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Ogie Oglethorpe

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Everything posted by Ogie Oglethorpe

  1. Wouldn't you agree, though, that lace bite (in reality) is more of a problem caused by the wearer, not the skate? (because they choose to tie it too tight, denoting an improper fitting skate, or a person who's into pain) Of course, some skates WILL still offer betteer protection over others, but that wouldn't be something I'd base my choices on....
  2. Check out some epinion reviews at: http://www.epinions.com/CCM_Vector_Pro_Hoc...isplay_~reviews http://www.epinions.com/CCM_Pro_Tacks_Ice_...isplay_~reviews
  3. Interestingly enough, I have noticed that all tapered hosels are not the same (Easton woodie's run a bit larger, Mission smaller, etc). But, I would not have tried to cut it unless I had the test blade on hand (so as not to cut it up too high). Hopefully, you won't run into any issues.
  4. I have one of the Hesp. Roberts blades (thanks, RR), it is damned near identical to that of the old Inno Kariya. So, so close that I wouldn't be surprised if they are one and the same.
  5. That's fairly common, but I didn't want the weird tapered part in my handle, and I wanted the benefit of the taper as well as the kick point. SO, it was a little extra work (30 minutes) over that of just simply flipping it, but well worth it in my mind (especially if you would need to add a plug to make it longer - that'd be difficult if you have the tapered part in the hangle).
  6. Never mind... success.... I went with 2.5 inches from the E and worked my way up.... got to about 2 inches and voila! Able to hammer/screwdriver pound the rest of the tenon into the shaft (and out of the other empty end). Thanks, A_S12
  7. Wasn't there something like cut until the foam or center piece ends?
  8. Old subject, but not all Synnergies have the PATENT PENDING on it... I'm trying to remember where I cut the two of mine I did before.... may end up with the chisel method....
  9. Hey, he's probably too humble to tell you himself, so I'll invite you to check out Salming's US site: www.salmingusa.com (click the hockey link at the bottom of the page). Also, the corporate site is www.salminghockey.com Unfortunately niether have prices - but, good pics and some prod descrips.
  10. SalmingUSA addressed that here: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/index.php?sh...pic=10839&st=15 when he said: SALMING:
  11. Ogie Oglethorpe

    Bauer Vapor XX

    REVIEW: BAUER VAPOR XX PERSONAL STATS 6'1", 220lbs BACKGROUND: Hockey hack - play twice per week in an adult beer league. Have used this in 20+ games thus far (so, weight write up accordingly). OTHER (COMPOSITE) STICKS/SHAFTS I HAVE TRIED (just for a point of reference when considering the write up): Busch Carbone, Busch Balance, Synnergy Grip, Bauer XX, Louisville Response, Louisville XN10, CCM Vector 120c, Mission M1, Branches Fusion, Easton Stealth SHAFTS: Inno 1100, Inno Novius, Hespeller Kick-Lite, ZBubble, Easton Pro Axis Alum, Easton EFlex, Easton TFlex, CCM Catapult FLEX: : 102 WEIGHT: 445 grams (senior). CURVE: Gagne, P10 - This is a clone of Easton's Shanahan. For me, it represents the most versatile curve I could want. Long paddle, supposed toe curve (but it's closer to a toe-deep mid), open face all without sacrificing the shots off the back hand. Curves are subjective, and totally personal preference, but for me, this is tops. 9/10 WEIGHT/BALANCE: At 445, this is a pretty light stick - not the lightest available - but way light enough (I don't cater much to the lightness hype though). The nice thing about the stick is that it feels SOLID. Know what I mean?Doesn't feel tinnie (not to be confused with tiny) and doesn't feel like it will break in my hands when I use it. Great balance, but perhaps it doesn't seem blade heavy to me because I've added a plug in the end. I'm adjusting my score down a bit to reflect the market's preference towards ueber-light sticks, but for me, it's great 9/10 FEEL: I have not noted any odd vibration when shooting (like some claim in other sticks, such as the XN10 (but... then again, I didn't notice it in the XN10 either). Puck feel is good - not woodlike, mind you, but as more and more time goes by, I'm not even sure I can remember that big of a difference anymore (guess I'm just getting used to composite nuetrality despite my concrete hands). 8/10 BLADE: Stiff. Not quite as crow-bar like as the XN10, but it's stiff. Even after a lot of heavy usage, it has retained it's stiffness. However, I have noticed that it has started to chip here and there. Nothing that comprimises it's integrity, but it's noticeable. It's almost like the edges are too thin for something this stiff - little pieces of the weave chip off around the edges. BUT, it's not concering (unless you didn't tape it up right and were to hook someone across the arm or something - I'm guessing the recipient wouldn't like the serated edge very much). REGARDLESS, good blade. 9/10 SHAFT: Dual concave. It's supposed to have some scientific benefits (which I can't recall off the top of my head), but it's pretty nice. I've gotten used to the dual concavity shape, and found that it's actually kind of cool - it's like it's a little easier to grip/control in your hands. The flex is good, smooth, and even throughout the shaft. I do find it astheticly pleasing though. Not too busy. While it does have stickers, it's not Vector-like. The stickers are just the reflective XX logo, and is totally tolerable and bairly noticeable. I like it, but recall having an adjustment period (more about that in the MISC section), so am adjusting accordingly. 8.5/10 SHOOTING: I play defense, so I probably tend to take a lot more slap shots than a forward likely would. So, I find (distance) shooting to be important. There is only vague/slight torque twist of the blade in shooting, which is what one would want for slappers (I have heard conflicting preferences with wrist shots). For me, it makes it easier to point and shoot - thus getting results consistent with your directional expectations. (That being said, I still can't hit the broad side of a barn, but that has NOTHING to do with the stick ;)) 9/10 DURABILITY: So far, not a single hint at durability being an issue. A few chips out of the blade, but I recall a few games in particular where the stick too more abuse than typical (including being skated over - twice) and no issues. No additional fatigue that I've been able to notice (neither in the shaft, nor the blade) 9/10 MISC: I got a good deal on Ebay for this stick. No real compaints. It did take a while to get used to it. I was using a Vector 120 and XN10 before this (and very briefly a Stealth), and I kept WANTING to like it, but couldn't get past warm ups with it. Then, suddenly, one pre-game it started clicking for me (I'd gradually been warming to it up to that point), and I've been using it ever since. The fuse point is obvious (they don't tinker with it like a Synnergy by laying a stiffener over the joint - which is bad). Looks like they have some sort of composite "spackle" over the fuse joint, which might be why a lot of people have said it's come lose on them or that they can just heat and pull the blade out. This is good if you break the blade and want to re-use the shaft, but not sure it's good to help concentrate shots into a seemless kick point or not. Now, I don't have any super heightened senses, so can't tell, but wouldn't disbelieve someone if they told me they noticed. 8/10 GRIP COATING: n/a CONCLUSION: It took a while for me to buy into this stick. But once I did, I became a fan. I still think my XN10 is a better shooting stick (slapshot wise), but the XX has my favorite curve and the stick is overall more versatile. I've tried my best not to give 10's across the board just because I like it (read many of the write ups, and it seems a 10 score comes quite cheaply), so take that into account when reading this. If you can get it at the right price, I totally recommend it. I look forward to trying the new XX with stick-um sometime in the future. 8.7/10 - O.O. UPDATE 06/19/05 The blade finally broke last night. It was sort of weird. I could tell something was funny in warm ups as the blade seemed to be flexing sort of funny and my shots were a bit more errant than usual (which is a significant statement in and of itself). So, flexed the blade in my hand and it broke in half (didn't put much effort into it either - just snapped). So, overall, I probably got about 25-30 games (roughly 2 to 3 months) of use out of the blade. Back in the day (when I was younger, stronger, and able to be harder on my sticks) this would have been a long time. I guess even now that's still pretty reasonable length though. The shaft, however, is still good and solid, so will see a second tour of duty with a new blade. AND SPEAKING OF WHICH...... removing the blade was INCREDIBLY easy. I don'ty know if this is a good, or a bad thing. Essentially, Bauer just puts some composite goop over the fuse point. I stuck the blade in a vice, heated liberally around the fuse point/goop, and the blade came out (it took a lot of elbow grease, but compared to converting a synnergy to a shaft, it's a piece of cake - no cutting or guess work what-so-ever). NOW, I don't know if this is a good thing or not. I'm having a hard time making up my mind on that. On the one hand, makes the stick more serviceable long term (break the blade, and replace it). BUT... on the other hand, doesn't it mean the Synnergy has something on the Vapor (in regards to OPS) as they weld a stiffener piece of graphite over the fuse point (to both strengthen the fuse as well as lower the kick point)? Not sure.
  12. That sort of looks like the McCarty http://www.modsquadhockey.com/index.php?showtopic=9862 perhaps just not as obese. I always thought Roberts was supposed to be more of a toe curve though.
  13. http://www.modsquadhockey.com/index.php?sh...=9474&hl=recchi http://www.modsquadhockey.com/index.php?sh...=7786&hl=recchi
  14. I like the new tacks a lot more than the silver, purple and copper colored skates they've been putting out for the last few years. If you want flash, go with the Vector. I agree..... although, I have a pair of said silver/purple/copper flecked skates (ala the 1152) and think it looks like a bad plaid car seat pattern from a 1972 Volkswagon Beetle......
  15. Ogie Oglethorpe

    TPS XN10

    REVIEW: LOUISVILLE XN10 (early pro series/prototype) PERSONAL STATS 6'1", 228lbs BACKGROUND: Hockey hack - play twice per week in an adult beer league. Have used this in 12+ games thus far (so, weight write up accordingly). OTHER (COMPOSITE) STICKS/SHAFTS I HAVE TRIED (just for a point of reference when considering the write up): Busch Carbone, Busch Balance, Synnergy Grip, Bauer XX, Louisville Response, CCM Vector 120c, Mission M1, Branches Fusion, SHAFTS: Inno 1100, Inno Novius, Hespeller Kick-Lite, ZBubble, Easton Pro Axis Alum, Easton EFlex, Easton TFlex, CCM Catapult FLEX: : This is a pro stick, so the flex is not marked. I'd list it at a little over 100 - will give it a seat of the pants rating of 105 for sake or argument. CURVE: Adams pro curve - This is a mid curve with no loft. Also, it reminds me a bit of Sher-wood's Leclaire, as the curve "break" is more angular & sharp than traditional curves, which tend build gradually. There is no pronounced toe-lip (I'd prefer it if it did), which makes it hard to scoop the puck with a simple wrist-twist. However, one man's ceiling is another man's floor - back hands on this are are pretty nice.6/10 WEIGHT: (retail) 395 grams (senior). Since this is a pro stick, could be different (especially due to the longer shaft). TAPER: I can’t find anything definitive on what the taper length is, but believe it to be 11 inch taper based on their add for the new Adrenaline stick. WEIGHT/BALANCE: Perhaps it’s just advertising hype affecting the senses, but it does feel noticeably lighter than the first wave of 460 gram OPS. But, as I’ve said before - I'm not a big believer that lighter is better. I consider anything lighter than 550 grams light (you know the difference between a 550 gram Busch and a 450 gram Synnergy? 1/3 of a 12 ounce soda which translates to just 2 shots of tequila). Slight hint of being blade heavy, but nothing I would have noticed if I weren’t looking for it. This mere hint (which may be worked out on later full production models) is the only thing keeping this from a score of 9 8.5/10 FEEL: Perhaps I’m just starting to get used to the composite sticks, however, puck feel is reasonable. It’s not going to make you think you’re using a wood stick or something, but you get a good idea of where the puck is, and it doesn’t seem to trampoline off the blade when trying to catch a puck. So, no puck bounce noted (so good pass reception), and no excessively numb feel. There is still some room for improvement, on the pre-mentioned areas, but nothing to get worked up over. Also, some other posters have talked about vibration issues, so perhaps I don’t have their heightened sense of touch, as I have no odd vibration noted. 8/10 BLADE: This is about as stiff as concrete. I can’t discern any bend/give at all. It’s rock solid – and that’s a good thing. If I could give it an 11 out of 10, I would – it’s that remarkable. 10/10 SHOOTING: I play defense, so I probably tend to take a lot more slap shots than a forward might. So, I find (distance) shooting to be important. There is no torque twist of the blade in shooting like some of the early OPS had (this is good). Makes it easier to point and get results consistent with your expectations of where the puck is going. Great thing about the stick is that you can get good pop off of a small 12inch wind up (snap shots). On a full wind up slapper you can really get excellent, consistently hard shots off. So… good puck speed for shots. 9.5/10 DURABILITY: So far, not a single hint at durability being an issue. Neither the blade nor shaft have even hinted at fatigue noticed yet (still early, of course). No noticeable chips or chunks missing, and not a single crack. 9/10 MISC: I bought this as a pro return. This is what appears to be the first round of XN10’s. The paint is a flat matte paint (no gloss, what-so-ever) with an unreleased logo. It’s just orange, white, and black. But, you know what? I like it. The paint seems to hold up well and the stick isn’t cluttered with self-pimping advertising glitz. Also, I like the extra long length of the shaft (of course, this might just be because it’s a pro release). I will scale my score down to reflect what I expect most would like, but I’m a fan of the matte finish. 7/10 It should be noted, that the retail release is glossy with more color and glitz. I have one of these, but have not used it yet, so will not comment on it further. GRIP COATING: n/a CONCLUSION: This was one of the more hyped stick of the past season. I had fully anticipated being let down. However, it’s actually quite worthy of the praise. I think it’s fair to call this a “shooter’s†stick, as that seems to be it’s best performance attribute. Since it’s still early, I will give this a 9/10 for now, but reserve the right to bump it up (or possibly down) later after more use. - O.O. UPDATE OK, I've been using this stick pretty much exclusively (aside from 6 games with a Stealth). The shaft is incredibly durable. No chips or cracks out of it. Still a fantastic shooters stick. HOWEVER, the blade? Well, it was once crowbar like stiff. Now? Merely mortal. It can totally flex in my hands now, and despite the graphite weave in the blade showing no signs of cracking or unraveling, it makes that sound now when you bend it in your hand (sounds more like what I would likely think is the foam breaking down inside - and there appears to be no inner/cross beam within the blade). There are certainly other OPS whose blades are just as pliable (even when new), but the difference (from when it was new) is dramatic. Bear in mind, this is just after 2 to 3 months after use (2 to 3 times per week) and I am not shooting as hard as I used to (now that I'm old and fat). Someone who's in shape and in their mid to late 20's would likely turn this blade into a limp noodle within the same time (just a guess). HOWEVER, that being said? I'm not let down. The blade is, as I mentioned, still as pliable as 70% (guess) of the OPS out there, but it is looking more and more like it will soon be Christian Fiber Sock like (damn, those things would bend under a penny) within another few months. Once the blade goes to hell, the shaft will be recycled. It is important to note, that the one I've been using looks like it is likely one of the early prototypes. I also have one of the newer ones, so don't know if the blade will stay rigid longer on it. Still a great stick. I'm not sorry that I bought it at all. In fact, even with the softening blade, I still prefer it over my Stealth (personal preference).
  16. REVIEW: CCM VECTOR V120c **UPDATED AFTER 2 MORE MONTHS OF USE** PERSONAL STATS 6'1", 220lbs BACKGROUND: All around hockey hack. Fat, balding, only shape I can claim to be is round. Play twice per week in an adult beer league. Have used this in 6 games thus far (so, weight write up accordingly) OTHER (COMPOSITE) STICKS/SHAFTS I HAVE TRIED (just for a point of reference when considering the write up): Busch Carbone, Busch Balance, Synnergy Grip, Bauer XX, Louisville Response, Branches Fusion, SHAFTS: Inno 1100, Inno Novius, Hespeller Kick-Lite, ZBubble, Easton Pro Axis Alum, Easton EFlex, Easton TFlex, CCM Catapult FLEX: : Regular (believe it equates to a Easton 100) CURVE: Recchi - overall versatile, conservative curve: it's a mid, slightly open face. I wish CCM would offer something more in line with a Easton Shanahan or Bauer Gagne though as I like a larger sweet spot and prefer the toe curve so I can quickly twist the wrist and give some good pop flies to clear the zone. Still, it's hard to complain with the curve (but I will note that CCM doesn't seem to offer a wide, distinct variety). 7/10 2 months later, the curve has grown on me even more. Upgrade score to 7.5. It's just hard to complain about the Recchi curve as it seems to have "something for everyone." However, CCM is still a loser on variety of distinct curves. This keeps me from giving it a higher score. WEIGHT: 460 grams (senior) TAPER: 18 inch taper WEIGHT/BALANCE: First off, I'm not a big believer that lighter is better. I consider anything lighter than 550 grams light (you know the difference between a 550 gram Busch and a 450 gram Synnergy? 1/3 of a 12 ounce soda). I don't find it to be too blade side heavy. Pretty good overall. 8/10 FEEL: The one thing I liked about all the Busch sticks that I had was it's wood-like puck feel. The early Synnergy version I had was the opposite. I thought the feel on the Synnergy was numb (kept having to look down to see where the puck was on the stick), and by the time it "registered" that you had recieved the puck it'd already bounced an inch or two off the blade (sort of a trampoline effect). The Vector is somewhere inbetween the two (closer to the Busch than the Synnergy). BUT, then again, it could just be that I have gotten more used to the composite blade feel (requires soft hands - which in no way I have - but eventually you adjust accordingly). Regardless, no puck bounce noted (so good pass reception), no numb feel, no odd vibration noted. 8/10 SHOOTING: I play defense, so like to t-up when I can (I can't hit the broad side of a barn, and my wind up can be measured with a sun dial, but there you have it). Regardless, I need every edge I can get. The one thing I like about the Vector over some other sticks that I have tried (wood, shafts with various blades, etc) is that the puck goes where I attempt to point it - there's no weird blade rotation that causes the puck to go somewhere other than where I was pointing (so wide shots are user error in this case). Anyone who has tried a Branches Fusion knows what I'm talking about here (the Branches stick blade flexes too much and causes the blade to torque in funny angle, making the sweet spot small and causes havok for pointing a shot). Regardless, no weird torque/twist noted. No fatique noticed yet (again, early), good puck speed off shots. 9/10 Update..... 2 months later, no fatigue DURABILITY: Remains to be seen (again, only have used it in a few warm ups and 6 actual games). The V110's were know for their durability. I play in a hack league, and have not noted any structural damage yet - absolutely no chipping or cracking what-so-ever. Blade has held up well - not a single chip. Stick still feels solid. (again, note that this is only after 6 games - so weight this accordingly) 8/10 Update..... 2 months later, no noticeable damage of significance MISC: Cheap finish/paint. Some of which covers the stickers. SPEAKING OF STICKERS, what's up with stickers on a hockey stick? Am I still in the third grade when I thought stickers were cool? I mean, you dish out $150 average retail for one of these puppies and they have stickers? What's also bad about the stickers is that there are air bubbles in several places under them, or they wrinkle up, or chip up with hacking. ALSO, they cover the "grip" coating they put on the stick. Stickers are cheesey and have no business being put on a stick this costly. ONE THING WORTH NOTING: I think more OPS this is all composite - no wood plug in the end. This is much better for tall users in my mind - no need to buy a 6 inch extention or what not. Average stick seems designed for a 5'10 inch person (take the wood plug out and a 5'7 user). Much better to have it all composite. Let shorter people cut it down (easier than buying a plug) and what taller person doesn't have a 3 inch plug from other normal shafts lying around? Reduces trips to your LHS anyway... Regardless, stickers and paint finish bring the misc factor a poor score 4/10 Update..... 2 months later, stickers are all chewed up and stick looks a lot older than it is. Of course, I'm not big on looks, or I wouldn't have bought a orage, blue, and silver stick in the first place. GRIP COATING: The grip is a weird hybrid - somewhere between a Louisville Rubber (shaft, not Ops) and a Synnergy Grip. Best way to describe it? Feels like it's coated with rubber cement. Hint of being spongy, yet it's firm at the same time. Once you get it "game wet" (or perhaps it has something to do with the way leather grips it) it's delightfully tacky/grippy. It's not sticky, but you won't loose your hold on it like you might with something overly glossy. Down side comes back to the stickers - they cover up a great deal of the surface and I suspect grip would be better without the cheap stickers (did I mention the cheap stickers? It needs more emphasis). 7/10 Update..... 2 months later, grip has held up well CONCLUSION: It might be a bit early to give anything conclusive (but let's face it, wait too long and you will no longer have the desire to write about it, right?), but I have found it to be a dependable, good performing, reasonable/tolerable puck feel OPS. Big thing for me with ANY stick is durability (which this supposedly has, and I haven't noted anything to let me believe that is not true), puck feel (which is better than the normal synnergy, in my opinion), and performance (better than wood, better than a old Tri-Flex, etc). It's a good stick over all. Above average. But, exceptional?, no, not sure I'd label it as exceptional yet. However, my expectations are typically low and I'm an easy guy to please. Thus far, I am not unhappy with the stick. I will consider it a good purchase if the blade holds up well (I have a buddy with a replacement blade like the one on this stick, and he beats the hell out of it, and it has stood the test of time), it doesn't fatique, it doesn't break too early. What I do fear is that it looks like crap after the stickers get hacked up (ok, obviously I don't care TOO much on looks - otherwise I would by a orange and blue stick) but more to the point I don't think I'd like the weird feel in your palms with all the bumps, cuts, exposed adhesive, etc. after the stickers are all peeling. I can't express how disappointed I am with the stickers, and for some reason, that is what prevents me from REALLY loving the stick - know what I mean? So close, and yet...... I will give this a debatable 8/10, but note that thus far I am happy with it and have not had any problems. If I had it to do over again, however, I probably would have chosed the V120T (which is the traditional rectangular shaped shaft - I just perfer the way it feels in my hands). Update..... 2 months later, up grade the score to 8.5/10 - it's held up quite well, is reliable, predictable, etc. As mentioned earlier, the cheap finish/stickers to the stick have prevented me from really loving the stick, though. I've gotten used to it in principle, but..... still something off about spending this kind of $$ on something gratuitously covered with stickers..... :-( - O.O.
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