"Official" Vaughn thread.

[horacegrant31]

I have tried them

Catcher:
Epic~5500>Velo

Blocker:
Epic>Velo

[Keeps33]

ive had the 5500 and a velo, the 5500 is by far the best catcher ever! Ive also tried on the epic, pretty nice but still doesnt feel like the 5500.

[Goose Man]

The 5500 is just classic, while the Epic feels more akin to the God-awful Velo catchers. They're too big and frying pan-ish!

As for the blockers, I've owned 3 Velos, including my current custom one, and I think it's the best combination of lightweight, balance and solid protection without being too bulky. The Epic is definitely lighter, but it just doesn't seem as well-built. I'm very skeptical of the method used to make it a bindingless face. The Velo, while heavier, is just more solid to me.

[az]

The Epic catcher is NOT as bad as the velo.

The Epic's palm break placement and thumb angle is more naturally aligned with the hand than the velo.

However the Epic's double break in the palm is slightly uncomfortable and the stock t trap is too shallow.

The Epic is a decent, but not awe inspiring glove. However, compared to the utter TRASH that the rest of the catcher market now offers, the Epic stands out as a usable glove.

[Evoq]

Hey AZ, what are you reffering too by "trash"?

thanks

Originally Posted by az

The Epic catcher is NOT as bad as the velo.

The Epic's palm break placement and thumb angle is more naturally aligned with the hand than the velo.

However the Epic's double break in the palm is slightly uncomfortable and the stock t trap is too shallow.

The Epic is a decent, but not awe inspiring glove. However, compared to the utter TRASH that the rest of the catcher market now offers, the Epic stands out as a usable glove.

[Goose Man]

I don't know what he refers to as "trash," but I personally find the Xceed and Gatekeeper to be examples of abominable garbage that was just slapped together.

[az]

trash =

all Eagle glove models
all Brown glove models
all CCM glove models sans those based off the Heaton 10 design
all L-ville glove models sans the Bionic
all Bauer glove models
all Koho/Rebook glove models (the 590 is almost, but not quite, decent)
all Vaughn glove models sans Epic design
all McKenney glove models sans the Instinct design
all Itech glove models
all Brians glove models (the original Demon was a Hall of Fame stinker)

(I only consider pro model lines in my assessments.)

Most glove models now are just slapped together trash with some tacked on bells and whistles and some weave jenpro to impress customers. The only thought behind the design is "How do we increase the amount of space the glove takes up?" There is no thought given as to how the heck is someone who is not double jointed in the fingers going to PUT this glove on and be able to close the stupid thing.

Just because a catcher has fancy weave jenpro, all kinds of fancy straps and hooks all over the place and spreads your fingers out beyond what is anatomically possible with an enormous t trap does not mean it is a well-designed catcher.

I'm not trying to make others feel insecure about their catcher choices. However, IMO, the more that companies try to innovate their catcher designs with worthless additions and tweaks, the less functional catchers become.

[Lord of the Cage]

az,

You are the pickiest goalie I think I have ever had the pleasure of reading about.

I am just glad that my trapper is well received by myself and others that have had the pleasure of taking a gander at it.

Lord of the Cage

[beezer34]

Originally Posted by az

trash =

all Eagle glove models
all Brown glove models
all CCM glove models sans those based off the Heaton 10 design
all L-ville glove models sans the Bionic
all Bauer glove models
all Koho/Rebook glove models (the 590 is almost, but not quite, decent)
all Vaughn glove models sans Epic design
all McKenney glove models sans the Instinct design
all Itech glove models
all Brians glove models (the original Demon was a Hall of Fame stinker)

that just about sums up every hockey company "sans" smith, battram, and vortek. what glove do you use?

[Oddzilla51]

Az never used a Kay.

[az]

I have an Epic.

It took me a total of 6 years to find a glove to replace my beloved Vaughn T2000.

I wanted a glove that replicated the feel of the T2000 but with lighter materials and a better cuff/backhand cuff design.

I had a Battram (2000 model at the time). Good feel, but much too large and over built (heavy).

I had a Vortek vk2. I really LOVED this glove, but I had the glove made with one of those neoprene inner gloves similar the Vaughn bioflex concept. When my hand started to sweat heavily, I could not keep the neoprene from sliding right off my hand. I wanted Dave to build me another vk2 glove, but he was going through his massive reorganization at the time. When Dave reemerged, he was looking to avoid doing custom work or rebuilding older vk models. I had to move on.

I asked Pete Smith about his catchers. He was unwilling to make some adjustments to his design at the time (this was very early in his new career with his own company). He recommended to me that I look elsewhere. He was honest and polite with me, and while I don't really like his gear, I respect his professionalism and his innovative genius.

I had (still have) a custom Miller cm6. This is a very usable glove. I had it built so that it would be less than 2 lbs--it is the lightest catcher I have EVER worn or seen. However, the t trap is very poorly positioned and I don't like Paul's double velcro backhand cuff design. Plus, because I had the glove built so light, the durability and protection were beginning to fail. The glove still serves as my backup catcher.

I had a custom Eagle TT11 (a clone of the Vaughn T1000). A HORRIBLE glove. One of the worst gloves I have EVER seen. And Eagle's customer service to me was abyssmal. I started to write a review of my experience with Eagle, but it makes me so angry when I try to describe my opinions of this company that I cannot express myself properly in mere language. I avoid most threads here that deal with Eagle because I simply despise this company now.

From there I ended up with an Epic. I had it custom made with a sportmesh inner bioflex glove instead of the neoprene. The grip and feel is very decent with the sportmesh. (Thanks to the outstanding staff at Duke's who made sure my order was done correctly.) And the rest of my opinion is stated above.

---

BTW, the BEST glove I've worn since my T2000 was goaltendah's homemade Frankenglove. Even though it was made for the opposite hand than the one I catch with, I could tell immediately that the Frankenglove was The One. If goaltendah could ever get his life together to start producing and selling the Frankenglove, I'm sure he would develop a devoted customer base.

[az]

Originally Posted by Lord of the Cage

az,

You are the pickiest goalie I think I have ever had the pleasure of reading about.

I am just glad that my trapper is well received by myself and others that have had the pleasure of taking a gander at it.

Lord of the Cage

Actually, LOTC, a lot of the mods you do with your gear are things that I agree with completely. Being where you are with a lot of access to pro shops and gear reps, you have an easier time getting gear made to your liking. Since I live in West Virginia, I don't have the options and access you do (plus I'm a full right which makes shopping for catchers a NIGHTMARE). I usually am forced to order a catcher totally blind.

I am very picky, however, unlike most people who just mod their gear up just to have something special, I look for a very specific fit and feel with my gear. If I can't get that fit and feel, I don't want the gear. But once I find a piece that satisfies me, I will use that piece until it literally falls apart. Hockey is too important to me to play in gear that I don't like. And I hate shopping for new gear.

[SamJohnson]

Originally Posted by GlacierGoalie35

Buffay, why are you waiting 15 weeks. I was told 8 weeks on pads and 6 on the blocker. When i ordered i spoke to dennis and he said 8 weeks is the maximum for everyone. That totally sucks dude.

Thats what I got quoted but the wait time for me was extended to 12 weeks-> April 1st- June 28th

[Lord of the Cage]

az,

You and I are alike. We just want function and when certain bells and whistles are there to justify the price or to compete against "x" company they are useless.

You just need someone to listen to you and help you in the right direction. Someone in my position should beable to take info from a customer and properly fit them for their comfort in the right product. Also a trust has to be laid down by you with the person you are ordering with.

So in this instance, no straps on the backhand, no slings, one wrist cinch, and a natural break. Done and done!

Lord of the Cage

[Faint]

Originally Posted by az

trash =

all Eagle glove models
all Brown glove models
all CCM glove models sans those based off the Heaton 10 design
all L-ville glove models sans the Bionic
all Bauer glove models
all Koho/Rebook glove models (the 590 is almost, but not quite, decent)
all Vaughn glove models sans Epic design
all McKenney glove models sans the Instinct design
all Itech glove models
all Brians glove models (the original Demon was a Hall of Fame stinker)

(I only consider pro model lines in my assessments.)

Most glove models now are just slapped together trash with some tacked on bells and whistles and some weave jenpro to impress customers. The only thought behind the design is "How do we increase the amount of space the glove takes up?" There is no thought given as to how the heck is someone who is not double jointed in the fingers going to PUT this glove on and be able to close the stupid thing.

Just because a catcher has fancy weave jenpro, all kinds of fancy straps and hooks all over the place and spreads your fingers out beyond what is anatomically possible with an enormous t trap does not mean it is a well-designed catcher.

I'm not trying to make others feel insecure about their catcher choices. However, IMO, the more that companies try to innovate their catcher designs with worthless additions and tweaks, the less functional catchers become.

sans koho 580 break