Fencing Sword Pistol Grip Types

• The pistol grip, used in fencing, is also called the orthopedic grip. It was originally designed for fencers who had suffered damage to their hands, making other grips more difficult. This grip design is called the pistol grip because when held, the hand is curled around the grip much the way it would to hold a pistol. There are many styles of pistol grips.

Smooth Contoured Grips

• The Belgium grip is among the most popular pistol grips. It's considered a good starting grip for beginners as it's very comfortable to use. Its wrist extension is flat and thin and is designed with a small prong which extends between the ring and middle fingers. The American grip is generally like the Belgium but is thicker and a little more angular. It is better suited to someone with large hands. The Russian grip is very simple and basic. Its contours have a rectangular shape and the lower protrusion is a basic block for wrapping the fingers around. Like the American grip, this one is better suited for people with large hands. The Hungarian grip is also very similar to the Belgium, except that it is a little thicker.

Highly Contoured Grips

• More contoured grips are designed with grooves along the grip for the fingers to nestle into. A common grip is the Italian Visconti grip, which is sometimes just called the Italian grip or just the Visconti grip. So it is not to be confused with the German Visconti grip. Both of these grips are highly contoured. The Italian Visconti grip is wide with a narrow extension, encouraging the hand to grip it in a fist. The German Visconti grip is quite similar to the Italian but is narrower in profile and has a longer wrist extension.

Illegal Grips by Olympic Standards

• Although the Spanish grip was among the earliest pistol grips, it is now considered illegal by Olympic standards. The most notable difference in the Spanish grip and other pistol grips is the absence of a large lower protrusion. Instead, the grip has extras hooks, one at the top and another at the bottom, for hooking the thumb and the middle finger. It's this configuration that has made the grip illegal as it allows the fencer to "pommel" the sword, an illegal act which gives the fencer up to an inch greater reach without a reduction in leverage. The Gardere grip is another illegal grip. It is similar to the Spanish grip but has more contouring and the addition of another hook for the pinky. This additional hook allows for pommeling at even greater distances. Both grips use a French-style pommel. Basically, any pistol grip employing a French pommel is considered illegal.