Koho Pro Goal Blocker: Why does my hand keep going numb?
Written: May 05 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Comfort: |
 |
|
|
Pros: You can proudly display your geekiness by dressing like Patrick Roy
Cons: Poor padding, no finer protectors, stiff calfskin glove
The Bottom Line: Unless you have some overwhelming desire to dress like Patrick Roy, this blocker isn't all that great.
|
|
|
| puckmugger's Full Review: Koho 14 Pro Senior Goal Blocker |
When I bought my first set of goalie gear, I went for the cheapest stuff that I could find. There was one exception to this, I got a pretty good deal on the Koho Pro Blocker and bought it . . . well actually there were two exceptions, I also bought a top of the line jock. So why did I buy the Koho Pro instead of all the other cheap gear that I got? Well, the really cool looking blocker with the giant blue claw on it for $70 was sold out . . . OK, really the blocker was the last thing that I bought and I had done a good enough job on my budget that I could afford a decent blocker.
I wouldn’t recommend this particular strategy. The blocker isn’t the first thing that I’d pick to spend extra money on. But, hey, I didn’t know what I was doing back then.
The Koho Pro Blocker’s Features
The Koho Pro is a pretty good blocker. It has a full calfskin glove. Adjustment for fit is via a single Velcro strap at the wrist, pretty standard. A substantial molded thumb offers excellent protection there.
The blocker itself is dual density foam with a plastic insert. The cover zippers on and off for easy repairs, an improvement over laced blockers. The cover itself is synthetic leather and quite durable.
Using the Koho Pro
I originally found the Koho Pro to be adequate for my purposes as a novice goalie. The pro level rating that Koho slapped on this piece of gear might indicate that it was their top of the line gear, but it was a rather optimistic name. The finger protection on this particular blocker is minimal with no . . . well no finger protector. On one occasion I had a puck ride up my stick and split my finger open. A baseball player might have missed a week from the injury, but as a goalie I just had to stop for a band-aid.
I also realized after switching to a new blocker that the Koho Pro gave limited impact protection. The “sponge” that rests between the hand and blocker itself dampens impacts in goalie blockers. I actually had issues with my hand going numb that were the result of repeated impacts on the blocker. I had countless theories on the issue, from dehydration to caffeine sensitivity going through my mind as the cause. Until I replaced the blocker I never did figure it out.
The glove itself is a little tight for people with above average hands. I found it to be comfortable once it was warmed up, but it isn’t nearly as spacious as most gloves. Also the calfskin tends to harden up when the glove dries. It is pretty uncomfortable when first playing.
The blocker itself is a pretty standard size. It is beveled on the toe, making paddle down saves a little easier. Weight isn’t bad, but it isn’t great either.
Durability is pretty good. In a little over a year of heavy use, I had to stitch the pinky finger of the glove once. I have worn out the same spot on my current blocker three times now, so I suggest this is more of an issue with my style of play than the blocker. The only other damage was the zipper pull breaking off after being struck by a shot.
Final Thoughts
The Koho Pro is an average blocker. Guys looking for that vintage Patrick Roy look on the ice are the only ones who will be excited about this gear. In fact when I sold this blocker and the matching trapper on ebay the buyer emailed me about how excited he was to have completed his Patrick Roy set of gear. Uh, great!
Newer materials like Nash and Clarino, and even Koho’s new mesh gussets in their gloves are much better than the Koho Pro’s calfskin leather glove. The padding simply isn’t sufficient for people playing ice hockey often. It might not affect goalies playing once a week or less, but the repeated beating might cause eventual nerve damage. Finger protectors are standard on most blockers these days. Certainly they are expected on any that have “pro” in the model name.
The Bottom line is that the Koho Pro blocker is less than sufficient for goalies who are beyond the novice level. If you can get one cheaply it might suffice for a first blocker, but certainly isn’t recommended for anything more than that.
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
Koho 14 Pro Trapper
CCM Blockade Blocker
Battram Custom Goalie Equipment
© 2005 Scott Noble – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
puckmugger
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Location: wandering the fringes of the goal crease
Reviews written: 488
Trusted by: 247 members
About Me:
My book is now available in major bookstores or by order from my profile page.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.