XeF4

Yeah me too, and I was always less agressive about this crap thean most employees. You know how people say the workers sneeze (or worse) on your Pizza if your an asshole customer at a pizzeria? Well I'm convinced that the crossgrind wheel was invented by a disgruntled LHS worker, because I've seen the merciless fury that it can wreck in the hands of a PO'd skate tech.

The most annoying thing is people holding their skates up in the air, shaking them, and not even saying a word expecting you to know that means sharpen my skates. Me and this other guy I use to work with use to just say something along the lines of, 'I don't read minds so, if you want me to sharpen your skates your going to have to ask me.' Yeah it was pretty rude and I kinda regret being a jerk like that, but I learned that when ever you need service, ask people politely, like they are doing you a favor, because they are, and the last they need is some rich jackass making them feel like a monkey.

keep your head up ;)

I haven't seen the stuff first hand, but do the ag and xp boots have the same pitch? they look completly different in the pics.

Well, the marketing people get full marks for coming from an angle that is completely different than the rest, but it comes up a bit short. I can understand that when your selling a product, your selling an image as well, and you want to develop an image which you think will appeal to as many people as possible. While i can see how this kind of advertising would appeal to kids, anybody over 18 would probably find it pretty cheesy. one the features of the mac daddy bag is -Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' Yeah! Did i read that right? Limp Bizkit wasn't cool 5 years ago, and that hasn’t changed since. Aside from that, I think the products all look great. I’ve only seen the dolomite in person, but the colors really look sharp and the grip on it is quality as well. I think the appearel looks good, but they kind went a little overboard. i don't think they will be selling many cowboy hats. If I were in charge of the marketing I would have came from an exclusive angle. Innovative sticks were scarce and highly coveted. If they didn't have that 'hard to get' image, I doubt they would have sold as many sticks as they did.

I see.

what factors are used in determining whats a good starting point for both pitch and radius?

when do you know that you need a longer radius and when do you know that you need a shorter radius? when do you know that you need your skates pitched forward and when do you know that you need them backwards?

7' radius is way too short for anybody.

Yeah it's a pro stock vector I bought a long time ago, but now it's finally getting some use cause i just broke my last stick. I've only shot around with it once, but I like the stick. It's a moran pro stock v115, its basicly a v110 shaft with some grip sprayed on and it has one of those koho wood/abs blades that are super stiff fused on. I'm currently trying to find another synergy grip(the gold one) to use once this stick dies, which will probably be pretty soon cause the blade is wood.

my stuff

helmet: bauer 5000 cage: jofa 480 shoulder: nike v-12 elbow: nike v-12 shin: nike v-12 pants: nike quest 1 gloves: tps hgt stick: mission m-2, tps ptc skates: vapor xx in conclusion: bnh 4 lyfe!

TPS Response+ Tkachuk, Regular Flex. Blade - As most of you already know TPS changed the Tkachuk Pattern in '04 to have a closer resembalence to Easton's Modano (or now Forsberg) pattern. I am very familiar with the Modano pattern and had no problem using this. The blade is also very stiff, most definatley stiffer than any other blade on the market in my mind right now. I like. It did start to give a little after 10 games or so, but it is still very stiff. The blade is also pretty active. Shaft/Flex - The shaft shape is flat on all sides unlike the XN10. The shaft also feels smaller in your hands than a Synergy, but bigger than a Vapor XX, I think it's about the same size as an M-1. I pefer an Easton 85 flex, but I had no problems whatso ever with the flex on this stick, I thought it felt a little stiffer than an 85 but definatley not 100 stiff. Stickhandling/Recieving passes - The blade felt pretty light, so I had no problems with stickhandling. Recieving passes was just fine. Shooting - I didn't notice any advantage shooting with this stick that my Synergy didn't already posess. That being said, I was not dissapointed in the performance at all. Weight and Balance - I believe the Response+ is marked at 455g. It had very nice balance and that made it feel ligher even though it might not have been. Durability - So far so good. It has taken some abuse in the 25 or so games I've played with it, but hasn't died out yet. I don't play super agressive with my stick, nor do I take many slap shots. The blade still feels stiff. Intangables - This stick has very nice performance at a pretty reasonable price. The stick doesn't look that bad either when all the paint chipps away, because of the dark color. Conclussion - I like this stick better than my Synergy. The handle fits my hand better, and the blade is also stiffer. The stick is also considerably cheaper than other manufactuer's similar sticks. The durability is top notch as well. 8/10

Mission Carbster Used with: Itech RBE I Half Shield & Jofa 480 Cage. Fit – Wide, Sizes run a little bit small. Cannot adjust helmet. (Large - 7½, X-Large - 7¾) Protection – This is the most protective helmet ever created. And because of this players who have a concussion history such as Alyn McCauley and Kenny Jonsson, choose this helmet over any other. Weight – Unknown, not a concern though. Durability – I’ve only had mine for a few months, but so far so good. No problems. Intangibles – Good airflow. Looks ugly. Takes a while to mount a cage or shield because of the embedded screw anchors. Conclusion – It's a great value at $40, and offers great protection too. If you can get over the look of it, you will love this helmet. 9/10