Flexible French Grip?

[o4aversob]

Hello, I recently heard of a website that sells a french grip that is actually flexible enough to bend. I was wondering if anyone else has seen this grip. I'm trying to find the web page.

[FoilDevil]

I believe you have heard of this one
http://www.negrini.com/Art554S.htm

Try the search function and read previous discussions on how to mount and bend it.

[veeco]

Yes, American fencing has them. Check out this page item 303M

http://www.amfence.com/html/grip_pics.html

The pommel that goes with it is the Schermasport 2-piece pommel for French grips (part 336S).

One problem that I have with these grips is that the inside diameter of the tubing is rather small and it's quite hard to put on some blade that have a rather big tang. In that case what I do is that I run a drill bit through it until it is large enough. However this might weaken the aluminum core of the grip and make it more likely to break when you bend it.

For that reason I am considering switching to the Prieur grips:

http://www.prieur-sports.com/prieur_...s/acc_poig.gif

Rubber on wood. Might not be bendable, but they are made of wood so you can shape it quite a bit to match your hand and your gripping style.

[o4aversob]

These are all nice grips, but the one I'm talking about is quite unique. The grip I'm talking about you can actually bend with the ease of your fingers -- totally flexible. For example, if you could imagine a holding the french grip regularly. Now pretend your pushing on the grip hard with your thumb. Usually, there would just be pressure on that area with your thumb on any french grip. But on this grip the entire rest of the foil would bend in that direction. It certainly is a strange and unique grip. I saw it quite a while ago on a website, wish I could find it now.

[veeco]

This kind of grip doesn't really exist. I mean you saw it, so it probably does, but the thing about what you saw is that it's kind of pointless.

If you think about it, inside the grip there is the tang of the blade which you cannot bend, at least not with the ease of your fingers.

So such a grip could be bent when not mounted, but when it is, I don't think it would be possible.

There is only one French grip that I can think of that doesn't have the tang of the blade inside, and that's the Leon Paul "tennis racket" grip. However IIRC it's made of carbon fiber. Quite hard to bend with your fingers during the course of a bout.

[earlie]

A flexible French grip is not too useful, but still, let's see. Now what I want to try is a Visconti grip with a flexible spike that goes between your thum and your hand.


A ho, and a ho-ha.

[angriff]

While we're on french grips, are there any french grips that aren't so narrow that it feels like clutching on a twig? I tried the Uhlmann one before and it felt like precisely that.. the Leon Paul tennis racket grip is way too big.. can anyone recommend a french grip that's just a nice balance between the two, not as thin as the Uhlmann grip and not a monstrosity like the Leon Paul tennis racket? Thanks..

[Pho]

The PBT Aluminium french grips are a nice thickness. They are as large as the leon paul handles but they do have a significant heft. Only thing with this grip is that they hav quite a pronounced bend.

Pho

[earlie]

Its not the only thing with that grip - its one of the things

[Ramrod]

I like the thickness of the PBT french grip on my electric Epee. Much thicker than my BG practice grip.

The PBT does have quite a downward and in bend to them. It just takes a little adjustment to fit your hand and some getting used to.

[daeceg]

Originally posted by angriff
While we're on french grips, are there any french grips that aren't so narrow that it feels like clutching on a twig? I tried the Uhlmann one before and it felt like precisely that.. the Leon Paul tennis racket grip is way too big.. can anyone recommend a french grip that's just a nice balance between the two, not as thin as the Uhlmann grip and not a monstrosity like the Leon Paul tennis racket? Thanks..

I love my french grip. Leather-wrapped over wood, from Triplette. Somewhat thicker and more substantial than most plastic or rubber grips. Easier to hold, very light. Fits my hand almost perfectly...I know what you mean about the 'twig' feeling.

[great bowyer]

blade sells the negrini grip, but it is out of stock right now. it is shown at the bottom of this page.

http://www.blade-fencing.com/cgi-bin...1582206281+en+

[wflaschka]

I dislike the wood-core, leather-wrapped grips, because the ends are capped in metal. This metal cuts into the fingers near the belle.

I tried the Allstar plastic-core, rubber-covered grip. It splintered in my orc-like grip while giving a lesson.

I've had another wood-core grip crumple in my hands.

The best French grips I've seen are from Santelli. Wood-core, cord-wound. Comfortable, sturdy, attractive, and non-slippy in the hands. The current version has the cord wrapped normally around the grip... this is nice enough (view). The version from many years ago had the cord woven in a criss-cross pattern that prevented slippage.

A student of mine got such a grip as a loaner from a family friend who fenced long ago. It's a wonderful grip. I'm keeping an eye out on ebay. They may not be made anymore.

[R. Exnicios]

I am a French grip nut! I have been using French grip for a long time. For me the absolute best was the Prieur Wood covered in leather or cord. They do not make them anymore

If anyone has some I will gladly but them!

The Allstar leather over plastic has a nice feel but the break when you make a hard flick.

Cheers

[tantricthonger]

Exnicios,try the Schermasport French grip and pommel,in my opinion it's the best French grip in the world.You can purchase this grip at www.negrini.com.
Best Regards,
Brett/Tantricthonger