"Official" PAW Thread!

[jgrassi]

This is a gift to myself. I retired my 1988 Miller GLP-1100 pads in March '06, after purchasing used Smith SP-1000 pads on Ebay. Recently, I guess I've been feeling nostalgic, because I've wanted to bring the Millers out again. Problem was, they don't have the knee support that I love and need, like the Smiths. Enter our own Sara Marschand (Beccaraptor). She's getting a lot of love here on the GSBB, so I decided to have her recreate the Smith knee setup and sliding toe bridge on my Millers. After lots of e-mails back and forth, we came up with a plan - much larger, Jenpro-covered knee wings (originals were small half-moons), along with Smith-style knee blocks, knee locks, and sliding toe bridges.

'06 Pad Retirement pic:



Here's the pictures of her work that she sent today :









I'm guessing that I should get them some time next week. I can't wait!

I'll post some of my own pictures when they arrive. If you have any questions about the work, feel free to PM me.

[#20]

those are so funny looking haha good luck with them

[ThePM]

That is incredibly cool. Did you consider any other work such as re stuffing them with newer material?

[jgrassi]

Originally Posted by #20

those are so funny looking haha good luck with them

Funny looking? Odd, they look like conventional leg pads to me, but thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by ThePM

That is incredibly cool. Did you consider any other work such as re stuffing them with newer material?

In the past, I've considered restuffing them with shredded foam, but the labor cost would be too high. They aren't too much heavier than my Smiths, so it's OK. For me, the main concern was the knees, and the pictures speak for themselves!

[kicksave27]

Holly crap those look comfy.

[jgrassi]

Originally Posted by kicksave27

Holly crap those look comfy.

They are VERY comfy, and still protective. I've taken big-time blasts in these guys, and all I felt was a dull thud. They're all Cordura, and have worn like iron. What's great about them is how flexible they are - you can practically twist these guys like corkscrew! They just needed help in the knees. My Smiths have great knee support, and at 50, I really need it to continue, so I had Sara duplicate it in the Millers.

[kicksave27]

I use 580s now, but i grew up with oldschool pads. brians, cooper 5s. But my favorites where aeroflex/barrasso style pads. If only pete smith still made those, they were super comfy/lite and due to the depth of the leg channel sealed to the ice well and quickly.

[Keeps33]

I had Sara make me a chest plate for my Brown 552. I get stingers in the sternum and i was gettin a case of the "close my eyes and pray" feeling every time someone wound up in close! Well i gave her the measurements i felt would work and she whipped it up and shipped it off to me real quick! Couldnt be happier, great work too! Price was very reasonable too!! Thanks Sara! cant wait to play now!
Heres a quick pic she snapped with it sitting on top of her stock Brown chest plate, mines the small black one.
.
Heres how it looks on my FrankenBrown -crappy cam phone pic.

[ScJeff]

For anyone who was looking into PAW pads, my review now has a few new pics with wear updates.

Also her site has a few new pics of new pads/blockers made=)

[GreelyGoalie30]

Wow, didn't know there was an official PAW thread. Now I have a place to rave about Sara's awesome work. I sent her measurements for sliding toe bridges for my Rbks, and she built me the bridges exactly to my specifications, in exactly the color I asked, in only a couple days. When they arrived, I inspected them all over, and the quality was far superior to any stock toe bridges I've ever seen. These things are incredible. If anybody is thinking of going with her, I can confidently say you won't regret it. The quality is second to none. Thanks again Sara!

[jacksonh]

Haven't received them yet, but Sara sent me a picture of my new shell yesterday. Totally stoked for this to show up.

Obviously I can't say anything about the quality yet, but I can say that dealing with Sara has been awesome and these were made quickly and more cheaply than I expected.

[connors83]

Originally Posted by jacksonh

Haven't received them yet, but Sara sent me a picture of my new shell yesterday. Totally stoked for this to show up.

Obviously I can't say anything about the quality yet, but I can say that dealing with Sara has been awesome and these were made quickly and more cheaply than I expected.

How much did Sara charge for these?

[doogie24]

OK so its Official, Sara is a miracle worker.

Here's the before and after of my 5500 gloves.



I was going to buy new gloves... PAW to the rescue!

I asked for "most" of the black and silver to be removed, she got rid of ALL of it. Also note the custom "old school" vaughn lettering... I asked for it thinking that it probably couldnt be done, but she came through.

Thanks again Sara

[wpgmax]

Those vaughan gloves are sweet. Sara has done a few things for me this past year and recently built me new knee locks and landing gear for my Miller CMX's. The Miller knee area was very small and I frequently fell off even with the knee knock tight. Sara made methe new pieces and sent them out complete with nylon thread to use when sewing them in. Outstanding service and quality. The job she did lowering the glove and rebuilding my blocker side board was phenomenal! IF it wasn't for Sara I would have sold my Miller's and bought new gear. Thanks for saving me a ton of money and from the cold stare i'd get from the wife if I bought anything new!

[rwb]

I sent Sara my Brown gloves.. Elite series. I have her making them look like Beezers Flyers Glove he wore. She told me she started on them so I am waiting to hear back. I am pumped up about how they are going to come out. I will post pics of before and after... Sara is great to deal with and takes the time with you to make sure she understands what your looking for... -----ROB