"Official" Smith Thread

[evildink]

Originally Posted by admanimal

Well, most of what you are saying is true to an extent, and of course I was being sarcastic in the last post...but I think you are underestimating the influence that this board can have, especially when it comes to convincing people to buy the small brands that aren't (visibly) represented in the NHL.

I never would have bought anything from Smith or Battram if I didn't see this board. If I had even found either of their websites, I would have assumed it was some kind of crappy knockoff gear since no pros are (visibly) wearing it. I had no clue what Thomas was wearing (nor did I really care) until I found this board.

I think this board influences people to buy the big names too. People who otherwise would have been perfectly happy with their gear see others with better or just different stuff, and decide they need it too. Sure, we are influenced by what we see our favorite pros wearing, but what our peers have is probably an equal or greater influence. And I think as we get older, the balance of influence shifts towards our peers rather than the pros.

Think of all of the pics of new gear that get posted on this site, inevitably followed by the "wow those are awesome" posts. I guarantee that seeing that type of thing over and over again has a huuge influence on people, in most cases more than seeing the gear on a pro.

P.S., who paid to have their logos shown? Smith didn't if thats who you were talking about. Thomas never had logos on his Smiths.

Oh I know you were being sarcastic, it was more meant for the others who take things too serious and actually think that. By no means am I undervaluing this board. Hell I've been on here for years because I know how helpful it is. What it really comes down to though is influence vs age/maturity level. Most younger kids to mid 20's will buy gear cause of the pros. The more mature consumer will find out information about the gear and how it can help their game. Unfortunately I think influence takes more control of the consumer then practicality. As we've seen on this board hundreds of times (even with adults) they get too caught up in what's "cool" rather then what actually works for them. Plus most of the "whoah those are cool" comments are coming from pix of the pro's as well in the gear sitings thread. It goes back and forth. I agree with what you're saying, but I also know there's no way anyone would ever pay any of us, because we're going to sit here and talk about it regardless of if we're getting paid or not. As for the Smiths, I could have sworn I saw Smith's name on a set of Thomas's pads. Might have been a pic from camp or I might just be crazy. I thought he finally broke down and paid the licensing fee. I'm prolly mistaken though.

Originally Posted by bc30

He didn't pay the fee and his name doesn't (didn't ) appear on Thomas' pads - but like the Mage, the non-name was a non-issue, since everybody wanted to know what they were and were talking about them. Announcers don't talk about who's wearing RBK or Vaughn.

A few hundred beer leaguers on BB's saying how great they are didn't increase sales as much as one pro, who sort of validated the pad for a lot of people, did. There's a certain element that only believes it's a pro level product if pro's wear it.

Agreed 100% BC!

[admanimal]

Good points. I also notice that this thread started shortly after TT took over for the B's last season, so I'm guessing he was kind of what sparked the big interest in the first place (I wasn't on here back then), even though people on here have had Smith gear since before then.

[waycool]

i will order a set of pads from pete in a few days do you have any mods to sugest?

[Gregan]

If you have to ask, odds are you don't need any...

[cwarnar]

Originally Posted by Gregan

If you have to ask, odds are you don't need any...

And that's exactly what Pete will tell you, if you don't have an answer to why then he won't do it.

[waycool]

i got a lot of mods to do i just want new idea

[dufferin]

I have An ATK of 16 - 16.5 .. What size Smith pads would fit me?

[chakal]

Originally Posted by dufferin

I have An ATK of 16 - 16.5 .. What size Smith pads would fit me?

32 or 34 depending on the total lenght you want with the +size. But you don't have to ask for a specific size to Pete. Just give him your floor to knee and the total lenght you want.

I have a 20" floor to knee and I asked for a 36" total. So Pete did something between 32+4 and 34+2.

[cwarnar]

Originally Posted by dufferin

I have An ATK of 16 - 16.5 .. What size Smith pads would fit me?

I have the ATK, after using a set of 34" SP1000's, Pete and I decided to go 33"+2.5"

[admanimal]

Well my set of Smith gear arrived at my house today. Unfortunately, I am in Colorado until Wednesday...Figures!

[goalie4hire]

Ouch! Sorry to hear that admanimal. I guess since you're out of town you're excused from having to post pics right away

~Andy

[snova031]

Originally Posted by admanimal

Well my set of Smith gear arrived at my house today. Unfortunately, I am in Colorado until Wednesday...Figures!

That's no excuse as to not have pictures of said gear.

[Barren]

I thought Pete's gear was selling so good because I'm his official online gear pimp?

Getting back to psychosid's knee issue... from some pages back.. In over a year of using my 4000's, I've had just one puck sneak it's way behind my pads and into my legs/knee area with any force. Just one little stinger and I blame it all on poor positioning on my part. I had a bruise and some swelling... meh.. I'm a goalie, it comes with the territory.

[PSYCHO SID]

Barren,

I tend to agree with my lack of being square on that shot, but never the less, it could happen again. I extended the top of the "patent pending" pads up to the full three inches the other night, and no problems. I am still going to sew some material in that gap, copying the design of my X-hales from last year. I never had one to the knee with that set up. We'll see. Thanks for the info.

LET'S SEE THE NEW GEAR!!! CONGRATS!

[Jim]

Originally Posted by waycool

i got a lot of mods to do i just want new idea

I would just go 4000 with custom graphic
stock.. the specs of course are on his site.. the 4000 need no mods.. IMHO.

my only mod when i order will be color placement thats it..

post pics when they arrive.



Barren,
I think i am your vice Smith gear pimp.. so much so at one point i was asked to not make every thread i post in.. a Smith thread.. Priceless..