#TheGopherProject: June Monthly Mailbag

It’s June, time for another mailbag on #TheGopherProject.  This time, we’ll break these questions into four sections (Stringing, Heads, Stringing, and Summer!).  

#TheGopherProject: Stringing

1. Favorite stringer?  You only get to pick one! Man, I am going to start including names with these.  How about I’ll pick one of my favorites and a few reasons why? Andrew Terrance aka free_handed on Instagram.  One, he’s a phenomenal stringer and quick to give advice or suggestions. Two, he’s one of the few people that I’ve seen go toe to toe with Alf on stringing theory and get the nod of approval from Alf….
2. Does number of shooters or type make that much of a difference?  All depends on your preferred release. More shooters creates a smoother release.  Fewer shooters will cause the ball to pop off that last shooter. The important part is that the progression of shooters (top one the tightest and bottom the loosest) is done properly.  Unsure what you like? Try a teammates stick or tweak your own shooters to test.
3. In your opinion, what makes one mesh different from another?  Honestly, each company has some technique or advancement that makes them different from others.  My biggest requirements are ease of stringing and consistency. I want something that I can string or quickly adjust to the head/pattern.  I also want it to perform the same for the life of the head (after break in). While some adjustments are needed from time to time, I don’t want to have completely redo the pocket because of mesh bagging out to badly.
4. Why the rope cutter vs normal scissor and a lighter?  Rope Cutter every day! Even if you’re not stringing a large number of heads, the cutter burns the strings cleanly and evenly in one pass.
5. Normal sidewall or paracord?  Typically, I prefer sidewall unless you can find paracord that is the same thickness.  I dislike using larger paracord since I think it’s bulky and doesn’t last as long. The upside on the paracord is the larger color spectrum though.  

#TheGopherProject: Heads

1. What’s your favorite unpopular head?  I could easily say the STX Profile since it wasn’t as popular as the other heads released at the time (and an all-time favorite for me).  However, that’s too easy. Personally, I loved the Brine Houdini but it never took on as well. It was like an updated Edge in my opinion.  I still play with a few guys that swear by it. You can pick them up cheap on eBay, check one out.
2. STX Liquid or Brine Prophecy?  Tough call on both of these. While they both had great intentions, they were not the most durable.  The Prophecy had very few sidewall holes (you strung through the rubber fingers) but if those ripped off the head, it was pretty useless unless you drilled new sidewall holes.  I loved the faceshape and build of the Liquid but the “floating” bridge was held together with dental floss. Once those broke off, you were left trying to reattach them with whatever you could.  Those typically didn’t hold either. Plus, the liquid was one of the older heads where the bottom of the head inserted into the shaft (Like the Duel for example).
3. I box pinched a head but it’s still too wide.  Any suggestions? Still not narrow enough? That’s easy.  Redo the string that you used earlier (pulling slightly tighter) and rebake.  Keep the process up until you get the pinch you prefer.
4. Does head weight really matter?  To me? Not at all. Unless it’s the weight of a brick, 1 or 2 ounces isn’t going to matter.  I always have one traditional head in my rotation and when the game begins, I have never thought “this feels sooo heavy.”  If that’s the case for you, do some push-ups, that will help.
5. Read your carbon fiber reviews, what’s your favorite?  Tough call….at the end of the day, my go to shaft is still the OG STX SC-TI but I did change my tune about carbons through these reviews.  Here’s my quick overall all impression.
   1. Best Value-Rocket Mesh.  
   2. Overall Lightest Feel- The ECD Carbon 2.0 (Warrior Burn Pro was a close second)
   3. Most Durable-The Wolf Element.  
   4. Best Shape- STX Alliance 2D
   5. Best Snape (on release)- True Comp 4.5. (Throne Rift was a close second)

Note- I did not review the newest Epoch Dragonfly (I did the 8) but that was comparable to slightly heavier Comp 4.5.

#TheGopherProject: Dyes

1. How do you get your black dyes so dark?  Back in the day it was more difficult to get black.  You need the minimum amount of water to cover the head and the highest temperature.  I’d always double up on the amount of black and leave it for 20 minutes. These days, it’s easy.  Boiling water, citric acid, laxdip black.
2. How do I mix colors to get a color that isn’t available?  There are several colors most dye companies just do not make.  So, you have to think back to the color wheel and try to build off that.   Let’s take maroon for example, it’s a tough color to nail down. There are two ways I’ve used to get this color in the past.  With Rit, pearl grey and wine (grey first then dye wine). With Laxdip, I use crimson red and once that color gets to the point I like.  I add sprinkles (literally a tiny bit at a time) of black. I dip and see how the color changes. I repeat until it gets to that maroon level.  

#TheGopherProject: Summer!

1. Are you playing in the Shootout for Soldiers?  Of course. I’ll be part of the Army of Darkness at both DC and Baltimore.  If you haven’t signed up to play, do so now. It’s an event that you’ll never forget.  https://shootoutforsoldiers.com
2. My son just started playing, what’s the best way for him to improve?  First and foremost is practice. The more you practice with proper fundamentals, the quicker you’ll improve.  
   1. If he’s younger, I really recommend the Phantom Pocket to teach proper catching/passing/shooting. The pocket won’t allow you to throw without proper from. You also need to look the ball into the pocket while catching.  This reinforces proper mechanics. https://phantomlacrosse.com/#phantom-lacrosse-pocket
   2. Don’t have a nearby wall or teammate to catch with? Get a rebounder. Lots of easy quick reps.
   3. More advanced?  Get goal targets or a targeting system.  My favorite is the Predator Lax Rat. Smaller holes make you work on shooting accuracy and the balls hit the net and roll out in front. No time wasted digging balls out of the cage. https://www.predatorsports.com/The_Predator_Lax_RAT_3_0_p/ps-rat-3.0.htm

Remember to tag all string ups with the #TheGopherProject to be included in future articles or earn Weekly String Up honors!