Customization

[c0nquistad0rian]

I'm a guy who doesn't like a lot of straps on my pads. How does Vortek attach nylon straps and buckles to their pads? Can you easily remove/replace the straps? Or could I just request that they are built with fewer straps (one in the knee area, two in the calf area)?

I would also like to know what mods, if any, Vortek offers (other than colors and sizing). For example:
Would they do a bindingless blocker?
Would they put a lace protector around the edge of a catcher?
Would they be able to add a medial roll to a set of pads so that I could more easily attach slide plates?
Do they still offer the Smith sliding toe bridges on their pads?

If they don't currently offer mods, is this something that might do in the future?

I understand that some of their production/design team is changing and there is probably going to be an adjustment period. I am mainly asking because I haven't heard very much about Vortek mods, and I think that it might be something that people on the board would be interested in.

[MrMikeEMike]

As far as the straps are concerned, if you're handy with a sewing awl, you can replace / remove / move straps. The VK5's only have 2 straps in the calf area, as for the knee - both straps on the VK5 go through the knee flap, so I dunno how going to a single strap would work. The skate strap goes through the pad itself, so might be a little more of a pain to replace.

Mods I've seen are few and far between, so I don't know what they will do, but I can tell you that if it's something that they feel will take away from the performance / function of the pad, they won't do it. I'm sure Colonial will chime in here and answer, since he's the one who actually 'works for' Vortek.

MtA

[c0nquistad0rian]

Thanks for the response, Mike. I had previously PMed Colonial asking him if Vortek would do certain specific mods and he replied with something along the lines of "at this time, Vortek cannot complete the suggested mods."

And that basically left me wondering two things:

What, if any, mods would they do?

and

Are they planning on offering other/more mods in the future?

From what I've seen of the Vortek products and what I've heard of their customer service, they're obviously doing great things and I don't want to take anything away from that. But again, I think that many board members would be interested to know the answers to these questions.

[Mx42]

I've seen a catch glove without eyelets in the Vortek thread.

Everything else, I would probably talk to Glenn at the MFGing plant, his email is up on the website, or you can PM Marc for the phone number.

[MrMikeEMike]

Originally Posted by c0nquistad0rian

What, if any, mods would they do?

Might not be a bad idea, if Marc agrees, to start a running list of mods they have / will do. Would help answer a lot of questions upfront.

Are they planning on offering other/more mods in the future?

Only if you sign a contract saying you will use only one square of toilet paper per sitting for the rest of your life.

MtA

[c0nquistad0rian]

But I don't have a square to spare!

[bc30]

Vortek is going the RBK route as far as customization - no major design changes.

I believe they can/will adjust pad stiffness, and possibly adjust the tapering of the thigh rise and/or toe. As always, ask the manufacturer what they offer.

As for strapping, it is fairly minimal - the VK5 has one leather boot strap (simply threaded through the pad the same as boot straps have been for the past 50 years), two nylon calf straps, and two nylon knee straps. The buckles are held on with tri-glide clips, so you can pull them right off. If you want to remove a strap entirely, you will have to cut it off. If you leave a couple inches exposed (easily hidden behind the knee and/or calf wings), you could simply sew a new one onto the strap end if you decide to replace it.

As for gloves, I believe the only mod is a pro-palm on trappers (triple or not, I can't say), but again, Marc is the guy to ask.

[Colonial]

Guys this is a great topic, but I really cannot answer all the questions. I have to get Glenn involved.

He is the guy that has to do the mods. I can say we are not going to produce a Bindingless Blocker right now, and the Medial Roll is not a real option at this point.

All the other mods have to be bounced off Glenn.

gmiller@vortekhockey.net

Send him a note.

Marc

[glude01]

Originally Posted by Colonial

Guys this is a great topic, but I really cannot answer all the questions. I have to get Glenn involved.

He is the guy that has to do the mods. I can say we are not going to produce a Bindingless Blocker right now, and the Medial Roll is not a real option at this point.

All the other mods have to be bounced off Glenn.

gmiller@vortekhockey.net

Send him a note.

Marc

Funny this discussion came up as I had a good chat with Glenn today while on my territory in the middle of nowhere (Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada - for those with Google Earth).

First and foremost, Glenn is a super guy! I was impressed on a number of differerent fronts - his professional manner, his ability to listen/response to my requests, and his enthusiasm to give the customer what they want, something I thought was lacking when I spoke with Dave on my VK5 set early on. I was also very impressed with Glenn's almost "militant" attitude towards production schedules - he will be on time when he promises something to a customer, something I really thing will bode well for future customers.

My mod requests were simply around 2 things - 1) no eyelets on the palm/finger portion of the inside of the glove and 2) a nice deep pocket.

He responded by saying that I would get no eyelets since this what I requested. He was concerned that although he had put eyelets up around the thumb, but he would be willing to take the glove apart and take them out if this is what I wanted! I was impressed by this offer, but my only real concern was the eyelets around that palm/finger portion because on my VK5, a few of them had come loose from shots.

My request for a nice deep pocket didn't bother him either, although he did say that the depth is ultimately determined by the length of the T, in order for the glove to stay within the NHL SPEC. I fully understand this and thought his explaination was excellent.

This exchange with Glenn left me with a great feeling for Vortek as they seem to have a great front man for service/sales and an excellent customer focused gear developer! Again this cements in my mind why I will continue to support this company.

Thanks guys -

Craig

[shanks]

I am wondering about internal customizations on both the glove and the blocker for those of us with smaller hands. I used LOTC's VK5 and didn't really enjoy it that much because i found it a bit too large on my hand, despite the fact that it was a ProSpec. I'm wondering if its possible to move the break back towards the palm a little. If this is possible, i will seriously consider a set for my next batch of gear. Also, I assume its no big deal to put an intermediate palm in a pro sized blocker.

shanks.

[Mx42]

Originally Posted by shanks

I am wondering about internal customizations on both the glove and the blocker for those of us with smaller hands. I used LOTC's VK5 and didn't really enjoy it that much because i found it a bit too large on my hand, despite the fact that it was a ProSpec. I'm wondering if its possible to move the break back towards the palm a little. If this is possible, i will seriously consider a set for my next batch of gear. Also, I assume its no big deal to put an intermediate palm in a pro sized blocker.

shanks.

If you want to call Glenn, PM me as I have the phone number for the plant, he always picks up...or you can email him.

[dufferin]

Just for the people buying. Will you guys do VK5 graphics on the VK7 pad and vice-versa?

[Colonial]

Not at this point. When we modifiy the VK5 to Pro Spec, then maybe.

Marc

[hroark2112]

Originally Posted by dufferin

Just for the people buying. Will you guys do VK5 graphics on the VK7 pad and vice-versa?

Word on the street is that graphics don't stop pucks

[leaferguy]

Originally Posted by hroark2112

Word on the street is that graphics don't stop pucks

Just because you have a set of pads for each mood a human could possibly feel doesn't mean we all have that luxury