Zivkovic Grips--Which to Choose?

[Stormblade]

So, I'm thinking of getting a Zivkovic grip, but unsure which one would be best. Some of the descriptions on their website are very helpful, but others are less so. I'm a foilist with medium-size hands, and I use a lot of flick actions. Does anyone know which style grip might suit those specifications best, or is this another one of those "it depends on the fencer's taste" questions? If it helps, I usually use a Belgian pistol grip, but have recently begun favoring Visconti grips.

[chinbeard]

Uhlmann medium Visconti.

[s.brookes]

I've only used the K series, but I love it! For medium hands the KII or even the smaller KIII would be more appropriate, size wise.

I've also handled a G and a B (and BIII). Again, all feel wonderful, B is gigantic and heavy as a brick but the BIII is a fine size and, obviously, the BII is between them somewhere.

I recently bought a Z but I havn't gotten it yet.

Disclaimer: I'm an epeeist. I also flick though and I've found the K to be much easier to flick with than the Visconti.

[Rick Shellhouse]

Storm,

Feel free to contact me via pm or phone and I will arrange to send you a few to try out.


R

[fatfencer]

Storm,

Feel free to contact me via pm or phone and I will arrange to send you a few to try out.


R

This last bit is really helpful. Especially with Ziv grips. They are so funky as compared to standard viscontis and belgians that you just have to get to know them then buy them.

I a a foilist with medium hands, size 9-ish glove. I'd use the BIII grip. It looks great and is a popular one amongst those who like to flick. I liked it. Just not as much as I like the schermasports....pricey bastards though.

[s.brookes]

Mr. Shellhouse,

Do you have a store front with open hours? I live in Jersey and am interested in trying out more Ziv grips.

[Rick Shellhouse]

I keep telling Ben he needs to release a video or two about the use of his grips. Its not like most grips you pick up and start using. There are some things that ya need told...

S. I replied to you via pm..


R

[damianip]

Rick has the right idea. You need to spend some time with the grips to have any idea of

"One man's meat is another man's poison..."

A grip is only "the best" in the context of the hand holding it, the weapon and the technique.

One can go through a lot of grips looking for the "magical one". However, if you are new to the grip, you need to stick with it for a while (unless it is completely unusable - causes cramping, pressure points, etc.).

Also note that different grips may require different sets in the tang for proper feel and balance.

Paolo

[Rick Shellhouse]

Also note that different grips may require different sets in the tang for proper feel and balance.

Paolo

As well as different little things concerning envelopments counters etc.


R

[Stormblade]

Thank you, everyone, for your advice. Mr. Shellhouse, I think I'll take you up on that offer. I just have one more question, first. I'll probably try the K, and at least one B. Between the BII and BIII, though, I'm not sure which to try. I may end up ordering both and just seeing which I like better, but if I could get some clarification on their sizes, that would be great. Without prior experience with Zivkovic, I'm not sure what they mean by "medium to small" hands and "medium to large" hands. Can anyone offer a bit of perspective? For example, I have used Absolute's Belgian Pistol grip, and that crushes my hand. I like Leon Paul's Belgian, but something just a tad smaller would be preferable. The only Visconti I've used is Absolute's, and while that's a better fit than their Belgian, something bigger would be preferable. Which of the B series would be closest to the LP, or farthest from the Absolute?

Thanks so much!

EDIT: I also have an interest in the Z series. I do fence fairly defensively, and this one (from the descriptions) seems the most geared towards that. Has anyone used that one?

[bigdawg2121]

I spent the first half of my fencing career fencing exclusively with Z grips. I liked them a lot. Still have them all actually. They're fairly low stress on the hands/joints. As far as offensive/deffensive characteristics I have no idea what would make a grip more suited one way or the other. Like most Zivkovic grips you just have to try them.

[wescfencer011]

So, I'm thinking of getting a Zivkovic grip, but unsure which one would be best. Some of the descriptions on their website are very helpful, but others are less so. I'm a foilist with medium-size hands, and I use a lot of flick actions. Does anyone know which style grip might suit those specifications best, or is this another one of those "it depends on the fencer's taste" questions? If it helps, I usually use a Belgian pistol grip, but have recently begun favoring Visconti grips.

i have G , k & G2 grips. i like the angle of grip. it tilt up alittle. if you use to belgian grip. i believe the B line would be more suitable to your taste. the angle of support is tilt down. alike the pieurs belgian tilt down. if you hand is middium size. and like tight grip for point control(small grips) i would use BIII. otherwise i would chose BII for all around use.