chile57

You're not wrong on any of the above @Chenner29. Credit where credit is due - I have had zero issues with some other smaller manufacturers (including Brown, PAW, Pro's Choice and Macmasks to name a few) but those few times you're left twisting in the wind kind of sour the whole lot unfortunately/unfairly. If its a small operation with one point of contact and you are getting stonewalled - you're mostly screwed. If I order some Vaughns or Warriors or whatever - I can get ahold of the shop where they were purchased (and bounce around on contacts if one is awful), the manufacturer, etc. I 100% get that life gets in the way - I 100% do NOT get ordering something completely custom and then having it show up with none of those requests incorporated - not only unapologetically but combatively as you noted above. There was no attempt even to offer to "make it right". Crazy.

Also - yes - its always strangely comforting to know that others share your pain (though your story seems to add a little salt to the wound). Misery loves company - right? Although I'm not wishing anything terrible on any of my fellow keepers.

8 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

I think I'm completely done with small manufacturers.  I don't know what it is about them not being able to hit dates.

What's really sad about the whole Battram situation is that instead of going online and being apologetic about it to the general public he started ripping back on people.  I think it had something to do with a divorce or separation he was going through at the time?

If it makes you feel any better, I once waited 15 months for a chest protector.  I provided an original for this small manufacturer to copy, they started selling them to NHLers and retail people before even starting on mine.  Original shipped 2/13/18 and received mine 5/7/2019

Mistakes were made @MTH - I've been there (on countless occasions).

I will just say - opinions are like a-holes…

… and the dudes own coach thinks him a clown. But don’t take my word for it - this reputable article sums it up nicely…

https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-binnington-suspended-qmjhl-fights-and-canucks

Surprised nobody jumped on this yet - Binnington = turd...

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35869892/blues-jordan-binnington-ejected-punch-loss-wild

Didn't bother looking for the video. Would have been nice if Flower got a chance to mangle his giant honker.

... curiosity got the best of me - here's the video (weak "punch" if you ask me but glad they tossed him)...

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35869068

2 hours ago, MTH said:

Took a puck off the inside of my knee. Bruise is still forming. Hurts like hell.

Got hit while working in my front yard. My kid was shooting pucks in the street and one whistled up into the yard and kicked off the lawn directly into my knee.

Ssshhhiiittt - that's some bad luck eh @MTH? I know had that happened when I was a kid I'd probably STILL be running from my pops rather than risk the forthcoming vemon/punishment. 

@Naz - appreciate your change of heart and allowances for us "whippersnappers". If its any consolation - though my vessel might be only 42 years "young" (in your eyes) on the inside I feel a million years old. 

@Fullright - thanks for the tip on the Icy Hot. The Aspercreme I've been using is the roll on "Max Arthritis Strength" variety which I can't seem to find anymore (and am down to my last couple applicators) so your tip may very well come in handy. Have a feeling after a lengthy hiatus (still have a month and change to go of a three month layoff) - I'm going to be using these accoutrements like they're going out of style.

On 3/11/2023 at 2:56 PM, Lucky Pucker said:

Guess I’ll throw this in here…

I’ve ended up with my Dad’s old gloves, which are in very good condition. He’ll never use them again, as the stroke he had - along with the diabetes - has fucked him up pretty good. 
I have always hated these gloves, and everything about them. Even back in the day, I thought they looked like shit, and they feel terrible (the actually hurt my fingers!)

…and yet, as I’m cleaning up in the furnace room/family hockey gear HQ, I can’t get rid of them - even though I don’t know what I’m keeping them for.

@Lucky Pucker - sorry to hear about your dad's troubles. As a guy with a pops who's struggled with diabetes and renal failure for a number of years (he did just receive a transplant so fingers crossed) - I can relate a little bit. Also can relate to "I can’t get rid of them - even though I don’t know what I’m keeping them for" as I have a whole basement area with equipment that bears the same burden (though admittedly none of it has the level of sentimental value these gloves may have to you).

Definitely seems apropos to have them hung to admire.

1 hour ago, coopaloop1234 said:

I just have this place open when I'm at work. 

I'm still not even #1 either. @TheGoalNet is still reigning supreme. 

At least it gives you something to aspire to... plus - it beats work.

31 minutes ago, Naz said:

Yer just a youngster!  Jeez.

Tough crowd. At the start of the thread Bunny (RIP) let in a 37 year old. That's quite a feat if you're crankier than Bunny was at his crankiest back to the GSBB days. Besides - tell my hairline and Aspercremed knees that youngster line. 

1 minute ago, coopaloop1234 said:

You don't get 6,000 posts by not seeing almost everything lol. 

HA - truth/checkmate. I'm pretty sure I'll never reach your level of fingers on the pulse because when I sit down to read - I fall asleep.

42 trips around the sun and +/-66" tall (without slouching and rounding up of course) - should I expect my membership card in the mail shortly?

Good looking out @coopaloop1234. If I wasn't so busy manicuring my lawn and being electronically illiterate - I might have even sniffed it out myself.

I'm one half of a platoon with a coworker on our company team... and he's damn near half my age so I'm in for Old Guy Hockey Club if we're starting one.

What the hell - I'll throw my hat in this ring...

I think I'd have to go with a set of custom Battrams I ordered back in February 2012. At the time - I was quoted five weeks. Without ever being appraised about any delays - they showed up some seventeen weeks later in June. Upon prompts from myself - I was told there were life and supply chain issues which I can totally understand. Admittedly I was a bit bummed that I was stuck tracking those answers down myself instead of being informed. What I couldn't understand was that none of the custom modifications we talked about (all agreed upon on the phone and followed up via email) were incorporated: no double break, no two piece trapper cuff, no no logos... and others I'm probably forgetting. Only after they were delivered and I asked was I given "reasons" for all these changes to what I'd asked for. Just completely left a bad taste in my mouth all around. I think I wore them maybe twice before I sold them off for well less than half what I had paid. Really just kind of turned me off not only to custom orders but smaller manufacturers for a bit. I guess since I'm talking about it over ten years later - maybe I'm still not over it. 

@ThatCarGuy - so I had it a little jumbled. That was kind of like a play in game and NOW you're in. Good luck. Hope the wrist is holding up.

On 2/13/2023 at 8:49 PM, ThatCarGuy said:

Precisely that situation. It’s as good as timing can be for something like this at least. My team got stomped by the top team in our division and my team will go play a meaningless florida tournament this weekend while I stay home and recover for the following weekend against a team we can and have beat. 

So if I'm mathing right - the tourney and playoff openers have come and gone @ThatCarGuy. If so - did you get a chance to suit up and how'd you do? Let us know.

@MTH I guess that's one way not to get asked to coach again. Either way - you had a good run. Way to bring back old time hockey.

@ThatCarGuy glad you dodged something more serious and can play on. Give them hell in the playoffs.

Not me because I'm on the shelf for a couple months but last night the defenseman on my team broke his fibula and tore some ligaments on "a rare and nasty break" from a mostly harmless looking inadvertent ((?) hopefully) slew foot. Here's the video (#14 black in front of the net)...

https://www.livebarn.com/en/videoshare?vid=_2BRP5Yob0sGcsllyho2CHu8o5LUVcey2oG0CoQkO3HQANSc2uJncahbD8Ejh7YAn5A7ccVwpLBf6wd0TSjeitqUhzMh0BmwAyS1dLQWEs05d9o_2FU3VKsZ9FgreurNiZY3cSuTSJUEemwXsbbagKPoHIV8NNilbojx&dt=2023-02-14T20:29&t=183293&d=30000&mode=5

It goes on longer and shows that the refs never blew the whistle despite it going all the way down to the other end and back while he's clearly laboring to get to the bench. WTF man.

@raidersgoalie @Zip @indykrap +1 for UA heat gear uppers. I've wore them for years now - usually with at least two in the rotation. They hold up well too.

For what its worth - I wear UA cold gear lowers with the same notes as above. Just tights below - no hockey socks. 

@ThatCarGuy there's a strange "comfort" that warmups are awful at all levels of hockey while at the same time - sympathy for your less than comfortable outcome due to their shittiness. I'm not even sure what one does for such an injury but may you mend soon.

You certainly could. How do you think mask makers end up with holes to accept cages on their lids? Hint: they drill them.  But if you don't take the utmost care in doing so - you could create weak points/cause damage. But that said - in theory - the backplate shouldn't be an impact zone and therefore that maybe becomes a nonissue to you. But why bother/sweat it when there are other (better (?)) options?

@A.YOUNGoalie13 and if you are looking for something more similar to that setup - Pro's Choice has the "quick snap harness": https://progoaliemask.com/quick-snap/

I have them on all (3) of my PC masks (the oldest at 2008 vintage) with zero sign of rust. 

I've been through a few wheel bags. Seems the Vaughn offerings had the longest shelf-lives (with Rbk/Reebok/CCM having the shortest life span) so I'll throw a vote for them. Never owned a Warrior bag but am a fan of their equipment and wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Hope his is helpful.

For what its worth @pd100x - I'd try to lay hands on stock things before pulling the trigger on a smaller palm on a custom set. I'm a smaller dude in general (5' - 4" without Andre the Giant hands) and the only glove where I noticed the palm being a bit too sloppy was Brian's Zero G's from a number of years ago. Had a stock set and ordered a custom set (with the intermediate palm ONLY on the blocker). Outside of that one outlier - its never been problematic for me. Good luck.

Thanks for the primo shots @The Teal Terror. Have to say - the jersey/setup from the Sharks/Seals throwback is far and away my favorite of that particular bunch. Keumper's setup comes in second.