IPv6Freely

Well that's just weird. I'm a bit spoiled having a Goalie Monkey about an hour or so away, though its been a long time since I've been there (I wear almost nothing you can buy retail at this point). I also saw the Optik stuff at Pure Hockey in Troy MI (or Novi, I honestly can't remember which it was).

Hopefully this site takes off (more than it already has!) and we start getting demo gear from vendors to try! I got lucky that I'm a member of another already well-established site, which is where I got my demo from.

They were doing the same for me, right up until I tried them. They're still gorgeous though!

Yea, they offered a replacement. I said I didn't want a replacement because I couldn't trust that it wouldn't happen again, even with the design change. If it happened in the local parking lot it'd be one thing, but when it happens trying to get through an airport on the other side of the country and having to drag it around is another. They instead offered me a discount on a 3-pack of custom sticks, so thats why I ordered the ones you saw in the other thread So I guess it works out for them. Not only do they not have to send me a new bag, but they actually make more money because it only covered about half the cost. Win-win for everyone!

I'd go with the CCM just because I wouldn't touch anything with a Vaughn logo on it But in all seriousness, it looks like a better bag when I saw them both in person. Especially if you're going to be on planes with it like I would be - the extra carry handles might not seem necessary in every day situations but they'd likely be really helpful for air crew loading it onto the plane I need something for this summer's MSH SummerJam and since the Passau bag failed on first use I need to consider something else. That CCM bag is top of my list. I'm also considering just using my GRIT bag with the pads in their own separate pad bag (that I already own). I'm just a bit concerned about how it will hold up.

My opinion still stands.

My statement still stands. You've just found a way to compensate for the inability to find a hollow that works for you when freshly sharpened.

I don’t agree. I wore both Reactors and Nexus at one point and found them very similar.

I agreed with your first paragraph but the equations threw me off because the reactor very much fit like player nexus. If the vapor goal skate fits like the old reactor then so be it but the old reactor fit like the player nexus, not like the player supreme.

I meant to each his own on believing that it's personal preference, so no irony here. Sorry.

Reactor doesn't fit like either of them. Comparing to player skates, Reactor fits like a Nexus (mostly). I couldn't wear supreme or vapor (totally different shapes). Ended up going VH because I couldn't find anything retail.

I disagree on the personal preference statement but to each his own.

Funny I always see guys get their skates done and immediately start trying to dull them one way or another. The other thing of course is if you go forever not getting them done, then yes of course they're going to feel terrible. You need to find a hollow that works for you and keep it consistent. Prime reason I bought the Sparx.

If you hate sharp skates then you’re on the wrong hollow.

You wrap tape... around your C/A??

I was an early Kickstarter backer for the Sparx. One of the best purchases I've ever made! The VH are almost three years old now, I believe. It's a pair of black Bauer One80 (no vertexx cutout) holders from a pro return pair of Reactor 6000 skates. 4mm step black steel. Planning on going to a 2-piece True skate with step holders sometime in the next year, but my VH are still fantastic so no real reason to upgrade yet. EDIT: Just looked. I've had them since July 1, 2015.

I've been on Sparx 1/2" for a long time, but I got two free Sparx rings so I ordered my normal 1/2" but also a 3/8" to try it out.

Hopefully not.

I should do a proper review of the Optiks but honestly I didn’t experience anything different enough from what I have now to bother, other than not liking the glove as much as I thought I would.

Not really. I’m just talking about pushing from side to side from a standing position. I get down onto the ice and just...stop.

Fantastic looking pads! I’d definitely get the primo on the inside like that (since that’s now finally stock on the Optiks) but I don’t find it to be any better. Others love it though.

Anything from Barrie is bound to be great.

Mine aren't the same model, but they're also CCM pro returns that confirm to the new NHL spec, and I totally agree with @BadAngle41 in the way they fit over the knee pads. I often have to reach in and kind of re-adjust things because they're getting hung up while trying to get my leg through because of the narrower opening. I also took out the velcro'd in outer thigh pads as I found they simply weren't necessary for me and they just made pulling the pants up that much harder.

Probably so. The seam line on the shoulders of the New Jersey’s makes everyone look blocky, goalies more so.

I actually just checked and you're right. The Potvin was $300, the Star Wars mask was $470 (that includes powder-coating for both cages). I thought I remembered it being high-300s. Nevermind, carry on