New Fencer Question - Zivkovic Handles

[Clarity]

Hey everyone, I just recently purchased a Zivkovic "Z" handle for my epee. I was wondering, what do I do with it?! The product description says it lacks finger grooves to benefit offensive fencers, and also has a wide heel for defensive fencers?
I was curious as to HOW to handle the weapon, what should my tactics be in a bout with such a grip? What kind of actions do offensive fencers make, defensive fencers?

I know, I know lots of newbie questions, sorry!
Thanks for the help in advance!

[erooMynohtnA]

That's just marketing. It's just a handle. Your tactics should be the same as you would fence with any other pistol grip. Some people just find them more comfortable than other grips. There's nothing you can do with that handle that you couldn't do with practically any other.

Offensive fencers make beats and disengages, defensive fencers make parries and derobements.

[Sboard1019]

Should have bought a French grip

[erooMynohtnA]

Yeah, then you wouldn't feel quite as guilty throwing it away.

[fatfencer]

The french grip is, of all the grips out there, the crappiest grip.

Hell, we shouldn't even call it eh french grip anymore. We should call it the Adam Pantel grip.

For those in the know that was a really funny, lighthearted dig on Adam.

FF

[DHCJr]

The french grip is, of all the grips out there, the crappiest grip.

Hell, we shouldn't even call it eh french grip anymore. We should call it the Adam Pantel grip.

For those in the know that was a really funny, lighthearted dig on Adam.

FF

No, the French grip should be called a Freedom Grip. Doesn't anyone remember the 'Freedom Fries' and 'Freedom Toast that was served at the Capital lunchroom?

[Jen]

hi!

I own one of the zivkovik grips-my club bought machines from him and he went into this big story about them. Anyway you're meant to hold them similar to a regular pistol grip I believe-at least that's how I hold mine. They're meant to take pressure and strain off your wrist-since some fencers were developing calcified bumps on their wrists from using the pistil grip too much. If you ask him, he'll show you this lump on his wrist. So you hold it similar to the way you hold regular pistol. I keep two regular pistol and one zivkovik gripped epees in my bag, and when my hand gets tired in some bigger tournaments I switch out weapons for a few bouts to rest my hand. Well Good Luck!

[mrbiggs]

The french grip is, of all the grips out there, the crappiest grip.

It's much better than the Italian.

Also, this is epee, so the French is usable.

[fatfencer]

didnt ja?

FF

[mrbiggs]

didnt ja?

FF

No, that was actually completely coincidental. Sorry about that.


I hold to my original statement, but it wasn't meant as a personal attack.

[fatfencer]

I took it as a friendly dig, nothing more.

I really love Aldo Nadi and his book on fencing. I love the italian grip and am looking for ways to modify it to give me carpal tunnel releif.

I'm pretty thick skinned so no worries mate!!

FF