Moose75

In the NHL that would count as a good goal.

Same size, but I think my 1X are 10D. Not too sure, but I think my old pair were D as well. I previously had a Brian Elliot pro stock skate. 4MM Vertexx cowling without the Vertexx spot. Looked like this:

Things I have noticed in 3 games and 1 lesson: - I find it much easier to balance and set my feet in my stance. Feels like my skating lines and shuffles are much cleaner, and even swifter now. - Pushing from in the butterfly or RVH feels notably different. Your foot can get much lower to the ice, and establish a good grip much quicker. - Skating out to play pucks feels much less hindered and clumsy. - Feels like the edge goes out quicker on the steel. I had done a lesson and two games and had to resharpen already. I usually go 5-7 skates before sharpening. - I recommend you go down one or two hollows for your sharpness at first. I'm usually a 3/8th guy, but the attack angles and better connection to the ice has made me go for a 1/2 instead. - Also; I normally have a hard time dialing in fit. I've worn them only four times and already they feel really comfortable. It usually takes me a lot longer for new skates.

looks like something outta Kama Sutra.

Is Vasy using a true Vapor glove or is this skinned like his blocker?

Will do! I didn't want you guys to think I was one of "those people" who puts pads facing the wrong way, haha. And I'm inclined to agree.

Screw it, I'm bragging lol. Just popped my Bauer cherry. Picked up these Callum Booth returns on eBay today. Brand new for ~1050$ USD (originally 1300-something CAD)! Disclaimer: eBay picture, not my own.

This sounds like something I don't need but will buy anyways lol.

Honest question here: how does CCM not go after Vaughn for this? It looks almost identical to that Lefebrve design. PS: I'm a grown child that giggles every time at the VE8 logo for an obvious reason.

Two fullwrongs don't make a right!

I love that "Super Old" on the knee rolls haha

@IPv6Freely how many of your opponents make the same "it's a trap!" joke when they play your team?

The faded graphic in the darker colored blue would make for a dope main graphic.

Was thinking two hockey sticks until you said this, lol. As someone who wears Vaughn, I have to admit their graphics are the most primitive-looking of all the active brands. Gotta wonder if Vaughn too will ditch leather straps since that seems to be the trend now.

If you have access to a skate over, pre-heat it for 5 minutes, bake the glove for 2-3 minutes, then work it in. While it's still warm, close the glove as you would if a puck is in it, then wrap lace around it tightly, then shimmy your hand out and tie the lace (PS: helps if you have another hand to help this step). Let it sit for a while, then try it back on. If it feels good, go with it, if it's not quite right work it in some more and tie it again. That's how I broke my last two gloves in.

From having it used it for a few months on player skates, I'd say it still feels like that familiar edge, but when you're turning there's much less resistance. If anything I see the FBV edge making it less taxing and easier to get around. I'll have to try on my goalie skates some time too.

90/75 or 90/1 for FBV would be the equivalent of 5/8. Although I've never had an issue on my player skates, the FBV edge is a bit more fragile than a regular hollow. I worry that if you scrap it on a post that it would wipe out that part of the edge. With my new 1X skates I'm currently back at a 1/2. Having not played in a while, I wanted a little less resistance to ease my groin back into things. I was doing 3/8ths, but being 6'2''/200, when I'm not in good enough shape it's taxing as hell for footwork since I'm really digging in. Especially since the ice surfaces I play on tend to be shoddy and softer.

I think that was the most exciting time for me too. That's when gear used to have cooler graphics, and would come in weird color combinations (like Colorado or Dallas colors), not just white with red or blue. Seems like now it's all about specs, and the graphic is an afterthought. I'm pretty sure it was block letters, so Lefevre it is. If I recall there was a difference in the graphic or logo placement on the gloves too if they came from CCM's factory.

Me too. Original P1 and P2 were two of my favorite stock graphics.

Found this old picture yesterday and wanted to share it. RBK Premiers! Probably my favorite and boldest set I've owned. It was like my little version of Fleury's sportsgold set.

It's because the shape of the "cowling-less cowling" doesn't fit over most skate holders. It's the same with bent or damaged player Tuuks. If the latch can't lock the blade evenly into the holder, it's easier to just pop out the blade and sharpen it. There are holders that can do it without having to pop out the blade, such as this one: The 3mm steel width is equivalent to that of a player's steel, and so as long as the sharpener keeps the blade profiled straight, it's actually pretty easy to do compared to the typical 4mm. 4mm usually require more "dialing in" and witness marks (a fancy term for lightly pressing two sections of the blade, one by the toe and one by the heel, against the wheel, and checking out if the marks are even and dead on in the middle of the blade, or if they are off where one side is higher than the other and uneven).

Skated for the first time in 72 days today with my goalie coach. Got to use my new Bauer equipment I picked up last week. First impressions: Bauer 961 XPM helmet: I was worried since I've been using my Itech 961 for such a long time, but it fits almost exactly the same! Very comfortable, especially the new foams they've added. Haven't take one to the head yet, so impact stuff is still to be seen. Bauer 1X Vapor skates: Holy crap. I was not expecting my skating to feel as effortless as it did right off the bat. So much easier to grip with your edges, and the lack of a bulky cowling made me feel more connected to the ice. Also the fact that this was my first time wearing the skate and it both fit and felt more comfortable than my old ones is impressive. When Bauer first put these out I was very skeptical, but this is the real deal. Bauer 1X Vapor pants: Let me just start with saying I detest new pants. The stiffness, the week or two of feeling awkward in every movement. I bought used pants to skip that feeling and just wore them until they felt apart. I was set on SLR pants until I tried these on. So light. The front is a bit tight for space since I'm a tucker, but once I tied the chest protector to the little loop on the pants, they meshed together nicely and interlinked well. The waist is made of a softer, more flexible material, so bending over and moving around was not an issue. Impressive for a first time wear. The legs were a little stiff, but there was no overall awkwardness. I like that they used a stretch liner on the inner thighs which made for a nice pocket for my knee pads to fit without clashing. I even ditched my suspenders because they felt so light and ergonomic that I didn't need them. TL;DR version: Overall, I'm very pleased with the initial skate in all of the gear. Maybe one of these days I'll try a Vapor composite stick if I find a good deal. Bauer is definitely making some really good stuff here after years of being a more on-the-fence brand for me.

Retiring it. I was long overdue for the new one. It's really worn out and unsafe at this point.

New: Bauer 960XPM Old: Itech 961. I had it refurbished in 2012 by Ray at New Image, but I figured it was wise to buy a more up-to-date mask than go for a second refurbishing. It's 11 years old, and I've had it since midgets. Gonna be weird breaking in a new one.

Feel free to use them! I don't. For the most part I'm a social media hermit, haha.