Stripbox: how important is a grid?

Do I 'need' a grid?

I bought 2x large PCB strip boxes. To be honest, I haven't even had a chance to use them yet. But the plan is to use them as kickers, behind and off to each side of my subject. I want to shoot some gritty sportraits with nice separation light. My question is: without grids, will there be too much spill? Or is the light from a Stripbox fairly directional? I'm just trying to understand how much more control a grid will give me and which situations those of you who own them, use them. Thanks in advance.

Oh, example photos of your work with and without would be awesome!

Thanks again

Check out Joel Grimes images... grids on Octas, and Strips. He is a master at gritty sports shots.

Regards,

110yd

Ryan check out this site.
I'm going to be doing the same with some Seniors this year.

http://www.blairbuntin​g.com/blog/lighting

Light spread/spill from the front diffuser of a strip box will be essentially the same as the spill from a square box, if they both have the same size lip, or none at all.

If you have the option for a grid I think it is a necessary purchase

If the face of the modifier can be seen from your shooting position, grids will help cut down on lens flare.