CaptainCharisma

Tried these on for the first time on Saturday. Fit is superb. Adjusting to the pitch wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (though I'm at +2 instead of the stock +3 as I had changed the runners to step steel). Won't be going back to the Super Tacks. Tight turns with the makos just felt so much smoother for me compared to the super tacks. I'm guessing that the super tacks was simply too stiff of a boot for me.

I prefer slightly dampened blades. I find they are better for catching hard passes where for stiff blades you need cradle the puck as it comes in to prevent it from bouncing/trampolining off. I also like the feel of the dampened blades for heavier loaded shots. One of the pros for stiff blades is that you can feel exactly where the puck is on the blade (heel/toe) as you're stickhandling. And love the pop they get for quick release shots. CCM super tacks and Bauer Vapor are the stiffest blades I've ever tried. Bauer supreme is the most dampened blade on the market I believe.

Snagged a pair of brand new Mako II on sidelineswap. Been looking for 6.5Ds for a couple years now and I couldn't believe my eyes when a listing for a brand new pair popped up. Looking forward to joining the Mako family.

Beer League Bum provides some worthwhile insight into both the PX and AS4 Pro in his stick reviews. I believe the PX has a dampened blade feel whereas the AS4 Pro is much more livelier and that will probably be the first thing you will notice. Here's some links to his reviews for the two sticks: True Catalyst PX CCM Super Tacks AS4 Pro

I think Bauer's Vapor line has more of a L-shaped eyelet pattern, while their Supreme line is more of the slopped eyelet pattern. Does anyone know the pros/cons of each?

As mentioned above, I'm not sure if the 2 vs 3 pc will make much of a difference in terms of keeping the elbow in place. It would come down to the straps and locking mechanism and each person's individual elbow shape. I imagine the sleeve wrap system that the Alpha LX Pro offers would be a lot more secure for most people's elbows compared to one without the sleeve. STX surgeon elbow pads also offer a sleeve wrap system.

Looking at trying some of these XC Blades out. Have you heard any feedback from customers?

I imagine it has something to do with the Bauer's patent preventing Tydan from making runners for the Tuuk holder similar to what happened with Step. Notice how Tydan runners are still available for CCM's XS holders. Couple other aftermarket steel options available for Tuuk holders: Byonic RamonEdge Bladetech Flare XCBlade Blackedge Massive Blade

I rock em on my Super Tacks.

I think the 100ks have the new asymmetrical toe box which is why you probably feel less volume compared to the 80ks or the tacks.

That's just the nature of any stick really. It's probably more noticeable in the stiffer blades like Vapor and Tacks I would imagine.

Don't forget about Byonic, RamonEdge, XCBlade and Blackedge

I saw this graphic which shows the areas of stiffness for each of CCM's current skate lines. Is this a fairly accurate depiction of the areas of stiffness for the Ribcor 100ks from what you've experienced?

That's high praise. Looking forward to trying out a pair.

Some of Easton's tech has already made it's way into Bauer's protective line. The hyperlite foam on Easton's stealth cx protective line and pants was implemented on all of the Vapor 2x pro protective line and pants and it was also used in the gloves. The MDP foam system on Easton's synergy gx shoulder pads was implemented on all of the Nexus 2N protective line.

Both CCM Ribcore and Bauer Vapors are low kick sticks. The Ribcore has a more dampened blade compared to the Vapor, and it will probably be easier receiving hard passes on a Ribcore.

Looks like Bauer kept the same Hyperlite font/logo design as when it was used on the old Easton stealth CX sticks/pads.

National Sports in Canada has the limited leather edition BPM 120 gloves for $40 CDN. Unfortunately they only ship to Canada at this time. They only made 100 of each color, and the inside of the cuff has the # /100. Also only in 14" sadly, but pretty neat vintage look. https://www.nationalsports.com/collections/senior-hockey-gloves/products/sherwood-bpm-120-sr-hockey-gloves-14-inch-black-red-white https://www.nationalsports.com/collections/senior-hockey-gloves/products/sherwood-bpm-120-sr-hockey-gloves-14-inch-navy-red-white

Any takeaways from the experiments? I imagine this type of blade would enhance cornering and tight turns simply due to the curvature of the blade edge. Seems like it would negatively affect speed/glide though?

Has anyone heard of / tried out the XCBlade runner? https://shop.xcblade.com/en/about Looks like the blade flares out in the front and back ends of the runner (like the Flare Skate blade runner), but remains thinner like a traditional blade in the center. Interesting technology, but it seems like a drastic change and might put your skating mechanics all out of whack. Also might be a bit complicated on the sharpening/profiling end of things.

Looks like Matthew Tkachuk has switched over to the Sher-wood Code V? As well as some Sher-wood gloves (Code V?) with some shot-blockers? Still hating the graphics on the stick.

Noticed a brand new size 6D mako ii on eBay for anyone interested. https://www.ebay.com/itm/324435179553 Edit: Sold

Noticed a pair of new 9.5 D Mako II skates on sidelineswap if anyone is interested. https://sidelineswap.com/gear/hockey/skates/player-skates/2812965-easton-mako-skates-size-9-5 EDIT: SOLD

I do. 🙂

Looks like they changed the toe cap finally. Unfortunately not great angle to see how it looks. But yeah, the visual aesthetics are absolutely hideous.