What makes a handle good.

[ChiroBlitz]

Besides grip, what makes a handle good?

[ral]

Durability...

[The_MS]

What ever US Gear does.

[bananaron]

@MS DITTO.....

[Brewski]

@MS @bananaron. DITTO....What ever US Gear DID~!..... I guess there is no more US GEAR? ~~~> Their site is not working and I heard Randy Deyer is in poor health. Too bad he did not take my offer to teach me to build his handles but I really did not have anything to offer except for the fact we could have delivered handles faster and on time and build a better "No Noose" and keep his company/name out of the mud.

 

[Horton]

MasterLine hands down makes the best stuff.

 

What's important? Accuracy of length. Quality materials. The right size handle diameter for your hands. There is some magic to the right geometry of the triangle which I don't completely understand cheaper handles feel wrong. Other...

[BrennanKMN]

I wish MasterLine would offer some type of a handle guard as a easy add-on option. Something more than just the little cross bars I've seen in the past.

 

Personally I think that is one of the easiest safety improvements we as skiers can make to our gear.

[dave2ball]

I agree with @Horton. Masterline makes all there ropes in house using only material made in USA. So all aspects of the rope is tightly controlled to all specifications. There handles are also made to strict specs set forth by Masterline after may test compounds were tried and made in USA. Together you have a quality product that sets the bar pretty high for quality and durability.

[skibug]

US Gear is still taking orders, at least he was a couple of months ago. We ordered 4 handles and got them all.

 

I would buy Masterline handles in the Ergo series if they offered different diameters; but, they don't and they indicated they wouldn't. US Gear offers any size diameter you request. They have some way of grinding the rubber down.

[Brewski]

@BrennanKMN. Talking with Russle at Masterline circa 2015: "We as a handle manufacturer can/should not offer guards or we are admitting something is wrong with the handles" (which opens them up for lawsuits if someone gets hurt)

@skibug WOW I was told they were defunked by 2 of the top manufacturers. Going to try to get a 13"..Thanks fo the input~!

[dthate]

Brenda makes a handle good. I mean great....

[Brewski]

Wish other would make them float~~~>

[BrennanKMN]

@Brewski That to me is like saying car manufactures cannot offer seatbelts because that would say something is wrong with their car.

 

I understand Russels point, just unfortunate how that works. Lawsuits > innovation and safety.

[Brewski]

@BrennanKMN Russle mentioned something about product liability insurance in the conversation but that was a few too many back barefoot falls ago to remember what it all entailed. ?????

[bananaron]

I have ropes and handles from IN TOW and Brenda does a great job.I think they are excellent products.And yes us gear is still in business I recently got a handle from him.

[epnault]

@Brewski

 

I just got a handle from Randy a month ago. I talked to him on the phone and he was more than helpful. He did mention his website is old and not working. You need to call him directly.

[The_MS]

If I buy a couple more I will be set for life. I got 3 years out of the one I just retired.

[thager]

For those with small tears in the US Gear rubber there is a shrink wrap kit available made for fishing rods that I think will work well. Pretty tuff stuff. Will be testing shortly on one I have.

[Brewski]

@thager high performance shoe glue works great too. Masters cement or Jet Set

[thager]

I have tried lots of glues, wetsuit cements etc. Doesn't last. I think this rubber shrink wrap will. Am putting right over repaired handle material then shrinking to fit.

[lakeside7455]

Masterline rubber is best, doesn't wear out like other brands which is a big problem on others.

[The_MS]

Worn out rubber not an issue

[bananaron]

@Brewski How about the handle guard???Can you give us some input and info.

[ToddL]

Six years old and still going strong!

 

[moski]

Hi guys. Please educate me. What does the guard protect or prevent?

[dvskier]

Getting your arm or head stuck in handle causing injury or death. It happens.

[Brewski]

@moski what @dvskier said~!~

[Brewski]

@ToddL wow it really does look like new still. Any one else still using their 6 year old "NO NOOSE" prototypes show some pix. The yellow one I made in 2014, still like brand new.........ski on----:~.~*~.~*~.~*~:---->

[moski]

@dvskier @Brewski Thank you guys.

[KRoundy]

Very happy with the handle Brenda made for me. Two years, lots of sets, still feels perfect in my hands.

[thager]

Pic of Rubber shrink wrap over tear. Was first try with 30mm wrap. got better on other shrinks. 3 sets @ - 28 and -32 @34 today shows no wear. Little bit slippery but can be fixed roughing up with a fine sandpaper. Can buy rubber shrink wrap on evil pay. I

s sold as a grip for fishing rods. Was about $8.00 for 39".

[dave2ball]

@thager looking at the misbraid right at the V where the orange and black is put together just shows the lack of quality control in US Gear product. The V where the 2 ropes come together even looks crooked. How could US Gear let this out of the factory?????

[thager]

@dave2ball Probably me not U.S. Gear. I have restrung it at least 3 times now and there was someone else that had it before me to restring it. Skied just fine this morning.

[skihart]

My new and the last three handles from US gear. My kids and neighbors fight over who gets to use the old ones. These handles have taken me through at least seven seasons of skiing. They are awesome.

 

 

 

[thager]

The small tear on the left is similar to the one I just fixed.

[JaredSmith]

In Tow is the way to go! Spectra rope (color of your choice) and cross bar for safety!

 

 

 

 

[The_MS]

I just retired a pink Spectra US Gear 12 inch .950

After 3 seasons of both @Mrs_MS and me using it. It’s was dead on accurate when I got it and when it was done. Had the handle not hit my ski in the same spot multiple times, I would still use it.

I super glued it and it will make one of the neighbor kids a great handle

[Luzz]

During an annoying rainy day last week, @skiep taught me how to make a handle. Made two so far and I agree with @horton, there's some weird magic to the triangle that the measurement tape doesn't grasp. However, once you get the basics, you can basically create the handle any way you want. Make sure to have good rope, I'll say that from the start.

I played with triangle size a bit and I found a smaller triangle to be more responsive onside turns, but also harder to stay relaxed offside turn as the rope was pulling me in quicker.

Also, you can play around with how thick you want the triangle, main line, or end loop to be.

 

Advise: put a nice show on and get yourself a feeder and tons of patience

[thager]

@Luzz Kind of fun to build your own isn't it! I just mark rope to opposite end of handle with permanent marker for my triangles. I make the actual handle with aluminum tube, wood and foam covered with auto hose rubber.

[Andre]

@thager What do you use to bent the alu ? electrical tubing bender? or...

[The_MS]

@Andre 32 mph and a few rugs at -28. Perfect bend

[thager]

@Andre My first handle @MS is talking about was hollow 1/16 aluminum. Putting cores in them now. I have a tubing bender but 7/8 die is too large to do a US Gear style bend. OK to put bend in normal handle though. Looking for a smaller die now but may just have to make my own.

[Horton]

Regardless of what the the vocal minority says, Masterline simply makes the best stuff. It is not the cheapest but it is dependable and it is built right. The handles last and are accurate.

 

I do have someone that I trust to restring my used handles. I think currently have 3 handles in rotation. I will have a handle restrung maybe 3 times before I give up and get a new one from Masterline.

[Andre]

For those restringing your handles,doesn't the rubber wear off before the rope?

On all of my handles (ML and Radar) ,the rubber is shut before the rope...

[Horton]

@Andre I restring as soon as I see fray

[ALPJr]

Masterline is great. So is In-Tow. Were quite a few In-Tows on the podiums this year. My current handle and rope are going into their 5th season with myself and other hacks like me yanking the heck out of it. The replacements are in the trunk when needed. And, Brenda's product knowledge, manufacturing and customer service are second to none.

[Andre]

You should make a how-to video...with stuff and kind of rope you use.

 

 

[Horton]

@ALPJr if you are using the same rope and handle for 5 seasons you either 1 ) do not ski very much, 2 ) do not ski very aggressively, 3 ) you are on the verge of breaking a rope and you are abusing your joints.

 

Ropes are like brakes on a car. Every rope only has so much life.

[Killer]

I have 2 masterline handles that I retired because the rope was done, bars are in great shape. Would love to restring! @thager Where do you get the rope?

[Andre]

@Killer Found that on Youtube...

 

How's the ribs? Started physio today.Getting there...slowly.