BadAngle41

On 5/24/2022 at 12:31 PM, ZeroGravitas said:

I screwed up with the spec table in the first post and wrote Poron in the Palm, when I had actually specced (and received) Poron in the Thumb. I always go with this spec because that is the only way to reinforce the thumb. When you step up to a pro palm, you are now speccing Poron in the palm (though I do not know if it is 3mm worth of Poron). Practice palms will get you some Curv, which is otherwise not present in the palm in Game Ready or Pro.

I did the same spec for US (+ reinforcing the tee perimeter, which I've also done for Mach) and I thought it closed fairly easily. I think @wvuviv30 and @BadAngle41 might be able to attest to the closure.

@Puckstopper for comparison my CCM Axis had the added D3O in the palm and the US closed much better than my Axis. To that point... I don't know if either will ever truly feel broken in the same was gloves that omit that option would though. The top of the UltraSonic T has an actual split in the plastics at the break which I think helps tremendously. 

8 hours ago, ZeroGravitas said:

What size are you? I have a set of Ultrasonics in size Small.

What's the color scheme on those again? You looking to find a new home for the whole set?

7 hours ago, ThatCarGuy said:

So, at what point am I banned from lacing my glove pockets?

What is it you're looking for the mesh to accomplish over nylon or skatelace? Just easier to replace? Feel? Vision into the pocket?

12 hours ago, ilyazhito said:

That is a serious performance issue. 

Seems to be working out ok for him.

On 3/22/2022 at 10:33 AM, insertnamehere said:

I just recently sold my Audi S4 due to not being able to justify spending more on gas in a month than one of my mortgage payments. Gas prices are crazy. I was paying $7.37 (CAD) per gallon.

Listed the car on a Saturday, sold it the next day at 6 pm, bought a Mazda 3 hatchback at 7. Instantly started to save upwards of $300 a month in gas, the Passau bag actually fits in the back nicely, insurance is cheaper, parts and labour are cheaper. I don't like driving it nearly as much though. Going from 400 horsepower with a lovely stick shift and rear biased AWD system to 155 and FWD is a bummer. 

I had a Mazda Protege 5 a while back... like you said... it didn't blow the doors off with power but it held everything and was fun to drive. Of course I modified it some... but was a great car. Pretty sure the only "performance" AWD Mazda made relatively recently was the Mazdaspeed 6. Finding one of them now in good condition isn't far off from a unicorn.

10 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

These are sick

@BadAngle41 - right up your alley too

I've already been playing around with L87 customizer... seeing these doesn't help either. Anxious to hear more about them.

On 3/30/2022 at 4:38 PM, bunnyman666 said:

Added more flump to the thigh rise by stuffing some Dacron in the thigh. There could be temporarily hotter rebounds until the new flump settles and becomes flumpy. 
 

Pics to come.

Dacron?!?! If you ran out of horse hair you could have just asked one of the local hot shots to help you use the Google and find some more…

https://www.mjamsdenfurniture.com/product/horse-hair/

14 hours ago, moore00 said:

Is this the version everyone is using successfully?  

12 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

IIRC -

@BadAngle41 is using the Vivid

I actually used Xpel Ultimate Plus... although I can't really speak to it's longevity as I removed it after a skate or two because the sliding was just too much for my liking. That said, I do have it on my car and it's a great product. The seal along the edges of the pad were really good even though I didn't put as much effort into the process as I would if I was going to keep the product on my pads. Also, I'm not sure about the Vivid and 3M materials... but the Xpel has a self healing property which removes scratches and abrasions when exposed to light heat.

While I do air my stuff out after every skate... a certain amount of funk is inevitable. I started using Microbahn over the past couple years, spray things down like once a month or so. Smells decent and actually kills bacteria etc. 

Great topic and awesome work @ArdeFIN!! As much as I like my Axis set the glove is a touch stiff still... not nearly as snappy to close & open as previous iterations. Really cool to see someone dive into the glove and see what the results of stepped tinkering does.

On 1/29/2022 at 8:35 AM, SaveByRichter35 said:

Anyone have this stuff on blue pads?

Well the ppf is clear... so it'll still look blue... just a little more glossy. 

Ended up finding a cage this past weekend on the inter-web... for anyone else in need it looks like Perani's sill has a few chrome in stock...

https://www.hockeyworld.com/CCM-Pro-Non-Certified-Cat-Eye-Goalie-Cage-Sr

21 hours ago, ArdeFIN said:

I'm happy using my Polar H10 but it's the around the chest style belt. Saves all the data into belts inbuilt memory and in the locker room loads the data to mobile app via BT.

Biggest issue is contacting the BT to my phone every now and then but restarting the BT on phone does the trick. And just to mention the belt feels damn cold even if you moisten it with hot tap water. Only for few seconds that feeling lasts but yeah. 

H10 owner here as well... and I have tried to use it on ice a few times but I had issues with it moving and getting gaps in my data. Doesn't happen during normal workouts in large part I think because sweat isn't as contained as it is under baselayer and C/A. Ever have any issues with sternum shot right where the monitor sits? Reason I ask is I don't feel much under the Passau as it has Maltese inside... but I also haven't worn it in my faster paced skates... only the more relaxed ones.

16 hours ago, Snowman30 said:

http://www.goaliecages.com/product-category/fits-ccm/

Probably your best bet. Where cats eye got banned in Canada it's rare to find a stock one. The company that makes these cages supplies most mask companies with there cages

Thanks @Snowman30... I'm holding out a glimmer of hope to find a genuine CCM cage... utilizes flat bar on the vertical and lower arch. I mean round bar wouldn't noticeably change the visibility but it's just been interesting to use thus far. I appreciate you taking the time to reply back and even post a CCM specific link. 

Monday bump…

Picked up a new Axis Pro mask and looking for a new CCM replacement cage or two for it (size M/L.) Not picky about white or chrome… just want to stick with authentic CCM cage. Online has been a bit of a dead end thus far but wondering if anyone has one laying around to sell… or if you local pro shop has one you’d be willing to buy and ship at my expense of course. 

DM me if you have any interest in selling to me or souring for me.
Any general leads… either online or with contact info… are also appreciated and can be posted below for anyone else in need to find as well. 

Update on PPF applied to SpeedSkin:

I purchased XPEL brand PPF along with a pen of their adhesion promoter. Prior to applying it to the pad I cleaned them with 50/50 alcohol mixture and used a spray of water with a few drops of dish soap to slightly lubricate when applying. 
Trimming to shape and leaving 1/2” or so all the way around, I used a vinyl applicator squeegee with microfiber cover to push out any air bubbles. Peeling back slightly at edges and crevices I applied adhesion promoter and it tacks immediately. 
While I have a heat gun, I used a hair dryer on high temp setting to help stretch over corners and a new Exacto blade to carefully trim excess from edges. 
Based on the recommendation of @Chenner29 I applied to the knee blocks and calf wedges, omitted surfaces forward of that for this trial. Lastly I applied to the inner boot just to see how it held up on an area that flexes. Admittedly I was a little sloppy on the corners of knee blocks… but again this was just a trial for me. To wrap it all up I employed the blow dryer again to help work out and creases and bubbles and really push The PPF into crevices. 

Pros:

• Applied easy and adhered pretty well to SpeedSkin although it certainly grabbed onto jenpro better. Edges are by far the most important areas of adhesion so getting those stuck down real well is the key. The rest of the surface is icing on the cake.

• GLIDING. No longer will you slide… rather with an amazingly small amount of effort I was gliding over the surface. As good on roughed up snow cover stuff as it is on fresh wet stuff. 
 

Cons:

• Gliding. Personally I’d need a solid week or more of daily ice time to retrain my muscle memory to effectively use this stuff. I was sliding so far past what I normally would it was ridiculous. If you’re being honest with yourself and you don’t have good edge work in the butterfly… this probably isn’t for you. I’d like to think I’m pretty good… but instinct had me pushing hard at times and flying across the ice. You’ll get there (or past there) on your initial push but if you can’t control that distance well… you can kiss any chance of recovery on a rebound goodbye. You’ll be way out of position. 

Side Note:

• It has been mentioned with the 3M product (and maybe that does it more so than XPEL) but I noticed a slight stickiness if PPF covered surfaces touched when throwing my gear in the car. But can’t say I noticed it on the ice at all. If it was an issue but I wanted to cover everything forward of the blocks and wedge I’d probably just not apply anything north of the knee block. You really don’t need to apply to those areas though. 

1 hour ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Shh, don't let the 580's think they're normal.

580s are very well aware we’re not normal… we’re exceptional!!!

4 hours ago, ArdeFIN said:

Just to make sure, the NME VTX and 960 (whatever extension) are the same construction, just fitting different shapes of head?

I cannot fit my head inside Profile and the NME fits my head shape perfectly.

Not much about gear sitings anymore in this conversation, sorry! 

Shell construction and padding are different between Profile and NME. Fit obviously is as well. NME line being a more generous fit and Profile being intended for more narrow faces. 

15 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Brutal. I'm surprised your melon can fit all of those to consider them. I'm in a VTX as well and my head did not fit a 960 or a coveted. The CCM's and Warriors would be alright, but nowhere near as comfortable as the NME/VTX series.

I'm thankful my VTX holding up very well.

But I also duck.

I loved the mask and my head would usually be a profile shape… but went a size down and picked up a VTX. 
First VTX cracked in the chin… was under warranty so I got a replacement… then the replacement just cracked the weekend before Christmas in nearly exact same spot. 

960 is a known for me… Axis would be my first CCM mask. No downside to a 960… just sold out everywhere at the moment. Axis padding interests me. 

19 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Wild Speculation?!? Sign me up.

"I'm certain that @BadAngle41 is so stuck on a 580 break because of too many shots to the head".

I’d disagree but I can’t remember why. 

Coincidentally I did just have another VTX crack on the chin… so while it did handle some heavy shots very well… I won’t be getting another. Debating Axis or the latest 960. 

12 hours ago, ThatCarGuy said:

Came across these while scrolling through instagram. Picture was posted by GGN. I would’ve thought nothing of it but the normal knee rolls and lack of EFlex logos caught my eye. I wonder if this is potentially a 2023 prototype. It’s a bit odd to see one in the wild this early though. And if this is a prototype does it mean EFlex is getting a name change in 2023? 

10 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

2 things come to mind -

1) feedback on the EF5 knee rolls was negative, so they're rolling it back

2) bringing back the RetroFlex as an option (possibly due to #1)

3 hours ago, Puckstopper said:

Looking at the pics on Instagram it really does look like a reincarnation of Retroflex.   Having used both Axis and EF5 there's a lot of overlap there and definitely room for a softer pad below those lines for goalies who want that.  You might not go out of your way to create such a line, but if you've already got the dies laying around, you might as well cater to demand.   Or, it could be one of those Major Junior/NCAA and up options...

Also, other than aesthetics, I'm not sure why the EF5 kneeroll feedback was so negative.   They make zero difference in how the pads play (other than improving predictability over EF4 by being flat). 

As much as I’d like to give Bauer another try on my next set… their lack of 580… my OCD in having matching gear… and the potential of options from CCM that allow for Axis performance with retroflex look… count me in on that!!!

Personally I don't mind Jenpro on sliding surfaces... but have used CORTech skin on 2X Pro and now have SpeedSkin on my Axis set. For the sake of experimentation I'm going to throw the Axis set in the ring and picked up some XPEL Ultimate Plus to try. I have the same product on my car and a benefit to this over some of its competitors is a "Heat Activated Self-Healing Topcoat Constructed from an elastomeric polyurethane, ULTIMATE PLUS will self-heal light scratches & swirl marks with a light heat application to the film's surface."

I probably will be a little OCD about prepping the surface the XPEL is being applied to... but also cautious not to apply anything that might have a negative effect on the SpeedSkin should I decide not keep it on. 

I'll also be interested if XPEL has the same tackiness to itself like @johncho and some other have mentioned experiencing with the 3M product. 

16 hours ago, Vanniek71 said:

Yep those are the leading candidate, but they are 4 weeks out on black

15 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

Seconded on the Pro's Choice snaps.  Only offered in white or cream though.

I've used the Outsiders and didn't like them as much, the elastic material seemed to wear out much quicker.

If black is what you need and you want to tinker... based on the note from @Chenner29 pick up some Pros Choice in cream and dye them black yourself. Best of both worlds... good straps... and you get to make them your own. Could also go full JBo and paint them.

@Vanniek71 I haven't used these myself... but Outsider straps won't have a problem with corrosion as they are just the elastic looped through what looks to be jenpro. 

https://goalieparts.com/products/the-original-outsider-straps-open-backplate-goalie-mask-replacement-straps-by-wzlhed.html