Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

hawaii kid · 07-08-2003, 05:42 PM

I recently recieved an order from Mr. Zivkovik and I intend to contact him about it but wanted to see if anyone out there on the board has had any experience with some of the items I purchased.

I bought a couple of the helmet lights that are intended to be used as a touch indicator when practicing so that both fencers would know when either landed a touch. We tried them last night and were less than satisfied. Has anyone had positive results with this product? Maybe there's a better way to use them than what we tried. I had to put the light practically in my eye to be able to see it and my opponent could barely see it at all no matter where I put it. I couldn't see his light either unless I was actively looking for it and it was very distracting from actual fencing. I don't usually look at (other than peripherally) my opponent's head much anyway.

I also bought a helmet fan as I'm going to be doing a lot of fencing in really hot weather pretty soon and thought it might be handy. We tried several different brands of helmets but could not find an acceptable location to mount the fan in any of them. No matter where we tried to mount it, it would be in the way or suck your hair into it. Shaving my head is not an option at this time... Has anyone had any luck with installing one of Mr. Zik's helmet fans? If so, what type of mask and how did you do it?

a517dogg · 07-08-2003, 08:48 PM

sounds like you got suckered.

i haven't trusted zivkovic since i heard about him selling a single weapon to a teammate for something like $200.

hawaii kid · 07-08-2003, 09:12 PM

Well, I haven't gotten suckered yet as I haven't paid for any of it yet. I should point out that I also purchased a few items that I'm very happy with. A new grip and a couple of those bell guards with a formed wire chase in it. Just trying to give the benefit of the doubt before I return this other stuff.

Alpha03 · 07-08-2003, 10:41 PM

if u wire ur blades correctly, than there is no need for that 'special bellguard'. for grips, personally i dont use them. they try and make it so that the blade has bend in the tang without actually having bend in the tang. When u hold it in a normal position, than the way ur hand is makes the blade point in and down. If u actually put bend in the blade than there is no need for these grips. I think that Zivkovic is a great guy and an inspiration to the sport.

The0ne · 07-08-2003, 10:45 PM

Zivkovic stuff has never looked appealing to me. . . Except those plastic practice foils!!

hawaii kid · 07-09-2003, 06:54 PM

well I like the grips. specially the "K" series. I bought the plastic practice foils quite a while a go and they were fun to play with. Not very robust though. They are in tatters now...

So nobody's tried this other stuff yet huh?

R. Exnicios · 07-10-2003, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hawaii kid
. . .

I also bought a helmet fan ....

Mask. please.

Z has some great ideas and is always thinking. He designed the Favero reels. I haven't used any of his gear but I'm glad that he's out there inventing.

hawaii kid · 07-10-2003, 08:48 PM

Hey! I coulda called it a "hat"! (actually I still do call it a hat sometimes in class... ' Put your hats on kiddies...' or ' Gee, sure wish I could put a fan in my hat!')

O.K.
O.K.

I'll try to say "mask" from now on. As soon as I get used to the switched lights and no crossover in sabre....

It · 07-10-2003, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hawaii kid
I also bought a helmet fan as I'm going to be doing a lot of fencing in really hot weather pretty soon and thought it might be handy. We tried several different brands of helmets but could not find an acceptable location to mount the fan in any of them. No matter where we tried to mount it, it would be in the way or suck your hair into it. Shaving my head is not an option at this time... Has anyone had any luck with installing one of Mr. Zik's helmet fans? If so, what type of mask and how did you do it? [/b]

Only problem with the fan, it gets kinda hard to hear when people talk to you whenit's on. Also forget about trying to use it while in competition. You can't hear the director say halt. Oh it goes on the Visor mask. I just bought it my self.

MikeHarm · 07-10-2003, 10:39 PM

Its too bad they can't figure a way to slip something like a padded cold pack in the masks, that would cool you off without making noises or making you look goofy.

I was toying with the idea of buying one of the mask fans myself once but just as I was about to click the purchase button I suddenly had the image in my head of how maybe it would look almost as stupid as those beanie caps with the propellers on top shivered and changed my mind.

hawaii kid · 07-11-2003, 11:58 AM

Hmmmm,
Interesting. I didn't think it was that loud or obvious to see. And frankly, if it makes me more comfortable I don't really care if it makes me look like a dork.
I just can't make it fit anywhere. Who makes the Visor mask/helmet/hat?

I need a new mask anyway. FIE approved?

oiuyt · 07-11-2003, 04:39 PM

Zivkovic came out with the fan at the same time as high visored mask (which is no longer FIE approved). From the marketing at the time I'd assumed that they were sold only to work together (there were optional fans and cameras available for the visor mask). I saw in Austin that he was still selling the fans. Maybe they fit in some masks and not others? Maybe they only fit is his masks?

-B :)