Newb with Sword Question

[Tylersaurous]

Hello, Im new to the sport of fencing and had some questions about my sword.

I was playing around with my sword and found the balance point of it, it is about an inch and a half above the guard. I was just wondering if this is where the balance point should be. To me it would make since for the balance point to be at the hilt of the sword so that you could manuever it as fast as possible. It is kind of a cheap sword, and I was wondering if I should add weight to the grip somehow to balance it out.

I also noticed that the pistol grip I ordered looks like it was hand made or carved out. I think this is because it is a left handed grip, because all my friends ordered the same grip (except right handed) and they had nice smooth shiney pistol grips with grooves for fingers and such. My grip looks a little clunkier and looks like it should be sanded down. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can modify my grip to make it nicer that would be great!

[KShan5[PrFC]]

To answer your first question, yes that is where you want the blade to be weigthed. Can't answer the second cuz I fence sabre and don't know anything about pistol grips.

[DHCJr]

There are two parts to your first question about the balance point. You can use a heavier pommel. For example, their used to be a molded plastic handle. They also have a pommel that was about 4 times the weight of a normal pistol grip pommel. You can add weight, but you probably would not want to. One of the reasons for not wanting the balance any closer is for example a faster coupe'. If the weight was balanced at the guard, you would literally move the tip down, instead of it dropping and then bringing it back up with your fingers.

The more important balance is to get the weight to pull on your bicep, instead of your tricep, since your bicep is the stonger. This is done by canting the blade down and in until it 'Feels' the lightest. You will not have changed the weight or the balance point one bit.

The other question is a little more difficult to answer. There is not just one type of pistol grip. From your limited description, I would guess the handle you received was a Russian Style or one of the various Belgium. From your descriptions of your friends, I would guess Visconte or German.

You might check one of the vendor web sites, like AMFENCE.com to look at pictures of some of the handles to tell what you have.

If you would like some more help, you can contact me. There are some good Armorers in your area.

[Black Jeebus]

I've only been fencing a little while but strictly speaking the bicep is not stronger than the tricep. The tricep is much larger than and by extension stronger than the bicep (the usual exception are prepubescent boys with just a set of dumbells that do nothing but curls in their garage all day). Maybe for the motion you are trying to induce the bicep is more adaquate but in general terms the bicep is weaker than the tricep.