Allsmokenopancake

I hang mine upside down, simply because gravity dictates that any moisture should fall down and out, if there is enough there

Allsmoke, what blades do you use? They look pretty straight til the midpoint then they curve out. I may just be able to use a set-up like that. The blades on the outside right of the locker are, in this order (from left to right) Black Beauty BB9 Koho Hybrid (not sure on the curve though) Koho Jagr (it's the old Koho Bullett wood stick) Bauer Gagne (it's an old Bauer Truflex OPS) And on the left outside of the locker if thats what you were looking at... The first 2 are Koho Jagr, the Torpedo wood sticks The third is a Forsberg on an Easton ABS wood stick And the spare blades on the inside of the locker are Christian (not sure on the curve) Bauer Peca Easton Modano Christian (again, not sure on the curve) Bauer Jokinen Hope that helps, if you want me to get a better angle on any of them, let me know, I will do that tonight

Try this one, there are 15 pics that should be there http://new.photos.yahoo.com/gavin2802/albu...8804355942280/0

Here is my stuff Clicky clicky

It's from our charity pickup game, skill level ranges from beginner to advanced. Out of all the pics, this was the only one with me in it, apart from one with skating away from the net with my back to the camera. But yeah, that pic does look pretty unorganized :) Boston guy just passed to Portland guy, who is going to throw puck up the boards, I am moving sweeping stick to block it, other two guys are moving in too. After all, defense is over rated, every man to the puck!!!

Like NNI this is the only one I have of me I'm #15 in the old buffalo style jersey, front and center

Sputnik, You make valid points. One aspect of online shopping, and saving money that will be very hard to get rid of is naievity. When I first thought about getting into hockey I signed up for some skate lessons. After one lesson in rentals, I went to the pro-shop in the rink to get a pair of entry level skates. The guy there fitted me quickly, gave me one skate in my price range and told me it was good. I said I had wide feet, he gave me CCM 252 tacks. I paid $130 for those. When I started doing research on gear (before I found MSH), I found hockeymonkeygiant. I saw my same skates for $79.99. At that stage, my concern was not "how to keep the LHS in business", it was "he knew I was only starting hockey, and tried to rip me off" I then ordered my protective gear from the monkey. I bought my pants, gloves and helmet at replay sports. It was only a few months later when I heard the argument for the LHS that I gave any consideration to it. When I went back to this particular shop, I found the staff to be reasonably friendly, but helpful. I made clear I didn't have a lot of money for new gloves (the used ones had at this stage fallen apart), and they basically said, "these are in your price range" and gave me TPS. Which are a good glove, just not on my hand. Then I found another LHS near where I work. I went up there because my tacks kept hurting me, like my foot didn't fit down into it enough. THIS LHS sat me down, measured my foot, put me in a pair of Bauer Supreme 30's. Explained what the benefits of the boot were, and while they were not top end, that they were stiff enough for someone of my size to get comfortable in. He did not try to oversell me on anything, didn't try to get me to even go an extra $50 for the Supreme50's. I understand the LHS needs our cash to continue to operate, but with that, comes expectations. Since my skate purchase there, I have probably spent an additional $500 there, which might not be much, but its my entire hockey buget for the last 6 months, with the exception of some used items purchased here. If I ever need something new, I will go back there. I have no problem paying a fitting fee if it is waived if the skate is bought there. But this shop carries most brands. If the LHS only carries CCM/Bauer (like the caps practice facility pro-shop), then a fitting fee is unfair, as you don't have full range of products, so may not find whats good on your foot. If the LHS (like my one now) gives as good a service as I have got to everyone, there will be little complaints about the extra few dollars. And everyone who asks me where to get something, I will always refer them to ForSports because of how they treated me, a small budgetted beginner adult player

NikeBauer Supreme 30 10 D Reviewer's Stats 6’3’’ 240 lbs Normal footshape, I think. Beginner Adult level player Introduction – When I decided I would try to learn hockey, I signed up for lessons, and used rental skates for my first lesson. After that, I went straight to the pro-shop, asked for a pair of skates suitable for a beginner. I was put in CCM Tacks, 252, because I told the guy I had a wide foot. I then upgraded to 852’s, thinking the pain was just skate pain. After constant pain, I went to another shop near me in Laurel, and was fitted in a pair of Bauer Supreme 30’s, regular width. Fit - As I mentioned, I had thought I had wide feet, but the regular width fitted me fine. I have been skating on them now for a few months. One thing I noticed was my left foot which was initially fine, began hurting as the skate broke in for me. As I couldn’t get gray superfeet locally, I put in a pair of Shock Doctor hockey insoles to replace the flimsy standard NBH ones. Immediate difference, and while I have ordered some superfeet online, I am not going to change the shock doctor footbed as the skate now fits me perfectly. 9/10 fit Blade/Holder – Tuuk custom +. I don’t know how to evaluate this part of the skate properly, so here is my general feelings on it. I feel like I am a little further back in my stance on the skates, and for me, that’s great, I find it helps my stability on the ice. This may be a product of my own improvement as a skater, but I felt like I was a little more forward on the balls of my feet in Tacks. I usually go about 10-12 ice hours between sharpenings, and that works out well for me. In my opinion for the edge to hold up for that long, with my weight, it can only be a good thing for the blade. 10/10 (gets a 10 because I have no problems, but also don’t have knowledge/experience to know different) Weight - Weight is not a huge factor for me at the moment. I am about 240 lbs, I don’t think an extra couple of pounds will make a huge difference for my level. That being said, I do not feel like I am wearing bricks on my feet. They certainly feel lighter than the Tacks I was wearing,. 8/10 Protection - I have only had one instance where I took a puck off my skate so far, and it didn’t even register on my pain scale. I don’t play a high level, so big slappers are not going to be an issue. The skate padding feels solid, from the toe right up to the tendon guard. For the price of the skate, I think they offer excellent protection 10/10 Durability -. I have been skating on these for a few months now, and they still feel good as new. The one thing I really like, compared to the tacks, is the toe. The tacks had a cloth material on the toe, the NBH are a plastic toe. While this may not seem like a big deal, it means to me that other skate marks just create scratches, rather than tears on the toe. I like this. The skates still feel very stiff, and have had no breakdowns in any area that I can feel. 10/10 Conclusion - I paid about $150ish after tax for these, which included baking and first sharpening, so it was cheaper to by at a store than online after you factor in shipping costs, then having to have them sharpened. For that price I really couldn’t ask for anything more in a skate. They are comfortable (with SD footbeds), the edges hold up great for a big guy on the ice, the protection has been first rate when tested. Very satisfied overall. 9/10 (this rating based on entry level skate, for a beginner adult, take that into consideration when using this review) A little side note. I hope this helps players who can't afford high end gear, or can't justify high end gear costs yet. I would love to see some more mid level/affordable reviews here. Cheers

Maybe taped over "THG"

The Fratellis They are a scottish band, my brother sent me their album a couple of months back. It's called Costello Music. Their album comes out over here next month, highly recommended. That new Itunes ad (with the warhol type colours) uses one of their songs, called Flathead

Yeah, it was skaters paradise. They didn't shut down, just relocated to Waldorf. Caravan did close down, but I heard it may be reopening as a shop/training facility, although have no clue. I use For Sports up in Laurel now, I work in greenbelt, so only a 15 minute drive from here, and really really good service

When I was back home in Ireland, I drove an 88 mark 2 Golf GTI, then I was on the way into Derry one night, and may or may not have been going a little fast, and blew the engine. Couldn't afford to get it replaced with a GTI, so got a 1990 Jetty Diesel engine put in, broke my heart. Over here I have a 2004 Sante Fe

Gomez Futureheads Kings of Leon The Frames

My updated list (all mid level) Skates: Bauer Supreme 30 Gloves: CCM Vector 4 Pants: Itech 8000 pro (love them) Shins/shoulder/elbows: Koho 3360 Helmet: NBH 4500 xl with the cage from my old Bauer 1000 Sticks: 3 Koho Woodies, Jagr curve, Bauer Truflex, Gagne curve, Easton Woodie, Modano/Forsberg curve, 3 shafts (all easton I think) 1 Jokinen composite blade, 2 christian wood blades, and one Bauer Peca wood blade

I agree. But Washington... Will they ever have a chance to reach to the final? They have been more times that ottawa in the last 10 years

It should be "what do you call a life dedicated to hockey? I call it two minutes for diving"

Some of the RBK jerseys look OK, that one looks like crap. That one actually glows under a camera flash. They are the reebok practice jerseys Pic of Ovey at training camp last year with his shiny sleeves More shiny reebok goodness (tiny tim in the photo name is chris bourque)

Update for me Skates - CCM 852 tacks Shins, Elbow, Chest - Same old koho still serving me well Helmet - NBH 4500 with the cage taken from my old bauer 1000 helmet Pants - Itech 8000 after I bust the tailbone on my bauer 1000 had to change Gloves - Vector 4's, changed from the TPS bionic, best move ever Sticks - Same, 3 Jagr curve Koho woodies, one Bauer Truflex Gagne OPS

Understood, thanks. Mt. Vernon is my local (30 min) rink, they used to have a pro-shop across the road, but it moved to waldorf (I think) so my closest is in reston (45 minutes) and the guys are great, but the stock is limited. I buy when I can, and I don't need skates, was just looking for mid level alternatives, to see if they fit me better Thanks though really ashburn and laurel are the best shops in the DC area. Other then that you will end up with a limited stock of gear. I have been to both ashburn and laurel, and while the selection is better they go from low to high end and leave out the middle. I got my first pair of skates there, ccm 252's. Now they have the 292s, and 492s, then its the top end vector pros, xxx's. I only need mid level gear, and its damn hard to come by in this area in my size (I wear 11.5 ccm skates). There is limited sizing, and the larger foot goes untended I have found. Laurel told me they could order my skates, but I had to pay for them even if they didn't fit. So what difference is it buying there and buying online?

Understood, thanks. Mt. Vernon is my local (30 min) rink, they used to have a pro-shop across the road, but it moved to waldorf (I think) so my closest is in reston (45 minutes) and the guys are great, but the stock is limited. I buy when I can, and I don't need skates, was just looking for mid level alternatives, to see if they fit me better Thanks though

Jimmy, if you don't mind me asking, where are you located, or what is your store website. I wouldn't have any problem buying from any of the LHS workers here over hockeymonkey or the likes if they have my size etc. I don't buy top end gear, so I don't save a lot by going online. My LHS (I live in the washington dc area, actually in No VA, and my nearest rink is 30 minutes, and it does not have a pro shop, my nearest pro-shop is 45 minutes, and as I said in another thread, I buy gloves, sticks helmet etc there, and my last pair of skates, but they only carry bauer/ccm) does not have a huge inventory, but if I could buy from msh'ers I certainly would Cheers

No it was me. I have two trips home to Ireland this year, so putting the gear and goalie on the back burner for now. Still want to do it but just can't at the minute. Lot of initial expense. Thats the problem being my age and coming from Ireland, all my friends and cousins are at the marrying age, so all my money and vacation time is spend going home to rainy Donegal

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/1733/allgear8ah.jpg This is my gear as posted earlier in the thread And my latest edition as of friday, new nike ignite LX roller http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gavin2802/de...scd.jpg&.src=ph

I love the feel of the vectors. There was nothing wrong with the TPS, my thumb was just a bit long for them, so were not sitting right on me. But loving the Vectors. Honestly, the blades I don't know a whole lot yet, I can pass ok with the Jagr blades, but I find it so much easier to lift the puck with the Gagne blade. Once I get better I am going to get some blades to put in my TPS (not pictured) rubber shaft, but don't have any for it yet. It was $50 for the shaft at my lhs, so bought it thinking I would use it in the future, for now, I am happy to keep learning the game, then will start buying cheap blades and experimenting when I know whats feeling better for me, and have more control

Belfast Giants jersey from home, Bauer truflex Gagne OPS, 3 Koho Woodies, all Jagr curves CCM Tacks 852 (upgraded from my ankletastic 252's Blades, tape removed, one with an example of why not to leave a damn thing within sniffing distance of a dog who loves to chew TPS Bionic gloves http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/672/vector41it.jpg New gloves, CCM Vector 4 (as you can see, none of my stuff is high end, I am still a newcomer to the sport, which is addictive, but the vector 4 I just picked up a couple of weeks ago getting a sharpening, and I think I am in love with them) And the obligitory shot of everything I don't know why the ccm gloves are so big, I checked the resize button