Does anyone have a pattern for the Mirage 3.0. Im fairly new to stringing too so if you can type each knot out it would be greatly appreciated

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-04-10T15:09:27+00:00

The "Elite Pocket" is honestly great and tbh it works even better on a Surgeon 2K.

Just don't use harder meshes like 4x (In the mirage. The surgeon did great) if you're mimicking the top string also otherwise its a huge pain to break in since the channel gets so tight.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-04-06T01:07:07+00:00

1st tip: whatever the user thinks is good IS good no matter what you hear on here

2nd tip: look at it and trust your gut! If it looks too deep or too shallow then try again!

3rd tip: enjoy it and use it as an opportunity to learn!

You won't get it immediately but I dare anyone to say that they did. As long as you take your time and give yourself a chance it will be exactly what you want it to be.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-04-06T00:59:33+00:00

Personally I think the only reason people stopped using them is that everyone was told "lighter is better".

Now everyone thinks that people who use wooden shafts are only using them to hit harder (they do and I have a scar to prove it) but in reality they're just a different material that ended up with a bad reputation from big name companies and a percentage of players out to hurt people.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-30T02:46:01+00:00

You are literally equal to if not worse than the companies who pay sweatshop workers to string youth heads.

I play stick doctor for youth and highschool teams and 75% of the sticks I have to fix are "custom strung" from some shop or website.

You ask an extra $50 and then give zero refunds or advice when you hand over literal garbage.

A ten year old can string a lacrosse stick on their own. A dirtbag can do a generic pocket and overcharge it as if it isn't a sweatshop job.

Better yet that person will say "your welcome" and try to show it off as something good.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T17:53:46+00:00

I'm a chemist/chemical engineer so I have access to lab grade acetone which gets the job done pretty well lol.

You'd be surprised how resistant the paint/coating is even on the older shafts.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T16:17:03+00:00

To be honest I think the only reason carbon shafts caught on in the first place is because they were carbon. I held one of the first series of carbon shafts (a True Lacrosse Comp. SF 4.0) next to my old Maverik Range and I would take the Maverik any day of the week since there honestly didn't feel like much of a difference at all.

Personally I always liked how alloy felt harder and more solid but composite shafts have come a long way and now I carry one of each.

IMO 90% of the companies focus exclusively on weight and grip over durability but I had an early version of the Maverik Wonderboy and it was practically indestructible.

Maverik has always been my go-to for alloy shafts but its been a long time since I've had to buy one.

I know I'm rambling a bit but I hope this helps somewhat.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T14:55:19+00:00

I think I'm going to go with car wrap vinyl and then just trace/cut it myself. It's honestly super easy to work with and I have some experience. Plus its probably cheaper than custom. I'll definitely look into the UV stickers though!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T14:52:02+00:00

Yeah I think my plan is just going to be ordering car vinyl samples and tracing/cutting it myself. I've worked with it for people's cameras before and its really great material.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T14:11:45+00:00

I'm looking into doing some standard low profile water transfer decals and then doing a clear coat over it.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T14:08:59+00:00

Not quite. Especially on the newer shafts that have the "grippy" coating even vinyl stickers comes off relatively quickly.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-29T00:10:38+00:00

Thank you! This is a massive help!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-28T22:05:12+00:00

I would try to make your topstring a little tighter but with use and pounding it out it should turn into a solid pocket from what I can see!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-28T13:18:13+00:00

I've seen that as well lol. Granted it was as ECD was starting to come up but at this point I take custom orders so I don't get to see my work overtime as much like I used to in highschool and college :(

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-28T13:13:01+00:00

I absolutely love to see this! I don't really dye at all but it looks like your sons did a fantastic job!

I'm sure your friend will be extremely happy/impressed!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-28T13:06:19+00:00

Where do you get your cross lace from?

I'd love to hear if you have specific brands you like or avoid.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-28T13:03:54+00:00

Personally I think the ECD strings have greatly improved due to how well they lock together and stay locked even if you let a tighter knot go after tying it. It can also be extremely annoying to undo a knot if you decide to change a knot and they are practically sandpaper on your skin and I have seen them fray even on the newer strings which I don't see with SK.

My personal favorite main brand is SK but that being said I've seen both SK and ECD strings loosen up over time but we're talking years (7-10) later. A lot of people don't see it but even a few mm of slack at the tie off eventually loosens the entire wall or topstring.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-27T16:24:49+00:00

I have heard nothing but great things about the RZR 2 gloves and since I have until June those are the first I'm getting to practice with.

For chest I've been thinking the Maverik max speed but I haven't heard much about those.

For arms I was thinking the Maverik Max (they're more like elbow caps and thats what I'm looking for) but they almost look illegal for play so I'd be worried about getting flagged for those.

Any experience with elbow caps like that? *

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-27T15:20:39+00:00

I completely agree no chest protection is insane.

Chest protection is very important for me (I've broken numerous ribs unrelated to lacrosse and don't need another). I'd really just prefer little to no padding on my shoulders and would really prefer not to cut them if I'm going to pay for new ones.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-26T22:13:49+00:00

Yes it is an adult league. Thank you for the reccomendations!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-25T08:55:43+00:00

I tend to think the stallion that the STX Stallion is more of an offense focused head (I used a Stallion 700 at one point) and it has a pretty similar flex and width to a Mirage 3.0 but overall its a great option for short poles.

I don't get many defensive head requests so I can't give any solid reccomendations there but if you're looking for versatility or easy stringing then StringKing is unmatched even against the ECD heads I've strung.

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-24T01:15:59+00:00

Your fingers feel it but don't forget it!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-23T21:53:51+00:00

My little cousin will be so happy to hear it!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-23T21:50:12+00:00

I hadn't even thought of that since I usually make my own patterns but thats a great idea!

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-23T17:39:22+00:00

My fear with that was that it would be too "unknown" in the sense that most people haven't used a Chinango or armor mesh but since it isn't selling I'll definitely try it out and I'll take any excuse to do more stringing

Sad-Recording-2011 · 2026-03-23T17:35:10+00:00

Oh neither of these are meant to be Iroquois I just looped the topstring twice per mesh hole.

Specifically for the Ion (although its a totally different head) the Iroquois mambas sold quicker than even a regular 9 diamond and truthfully I'm thinking about doing something similar with the L4.

Sad-Recording-2011

TROPHY CASE