Show off your gear!

Hopefully the first thing that comes is a new mask. That one is a death trap.

Skates are nice!

Pads and gloves - custom Smith Rising Sun 6000s

Some of you from an earlier forum know my pads and gloves and some of you might have seen them at one time at GSBB but here goes...

I wanted to get some new stuff, since my old borrowed pads and gloves were back in Switzerland. I looked around, I heard great things about Pete Smith and his pads and wanted something that could be catered to what I wanted and not just an off-the-shelf pad. So we e-mailed back and forth and then I returned to Turkiye for my internship and the idea was put on hold for a while. Once it was certain that I would stay here, I placed my order for custom 6000s and never looked back. The original idea was 5000s, that's how much time passed between my initial decision to get Smiths and the actual order.

The design that started it all:


The final product:


You'll notice that the sun was changed so that only a quarter shows up on each pad, this way you get the rising sun both in the butterfly and in the stance.


sorry about the differences in picture sizes. the forum software will let me embed the butterfly image above this one but says that this file (same size only vertical orientation) is too large. go figure!

The reason that I chose to go with a rising sun theme, which you'll see often and hopefully soon again in my new paintjob, is because I've always had a fascination with Japanese culture. I have no relation at all to Japan but that's just how it goes.

I've gotten great feedback from people about the design, except for one person who commented 'any design that turns my crotch into a target is one I'd stay away from' or something of that sort. The way I see it, I'd rather the puck hit my crotch (or my wall when I butterfly) instead of the back of the net.


Mask - Promasque XDK (extra duty kevlar)



Ordered with the pro style cat-eye cage and the chin sling. Matt has 5 different molds that they have made of pro players and he chooses the most appropriate one depending on your measurements. I'm quite happy with it, a few dings here and there but nothing serious. Thinking of an awesome paintjob (perhaps this summer?) but its a bit detailed so I have to save up for it.

The XDK also comes with the pro air lining, which you can easily inflate/deflate to get the best fit even during the game.



Skates - Graf Ultra Goaler G50

I got a great deal on these 'blemished' G50s just when I was going to get something more in my price range. I got them baked but will do so again next chance I get. I got them baked together and by the time I was done lacing the first one the second had pretty much cooled so one by one next time.



C/A and pants- Itech RX9

WHOA those smiths are sick!!!!!!!! smith did a great job on those!

Here's the only picture I have of my gear, kinda.
sorry its a crappy pic, but I don't have a camera of my own.
btw I'd like to clarify, it was 6-0 before I went in.

This is my smith 6000 setup with a 993 C/A, Graf G50 skates and a hackva mask.

Efe, How do you like the smith kneepads? I personally do not like them one bit. I have taken a few shots off the knees with ill effects. I am switching to either the vaughns or the newest reeboks if they will fit.

Siorry picts are just small icons. But gear is as follows:

Mask - Pro Masque with my cut vinyl design (too poor to get a paint job just now. Colour scheme is to match my pads as best I could)
Pads - Vaughn V2 7000's
Stick - Custom RBK 6K pro return ( the colour scheme will be changing to red instead of blue to match my pads and mask )

Not shown yet:

c/a - RBK Pro Spec white silver blue
Skates - Bauer Vapour XXX
Jock - Vaughn V3
Blocker/Trapper - Itech Reflex 5, Silver black and white.

my full set up, new pads and skates

my new vaughn mask, not sure if i like how it feels yet but will mess with it. had the cats eye cage on it when i got it but got rid of that after a game, couldnt see good with it at all. the sweat bands are pretty uncomfortable so im thinking about swapping them with padding from my old mask.