Terminology

Photo by Marco Carrera

Please note that we use slightly altered terminology because our weapon lacks a true ricasso.

Common Terms for Our Foils

A. Conversion Piece: This piece allows one to use a French style blade in an Italian manner. The name comes from the fact that it is easy to use this piece to “convert” a French weapon to an Italian weapon.

B. Wood Grip or Grip: This separates the conversion piece from the pommel and allows the pommel to obtain its proper position relative to the blade to bring the weapon to the correct balance. The two smaller fingers contact the weapon at the grip.

C. Pommel: This is threaded to tighten the entire weapon together. It is also weighted to balance the weapon. By turning the pommel one tightens the guard, conversion piece, grip, and pommel against the blade. This secures all the parts of the weapon together into one very secure piece.

D. Arches or Archetti: Traditionally these held the guard in place and giving the weapon another place to contact the hand. On our piece they serve only as a place for the hand to contact the weapon.

E. False Ricasso: This is the key part of our conversion piece. The false ricasso is the part of the conversion piece where one grips the weapon with the thumb and forefinger. This is where much of the manipulation of the blade is made from. A true ricasso is really part of the blade. On a true Italian blade the ricasso would extend back through the guard of the weapon. French blades lack this. Our conversion piece compensates for the French blades lack of a true ricasso. This enables the fencer to manipulate the weapon in the Italian style even though it has a French blade.

F. Crossbar or Transverse Bar (gavigliano): This is used by the middle finger to assist in supporting the weapon.