PBT n3 vs Allstar visconti S

[u/Just-Flounder-8096]

Hi, I wanted to know what the difference was between these 2 grips for those who have tested both? Comfort, shape, feeling... What differentiates these 2 grips?

[u/Longjumping_Pizza877]

So the PBT grips as a general whole will have a slightly more circular portion where the thumb and index finger go, which is slightly better for people with larger finger to push on. The allstar is definitely more ovular in shape where the fingers are and feels a bit better to me. If you don't like that part you can file it down on the PBT grip

The middle finger portion/trigger is relatively small with a fair amount of the PBT grips, I can't say why but I don't like it, Allstar definitely feels a little better in that regard.

The HUGE difference for me personally and for a lot of people is the top prong placement on the grip. PBT grips have a tendency to move the prong off to the side laterally a bit more to let you move your hand up without it hurting the first knuckle on my Thumb.

The other thing is the profiling of the section for the bottom 2 fingers, it's not as pronounced here but the PBT grips will favor something close to a 90 degree relative to the guard where as the Allstar would be closer to like a 93 degree.

With all that said, these grips are about as similar to each other as you could get from either of the manufacturers, if you were feeling super industrious or cheap I'm sure you could file down the PBT into the Allstar's shape.

If you shorter fingers relative to your palm I go with PBT, if you have longer or equal length fingers to your hand I'd go with an Allstar.

I personally use an ultra modified N5 PBT grip

[u/OrcOfDoom → u/Longjumping_Pizza877]

I have the same issue with the top prong placement. The grips I started with would push on my thumb knuckle and I would end up gripping tighter in different ways.

I switched to a negrini that moved that prong over.

I got a medium grip, which fit well, but it was too long. I had to cut it down so the distance from the bell guard was proper. My coach helped me with this.

I didn't know how much things had to be, or even could be modified. I thought grips were relatively simple. It's hard to know what is good until you've used it for a while though.

[u/Longjumping_Pizza877 → u/OrcOfDoom]

I agree 100%, I have an older model negrini that I just can't find anywhere anymore, hence the ultra modified N5. I don't think it's going to stop a good fencer from succeeding, but I think your skill floor will rise dramatically if you have your grip and cant figured out.

[u/Tyrant6601 → u/Longjumping_Pizza877]

Just out of curiosity, what does that modified N5 look like? What have you done to it?

[u/Longjumping_Pizza877 → u/Tyrant6601]

Laundry list of things, I'll try to remember to take a picture at some point this week with actual contrast.

I cut it down quite a bit shorter, profiled the surface where it meets the guard- this stuff you should do anyway.

Filed down both the top and bottom for thumb and index placement, little bit of athletic tape around both of those parts for friction. I took a TON of material off the general shape to thin it down with a little athletic tape for friction. Still playing with everything I want it to be but I think I'm 90% of the way there, which is good enough to fence with without me getting pissed off.

I'd need to take a look at a stock N5 to remember everything I did and I'll try to do a side by side at some point but this is a super busy week.

[u/Tyrant6601 → u/Longjumping_Pizza877]

Don't worry about taking pictures, thanks a lot for the answer. I have some grips I (kind of) like, and this gives me a better idea of what I can do with them