Cosmic

I did not buy the pants specifically for that inner thigh padding, but even if I did, so what? I wanted the knee padding; and I just saw the inner thigh pads as an added bonus. There is one pant (STX Surgeon RX2) and one girdle (Bauer Supreme MX3) that has what seem to be plastic pieces backed by foams, for skaters who want protection in this area. I never bought either, I just noticed it, as well as the lack of padding in this area in my girdle (and every pair of pants that I have ever owned). So, if these pads do not interfere with the skating or movement, then why would one not want to have padding here? I took one puck to this area about a year or so. I was playing forward, trying to support a flurry we were putting on the opposing goalie, and a panicked D-man did a weak lob/chip clear attempt, that I think was going to just scrape my inner thigh and go clear behind me. Instinctively, I angled my inner thigh to knock down the clearing attempt, and it hit into my inner thigh and let me make a play. The D man did not put much on the puck, and it was not hurt, but it left about a 3-4 inch bruise for a week or so that had me thinking, "Wow, from just that?" I also recall a post from about a year ago, a guy here who, as a D man, just instinctively blocked a shot with his inner thigh from the point. I think he ruptured some artery or something or other, and was advised by his doctor not to return unless he could figure how to protect the area. Better to have padding and not need it, then need it and not have it, when that time comes. I realize we cannot prevent and protect from everything, and do not kid myself into thinking that is what I am doing. But why not cover as much as possible, when it is comfortable and easy?

I had to special order these from HM Europe; not sure if they are available yet in the USA. These are the Bauer NG Elite Goalie Padded Jock. I use them for skater, as the Reebok 20K Pro do not have much knee cushion for hard falls and crashes (as I have learned), nor does my CCM girdle have any protection on the inner thigh: Customized with tailbone guard from last model. The CCM Super Tacks Girdle has minimal tailbone protection IMO. Past pants that I had worn had better tailbone cushioning. I fell on my tailbone 30 years ago playing ice hockey, and will always remember the terror:

Returned the Supreme 1S gloves (fingers in the 13s were too small, and the backhand in the 14s was a bit loose):

I stood on a regular body weight digital scale, and the girdle came out to about 4.2 pounds, including the shell (which converts to about 1900 grams). I am not sure if the girdle is lighter and the scale is messed up or what. Also, the shell has a padded belt, like the old Bauer Supreme shells of recent past, so that is adding a bit. Overall, when playing, the girdle feels like nothing compared to those clumsy pants that I was wearing previously. Very happy with the purchase, thus far- we will see how the durability is.

Large in Super Tacks Girdle. 34 inch jean size. You got it (and Large in SuperTacks girdle).

Played first pickup tonight with these, and absolutely loved them. I have been wearing these super heavy Warrior Franchise Pro Stock pants that I picked up at a team sale, which I absolutely loathe (so heavy and cumbersome and they are too big for me/ size Large when I must be a Medium in these). Before these, I was in the Warrior Dynasty girdle, which I like ok, but am not thrilled about. After just one skate, these are infinitely better than the Pro Stock pants, and noticeably better than the Dynasty retails. More to come- I do not like the attachment points for the shell; this is one area that the Dynasty "girdle" definitely has the Super Tacks girdle beat, hands down. Aside from this, I am yet to notice anything that I do not like.

And as I write this Bitcoin is all over the map lol

I like Tone Vays, who claims (or someone else claims about him) to be a former VP at JP Morgan: I like Francis Hunt too: I learned how Bitcoin worked from a guy in my office. Then, I backtracked and took a crash course essentially from these two guys, on how markets work. I've had hundreds of people try to explain markets to me previously, but their voices, their drones, ugh- they always just bored me to tears so I could never wrap my mind around the concepts. For whatever reason, Tone Vays and Francis Hunt, I find to be compelling- I think their voices, I just like. They are both traditional investors who are Bitcoin enthusiasts.

PS- I was thinking further on that response that I wrote. Another (favorable) scenario for BitCoin, that is less "radical" than my skeptical and distrustful thinking on the established institutions is this: If the Winklevoss brothers get their ETF, and the guys who make the investment retirement portfolios (or whatever you call them- 401Ks, Roth IRAs) for Americans who do not want to be bothered to select their assets in their portfolio, then I would imagine that the portfolio managers may throw some Bitcoins into the folk whose retirement goal is 5-20 years out. That drives the demand and price up of Bitcoin and gives it some traction amongst the mainstream. So yea, I do not really care one way or another if the system fails. I just abundance of wealth to be requirement for living on this planet, and see more scenarios where Bitcoin facilitates this. Again, this is not financial advice, just speculation, from a speculative, impulsive guy who does not want to give advice (and just appreciates hearing himself think, through this medium which is our Forum).

I should correct that, perhaps I am not betting against the economy. The gross economy may grow, but if this is simply due to the rich getting richer (the lobbied up corps and banksters), the middle class is squeezed out, and the poor just keep getting more poor, then is that truly growth? Will this situation lend itself to the masses continuing to have faith in traditional means of saving? I doubt it, so, thank you for inviting me to clarify. I consider myself to be betting against the masses continuing to buy in to the legacy institutions, which are not dynamic financial instruments at all. For example, in my Roth IRA, in order to get tax amnesty, I need to go through some miscellaneous guy and his random company, pay them 1.5% of my capital, to then buy VanGuard. The guy says that the money is necessary to pay the people who administer the account. What the hell is so hard about ticking a box that says, in essence, "This guy is saving for retirement so he does not leech the system. Forgive him of his tax." Legacy system - obsolete - evolve or dissolve, please. Anyway, I ran the math, and 15% capital gains tax is about equivalent to this guy's 1.5% total wealth tax that he levies. I should add, that I get no choice at my work in regard to who "manages" my Roth IRA. I quote manage because I go into the software, and I pick the stocks. What the heck does my guy do for me? Nothing, except maybe file some forms to another legacy institution, which creates this nuisance in the first place, to then give this guy a role in the machine of futility. Then banks, and bank accounts. So lame- where's my interest? 0.01% really? Ok, so I have ease of access to small amounts of my money, and what, this is so hard for the legacy system to manage, that they cannot pay me interest? Yea, ok. What do I look like I fell off the turnup truck? Anyway, Bitcoin is all in one- an international bank account that gives big interest. I t can also serve as a Public Trust Social Security fund- at least that is how I plan to use it as I am in for the long haul. In the short haul tho, I like that I can do what I want, when I want, without needing to ask permission from people in expensive buildings with expensive suits (which we pay for) who help me get the bureaucracy that is them, out of the way. Just so analog, the legacy system. Anyway, I like to think I am ahead of the curve, in my realization of my underwhelmedness at the utility that the legacy system provides, in conjunction with my appreciation of this alternative. As more move to this headspace that I am in, I ought to be rewarded for getting here first, according to my understanding of the Bitcoin machine. Do I think this is "Fair?" Like I get to the bus stop first, so I get to choose where I sit? I do not care; I do not think in these terms. It is a means of generating an abundance of wealth (which appears to be a requirement for living on this planet), so I am generating wealth at Bitcoin speed.

I am not sure what margining accounts means. I tried to read up on it, but reading traditional financial material just bores the hell out of me and puts me to sleep (from a quick Google search): https://www.finra.org/investors/understanding-margin-accounts-why-brokers-do-what-they-do If Tone Vays or Francis Hunt could explain it, in a video (I like their voices, they do not put me to sleep) then I could probably get it. I just buy it and sit on it, and am hoping for a Critical Mass Adoption Effect that is gonna make this jump. Sort of like "The Big Short," buying into this is like betting against the economy, which I tend to think to be a safe bet. Obviously, I know little on investing, and am admittedly not even terribly interested in the matter (I just require wealth to live on this planet, and am open to receiving abundance of wealth so I open the channels for reception and accumulation), so please do not take this as financial advice. Anyway, on margining accounts, I doubt it is available. One of the apparent "points" of Bitcoin is P2P investing, selling, which would seem to inherently require having cash on hand and just doing it yourself. No market close, no loans, no calls. I know you can short a coin, with one app, but Francis Hunt advises against shorting, and I am not sophisticated enough anyway to start putting shorts out there. Margining accounts seems to be something that your broker (or whatever 3rd party) does (I got confused when they started talking about "Calls," and I am not researching that today HA!- maybe tomorrow I will learn it).

Anyone paying attention to Bitcoin, and the rest of the cryptocurrency market? https://coinmarketcap.com/

This should correct my faulty turning/ pivoting. I signed up for notifications, and I am IN! haha (but seriously, I am optimistic)

I was in Mako 2 in size 10, and then bought Mako M8 in 9.5 when I realized that I was oversized. I cannot really tell the difference in the 2 boots, aside from the M8 maybe being a bit stiffer (which is fine, as the Mako 2 may have been too flexy). Weightwise, I think that the skates are the same when in same sizes, according to the IW listed weights. I have never weighed my skates.

Quite the contrary. The BC71 will naturally shoot the puck low, due to how closed it is at the toe. I would say BC71 is more closed than P88 (which to me is perfect loft/"slightly open"). And yes, I struggle with keeping the shots low with the 28 as well. If I can pull it back, cup the puck, and then push the shot through, I am good. But, coming across the front of the net and just trying to quick snap a shot, I find I will either get a weak shot off the heel or a high shot off the toe. The BC71 is nice in this regard, because you can unleash and know that no matter where on the blade you make contact, the shot will be low-. You may just pull the puck a bit if you connect at the toe.

If you go to the BASE Facebook page from around May 2015, I think there are 3 really good pics that actually accurately depict the blade. I used the P71 for a short while. It's a closed toe with very slight rocker (less than P88, which I consider a very small rocker). Rounded toe. Length and height about the same as the P88. I liked ripping nasty wristers with it, but it was hard to stick handle with, especially on the concrete like ice that I usually play on, because the blde hardly comes underneath the puck. With the P88/P28 (my curves of choice now), the bottom middle of the blade scoops just a bit, like a very subtle wedge, so that the puck lifts onto the blade a bit when I go from a standstill into motion. With the P71, it is like I am pushing the puck against the gravel-like ice that I play on, and it was super challenging. Thus, I got out of the P71, but I still appreciate it for what it is closed toe/ no rocker- very simple and great at the old school/ old style wrist shot, where you can start the puck from mid toe and just fling the hell out of it at the target. When I played on good ice (which is rare), I did not notice this difficulty which basically was crippling me at my present venue.

AHA! That explains it then. When I ordered from Amazon awhile back, someone from Powerfoot (maybe you Mike?) asked me what skate and size I was. I advised and was sent the inserts. The inserts themselves did not seem thick enough, so I added the extra piece. I just got a new pair of Makos, and put a sample into the skates. The sample seemed alot thicker, and I love it. I like the pressure actually pressing down on my toes. I was wondering why the sample feels different (better/ fuller) than the one that I ordered. I just investigated (I was overseas/away from my skates when I wrote the post so I could not see what was up, but just got back). Looks like the inserts are still intact, but as mentioned, I do not think they are thick enough. To each their own/ personal preference and all that.

I'm not Mike, but I have the PowerFoot Inserts in my Easton Mako M8s. The toe box of the Mako looks alot like the new toe box (the plastic anatomical one, not the old carbon one) of the VH. I think I heard that VH greatly reduces negative space in the toe box. So, if the shape is the same as Mako, but less negative sace, then it should fit, but you may experience more pressure in the toe box than intended. It just depends on the negative space there. So, obviously, I would not use the additional space filler that comes with the inserts, as this will likely just be too much (and I think with the extra bell and whistle of that thing, it just increases the chances of malfunction- in my last skates, I think that the addition of this second piece caused the insert to come undone- I pulled something out of my skate one day that looked like that piece, and then just played, and have since never investigated.

Gotta call them.

Stick specs- STX Surgeon RX2.1, 85 flex, X88 pattern Reviewer Background- 6'2, 215 lbs, limited experience in ice hockey (1 year playing on a team in 1988-1989). I have played a bit of street hockey (very informal/ casual 2 v 2 mostly, sometimes with a goalie, in the front yard when I was a kid). I played some inline hockey- more than ice, way less than I played street. Took up ice hockey again in August 2013, after a long layoff (I played 3 months of pick up, in 1995-1996). I have used this stick 2-3x/week for about 5 months. I bought this stick for 2 reasons: 1) I wanted to try the PureGrip shaft design, and 2) I thought this to be an excellent value stick. The RX2 weights 425 grams, this one weighs 455 grams, for about half the price, with the same blade. So, seems to be a no brainer, until someone else tells me that they want to sponsor me and buy my sticks. Blade - The blade has a nice feel to it. It is thinner than the last blade that I was using (a BASE Hockey blade that I had connected to a shaft), which I like. It seems strong and stiff, but I assume it flexes appropriately when I shoot. I never tried to flex it with my hands; no need to compromise the integrity of it I suppose. The blade itself is neither dampened nor lively. The blade does feel easy to stickhandle with, but it is hard to say if that is due to how easy it is to handle the PureGrip shaft, or the blade itself. The puck does not seem to come off the blade terribly "hot." It is ok, I have scored my share of goals, but I attribute it more to accurate shots (on the occasions that I actually have hit the target) and goalie screens, than to me blasting shots by goalies who are made inefficient due to my blistering shot. The blade has held up well, durability wise. So, although there is nothing about the blade that has me saying, "This is the best blade ever!," I also cannot find fault with it. Score: 8.75/10 Shaft/Flex - This is where it gets interesting. PureGrip technology is epic, for a guy who has mostly played street and inline hockey. One of the more difficult aspects of the game to adjust to for me has been squeezing the shaft to receive passes and shoot. This is not necessary in street hockey when one is using the rubber ball. So, for the first year or so of my comeback, I did not even know about this necessity of squeezing the shaft when working with these aspects of the game. Still, I often do not squeeze the shaft hard enough, even when I remember to perform this action, when using a traditional shaft, as evidenced by the stick deflecting in my hands to flub shots and pass receptions. However, with the PureGrip, I no longer have these issues. I pretty much successfully receive all passes now, unless I mis align the blade, or the puck is bouncing, but neither of these items are the fault of the stick. The dual kick point is another "interesting" feature. I am not yet as sold on it, as I am on the PureGrip. Sure, I score goals, get shots off quickly, and get hard shots- usually not all 3 at the same time though (and I am faaaaaaaaaar from a good player, just saying I have experienced some limited success). It seems that in order to get this aspect of the stick to work with the user, one would need a ton of reps to figure the sweet spots in hand placement and shot type. Regardless, it works well enough, while just using it in an intuitive manner. Although it does not kick as quick or hard, usually, as my Warrior Covert QR Pro, it does, on occasion, kick similarly, when I apparently use the stick in the manner it was meant to be used (or when I get lucky or whatever is happening). Flex is a bit stiff. I was in an 85, and am moving into a 75 tomorrow. Perhaps this is more me than the stick, and I am just coming to awareness of where I ought to be (after having been confused by a number of factors- such as the Oggie Ergo grip adding so much flex when I had previously installed it on other sticks, and since I used a chippy stick previously anyway- the Warrior Covert QR Pro). Score: 10/10 (I am now pretty useless when I use other sticks, as the deflection factor is now more pronounced when I try to take big shots, and receive hard passes.) Stickhandling/receiving passes - like butter, as described above (due to the shaft geometry working seamlessly with the contour of the hand) Score: 10/10 Shooting - Shooting is just ok. I have great control with the shaft, but the kick just seems ok. This could be due to my being in a curve that I have just recently found to be a bit crippling (P88). I am moving into the P28, to be able to shoot off of the toe. Perhaps this will improve this score in the future, and is actually no fault of the stick. So, figure this score to be somewhere between a 7 and a 10; we will see how the next 6 months go. Weight and balance - For the price? 10/10. However, since value is not factored into these ratings, the stick does feel a bit heavier than my QR Pro- nothing enormous, but noticeable. The weight is nicely balanced, though. Score: 8/10. Durability - I have blocked some pretty hard shots at the neck of the stick, thinking as the shot hit, “Why the heck am I blocking shots in pick-up with a $160 stick, in a country that does not sell this stick?” To my surprise, no damage. I have noticed some nicks, that I have filled with epoxy to reinforce. Score: 9.25/10 Intangibles - I cannot go back to standard shaft geometry (again, unless someone wants to sponsor me and try to pry me away from the PureGrip). Score: 10/10 Conclusion - Love the concept, and looking forward to trying a new flex (75) and pattern (X28) in this stick (STX Surgeon RX2.1). I have a vision of my leaning on this technology to bridge the gap between myself and more skilled and experienced players. It may be a fantasy, maybe I am giving too much undue credit to the stick? Perhaps, I will provide another update in 3-6 months. Score: 56/60 Granted, a lot of this close to perfection achievement is due to how much I appreciate the PureGrip. If you have been playing a ton of hockey, are used to the box shaft geometry and may find the new feel to be distracting or unhelpful, then I would not advise this stick. If, however, you are a bit of a newb or more accustomed to street/inline hockey with a lighter puck (ball), then do yourself a favor and pick this stick up (just sample it; but do not buy unless you are feeling it) at the pro shop, and see if you like it.

Grabbed a pair of M8s on clearance; and gonna give the X28 a try. Also trying a new flex (75).

I like how you tell us how many sticks you have. As if, we might be worried in case one might break, how you might get by HAHA! I will follow suit: Helmet - CCM Resistance Cage - TCCM Res 300 (white) Shoulder pads - CCM RBZ 130 LE Elbows - STX Surgeon 500 Gloves - Warrior QRL Pro Girdle/ Shell - Warrior Dynasty/ Warrior Dynasty Shins - Reebok 20K Skates - Easton Mako 2 Sticks - 85 flex STX Surgeon RX2.1 X88; 75 flex STX Surgeon 2.1 X88 and 75 flex STX Surgeon 2.1 X28 pending my arrival home (I have 3 sticks too!)

In motorcycle helmets terminology (oval, intermediate oval, and narrow), I have an intermediate oval to narrow head, which is kind of not a wide head. Wide would be oval. The CCM Resistance fits me perfectly- not sure if it is just a super comfy helmet, or if it is an intermediate oval to narrow fit.

I think he is saying that the body/ skating technique adapts to messed-up-endess (bad sharpening)- like a - times a - = a + kind of thing. So, when a guy whose skating and body has adapted to bad equipment (or, in this case, just the sharpening); and then all of a sudden the guy gets proper equipment, then he has to unlearn the bad habits/ maladaptations. I think I get it.