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Traditional Thursday: Super Post

Welcome to an epic #TraditionalThursday post! This one is chock full of info, photos, tips, questions, and more. Buckle up the old leather seatbelt, tighten your sidewalls, and get that spool of cross lace ready!

Looking For Wood

I’ve been searching for more wooden traditional lacrosse sticks, and so far I’ve had some luck! Mat Levine of CityLax hooked me up with a stick (and a couple to fix up for the CityLax office), and Kacy Small sent me an old women’s stick, which is also very cool. My collection is growing. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to collect, now that I really think about it. Am I becoming a hoarder? See above and decide for yourself.

Too-Thick-Leather Tip

If you use super thick leathers, like the ones that MinLax makes, it can be a struggle to get them through the bottom holes on many, if not most, modern sticks. I tend to tie down the leathers around the throat, and once the pocket is formed, it works out. Billy Nguyen and Greg Rose have been working on another answer though, and here I try my hand at what they are doing. It’s like a tear drop bottom string:

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Each leather gets a separate loop around it, and this helps keep them in line. Then I tie the leathers off in the front of the throat to keep them tight. Too-thick-leather problem solved!

I’m a big fan of this little detailing on the MinLax leathers:

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Billy Bitter Gets a Pita!

You get a Pita, and YOU get a Pita, and YOU get a Pita! Sometimes I feel like Oprah… but I like it.

billy_bitter_traditional_pita

LXM Pro Maverik United colors? check and check.

StylinStrings – AdjustinLeathers

https://youtu.be/4HkLa985Iwc

DroppinKnowledge!

Reader Submissions

Nick R:

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Kyle C:

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Reader Questions

From SB:

Traditionally speaking, I’m a low pocket kinda fellow. I’ve strung several (but not many) straight pita pockets and all have come out with pockets that are on the high side. My observations have concluded that the strings connecting the outside leathers to the inside, function sort of like the bottom string on a mesh pocket. In other words, the tighter the strings, the less whip on the stick. Nevertheless, I can’t seem to avoid a high-pocket type of effect.
First off, thoughts on that? Second, what are your thoughts on this idea: use different strings for the top interlocks than the lower? I theorize that this would allow a person to more selectively distribute the tension of the pocket towards a lower hold and lower whip. I have leathers and string but don’t have access to an abundance of heads. I’m curious about your thoughts and wondering if you could give this a rip.

Hey SB, great question! If I want a low pocket, I will put the ball in where I want it to sit, and then I will tighten the strings so that the pocket naturally sits very low. As it breaks in, the pocket may move up a bit, but should not become a high pocket. After you play wall ball with it when it’s new, put a ball in the pocket, in the low position, and make sure your tension is still the way you want it!

In terms of different strings or knots up top, I like the concept. You can use double locks, like in a Throne Pocket or Rock-it-Pocket, to lock down the diamonds more. It should definitely work if you make the knots tense!