[tlucente]

The other option is to take a flat file to the sides of the square portion of the tang - it usually doesn't take to much to clean it up enough for the grip to fit.

The advantage of filing the tang is that it doesn't remove material from the grip (sometimes there isn't much material there to remove, especially with smaller grips). The disadvantage is that you may have to do this with every blade you fit that grip onto (which unfortunately will probably be often enough to become an annoyance).

Although, it's much easier to file Aluminium than Steel....

[SJCFU#2]

Although, it's much easier to file Aluminium than Steel....

Granted. However I often find it easier and more controllable to use a flat file on the tang when the blade is held tight in a vise than to try and hold a grip in one hand and a triangular file in the other hand while working on the inside surfaces of the hole in the grip.

[Purple Fencer]

I had this happen at the Okawa yesterday...but it was a hole in a sabre guard that wouldn't fit over a Linea tang. Was a lot easier to file the tang than the hole....didn't take that long.

Now if I was at the shop....bench grinder....LOTS easier!