Zivkovic Grips?

[Pyrofeed]

I've never seen someone who actually had one on a weapon, but on the website they look...intersting. Sorta like a looney toons version of a grip, maybe that just because of the cool colors. Does anyone have any experience with any of these? They seem very different design wise from most grips.

As seen here: http://www.zivkovic.com/sub_category...category_id=31

[SJCFU#2]

If you look toward the top of your screen you will see a green bar which contains the word "search" followed by an inverted triangle.

Clicking on this word will open a menu that will allow you to search for threads regarding the various Zivkovic grips (I generally recommend using the advance search option - it usually produces more useful results).

You will find that the topic has been discussed many times before, with opinions ranging from "Z-grips are the greatest innovation fencing has seen in 50 years" to "Z-grips are a complete and total waste of time and resources".

edit: This isn't meant to be rude. Merely to point out a potentially useful resource to a new member of the community who otherwise may not be aware of it.

[Pyrofeed]

Thanks, I'm always told to use the search...I always forget ill check it out

[CadetVet]

I've never seen someone who actually had one on a weapon, but on the website they look...intersting. Sorta like a looney toons version of a grip, maybe that just because of the cool colors. Does anyone have any experience with any of these? They seem very different design wise from most grips.

As seen here: http://www.zivkovic.com/sub_category...category_id=31

Summary of my experience -

1) great for tendonitis - which is why I switched to them. It literally went away in one week (and I couldn't otherwise lift the blade above my waist).

2) heavy and not great for point control - my coach hates them, but I'm of the opinion that I'd rather fence with mediocre point control (not that it was all that good before) than not fence because of tendonitis.

3) uneven build quality. They have had some manufacturing troubles in the past (crooked/small mounting holes, etc.) but in the main, those seem to be behind them.

Advice - find a used one and try it before you invest in a bunch of them.

Gary.

[Grimaldi]

I've been very pleased with mine. Started off using standard Visconti grips...no pain issues or anything, but certainly not comfortable or natural feeling. The Zivkovic grips feel natural, and seem to perfectly mold to my hand. Whether it actually affects the quality of my fencing (point control, hand position, fatigue, etc) I couldn't tell you, as I'm still fairly new, but it certainly seems better from a psychological perspective.

[unlikelysuspect08]

I've considered investing a zivkovic grip, and I actually came across a fencer who had one at a tournament in Atlanta. He was kind enough to let me hold it and get a feel for it. It was nice, it was a righty and of course I'm a lefty, but I got the gist of and I liked it.

It's owner was quite satisfied; he said it's unique shape, and where it places your aides encourages you to hold it correctly (with your thumb and forefinger, of course).

[Shi no Tenshi]

The things I've found it good for are infighting and flicking. I use a B grip, on both my Vniti foil and epees, and I really don't notice the weight. Never had issues with point control with it either, in fact I like the feel of the blade better with them than other grips.

[slow_learner]

I've started using the Z model for foil and epee. Fits my hand very well. This is entirely personal. Also tried the B, the paddle of which turns inward--the next morning the heel of my hand was quite sore. So keep in mind the various models can be very different in subtle ways.

The Z is wide yet thin in the area where you thumb and index finger sit. It does seem to promote proper finger/thumb grip, and I think my point control has improved. But this is pretty subjective.

[masker]

I really like the K3 , though talking to Zivkovic, he almost seems to disparage the Ks as something for lovers of the french grip. Which I am not, not by a long shot, though I can almost see what he's talking about.

I've had zero issues with build quality or consistency after about 8 grips or so. And that's about the only useful thing I can say about it, as finding what works best is entirely individual and something everybody has to figure out for themselves.

[VorpalCat]

The one thing I've noted is that when I've replaced a Belgian or Visconti grip with a Ziv, I've had to drill out the Ziv a bit before I could use it. Pre-drilling, the tang was only a couple of threads longer than the hole through the grip. It's an easy fix but it was a bit of a rude surprise when I was hoping to just do a quick switch-out at club, miles away from my 'big tools' at home. (Oh, and the Zivs in question were a K and a B, just fwiw.)

[Pyrofeed]

I have a PBT belgian right now, and I am interested in the B's or the Z's, which, in any of your opinions and experiences, would be most similar to the PBT (which I think is more of a cross between a standard visconti and a standard belgian). Thanks

[cplmontana]

I personally use the Z on my epees. I feel like the grip sits my hand deeper into the bellguard, and gives me better blade control. However, the lack of a real pommel seems to take some power out of parries. Definitely worth a try.

Another fencer in my club swears by the GII. She does have slightly smaller hands, so that might be something to consider.

[Morale Officer]

I use the K2's. So far I haven't really had a problem with them, although I probably could've gotten the K3's since I do have a small hand, but the K2's are just fine.

[Hercules]

I use the K grip and love it! great feel and power with my parries. Sits in your hand really nicely (I have big hands).
My teammate used the B grip. I find it Really large. It also has grooves in weird places, when i tried it i really didn't like it at all. When he used my K grip, he bought his own and switched it out.
Ive also looked at the Z grip, when it fit in my hand well, but didn't feel the same power as i did with the K. However it wasn't on a weapon so i cant say much more about it.

[eviltangents]

Used a Ziv K2 for the first time today. I broke my blade fitted to an Uhlmann Vis grip and had to borrow my coach's foil fitted with the K2. It was nice... Different but comfortable enough. It was a little small for my hand so maybe a K would be a better size. (I wear a BG size 9 glove.)

Overall dimensions are nice in the sense it was nice and compact without sacrificing balance and grip strength. Not wanting to ruin my coach's weapon unnecessarily I fenced more defensively than usual and ended up parrying a bunch more than I normally would. I found the K2 a comfortable and confident grip for the purpose. Actually more comfortable in this regard than my Uhlmann grips. The shortened "tail" made it easier to circle parry since there's no long extension to get in the way. Also wonderful when I parried 1 and reposted without the Uhlmann's extension snagging on my glove enclosure.