[CFML] Italian style epee

[duwa@aol.com]

Need some wisdom from those who should know: The Italian grip style epee: the
right way to hold it, fingers grasp where? It's strengths, weakness', with
and without the strap?

I know this is a Classical/Historical outlet and not sport. But I figure
that if anybody should know something about the Italian grip, it should be
here.

I know that sport fencing has grown away from this epee grip style. However,
some of us have, or still dabble in sport epee, where you either have a
French style, or "pistol grip." Those of us who uses the French, have at one
time or another, received a hard beat attack whose sole purpose is to disarm
the French grip fencer. I have talked to several "pistol grippers" who all
tell me that this is part of there strategy when they see a French grip. And
the claim that their type of grip is as good if not better than the old
Italian. My argument is that this may be true with the foil, but the epee as
a rule, is heavier with the main load of the weapon's weigh rest on the index
finger. Who want's that?

So, I'm looking at an all but dead horse and wondering if the Italian style
epee is just what the doctor ordered.

Thanks for anything you can tell me on this subject.

Pete Craig


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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[Bob Lyle]

Oops. This should have been posted last week.

I have nearly always used an Italian epee. I started with a wrist strap,
but when it broke I found I no longer needed it. I always griped it with
the index and middle finger over the long quillon, the other quillon snugly
against the web of my thumb and my thumb pressed against the flat of the
ricasso. Master Wieder had us stand in guard and parry with the hand
pronated, rolling the thumb knuckle up to thrust.

It is strong delivering or receiving attacks on the blade, I especially
liked the glissade against the french school. Supposedly it is les flexibl=
e
in changing line, but I never found this. That may be because I was taught
a very confined style with a stiff wrist.

Bob Lyle



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The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier b=
lunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
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