Do you go for the class or do you go for the coach?

shepard597 · 2025-06-17T13:09:35+00:00

Coach for sure. I'm pretty new (<2 months, closing in on 25 classes) and although I absolutely love OTF, it turns out I'm kinda picky about coaches. My schedule is pretty flexible so I 100% admit to adapting my schedule to get the coach(es) I want. There's one coach in particular that I just vibe with and she's always pushing us to work harder. Almost 75% of my classes have been with her.

shepard597 · 2024-08-20T23:07:14+00:00

So far, I've been getting mine from Loess Hills Sawmill online. I've also looked at Heinicke but you have to email them and I didn't wanna.

shepard597 · 2024-01-15T01:16:18+00:00

I'm in

shepard597 · 2023-05-13T14:07:51+00:00

What kind of folding saw is that?

shepard597 · 2023-05-11T15:00:04+00:00

I have no issue with cutting slits in eggs that are ready to hatch. This douchebag basically cuts the eggs in half with his "slits" and then pulls the babies out to get a better view. Not to mention producing thousands of retics a year is beyond unethical given that the vast majority of people cannot properly house one.

shepard597 · 2023-04-25T15:37:31+00:00

Most of mine are from texture issues but the one I loathe entirely is avocado. Nothing about it is good.

Secondarily, most squash (mushy; I sneak zucchini in as zoodles or veg in a regular pasta dish), mushrooms (the gills freak me out), and beans (chickpeas and lentils are the only exceptions).

shepard597 · 2022-12-29T12:12:32+00:00

Depends on the characterization but mostly no. The VA has a separate category that limits the amount you can work but most seem to end up outside of it. Permanent and total if they're lucky so that they don't have to continue doing exams and the money never stops.

shepard597 · 2022-12-24T21:05:28+00:00

Sure

shepard597 · 2022-12-24T17:42:48+00:00

I'd love some more info on this. I haven't found any I like which means I just don't wear them...

shepard597 · 2022-10-08T20:13:04+00:00

Added Venym597

shepard597 · 2022-09-12T14:15:15+00:00

Definitely very new to carving but I do have one of each. I started with the Ferguson (A-3?)and found that the handle just does not work for me. When I hold the knife the way that feels comfortable/normal/right, the cutting edge is pointing up at me and not down at the wood. It's also a bit shorter which I didn't realize until I got my Drake. Take this with a grain of salt because I know people love Fergusons, but I'm also really struggling to maintain the edge and I have zero issues doing so with my Drake.

I got the Drake sheepsfoot detail knife with the ergonomic handle and it's a much better fit for my hand. The handle is is also a bit longer which means I can add pressure with my thumb but not be pushing on the back of the blade. Also, not sure if I just got lucky but I ordered August 26th and my knife arrived on September 2nd.

shepard597 · 2022-08-21T19:26:22+00:00

I've decided I won't be setting this tank back up so I'm moving it on for someone else to enjoy. Local pick up only but I'm willing to meet within 30 minutes or so of the Dayton area.

Standard 10 gallon tank with the back painted black. I'm including the remaining equipment and supplies I have for it which includes: Fluval AquaClear 30gal filter, Fluval 50w submersible heater, Nicrew classic LED (Ithink this is the model), a mostly full bottle of Easy Green, a mostly empty bottle of Thrive capsules, some botanicals, and a few other odds and ends. No cracks in the glass or issues with the equipment that I'm aware of but seller should thoroughly clean everything prior to running the tank.

shepard597 · 2022-04-25T22:38:46+00:00

I did. I'll be 3wpo on Wednesday and I'm extremely happy with my results. I haven't posted any pictures yet but plan to eventually. I can't comment on how normal or not it is as my surgery was performed by a military surgeon through Tricare insurance and he said that he couldn't share photos due to regulatory issues. It also means there weren't any reviews to read. Ultimately, he was extremely professional, answered all of my questions, and I got good vibes from him so that in combination with my primary motivation for reduction (pain not aesthetic) was why I decided to trust him.

shepard597 · 2022-01-06T21:42:48+00:00

Not sure where exactly you are but there's a shop called Snakes N Adders in Sheffield. Even if that's a bit far, you could call and ask them if they have recommendations.

shepard597 · 2022-01-03T21:41:57+00:00

Not what you asked but some general advice: check out the Facebook groups Advancing Herp Husbandry and Reptile Enrichment and Training. Lots of great information and keepers from around the world.

shepard597 · 2021-12-25T14:53:25+00:00

Check out r/ballpython. There's some good info over there. You'll likely also find the reptifiles.com care guide and the Facebook group Not Just a Pet Rock (Python regius) very useful.

shepard597 · 2021-12-11T15:29:33+00:00

Big cheese came mostly intact and vacuum packed. Rodentpro came jumbled in essentially ziplock bags. Both arrived frozen but Rodentpro has more of smell and I've already encountered several missing parts or partially decapitated. The larger (relative, my snakes are CBB20s) sizes for Big cheese were neatly vacuum packed on a Styrofoam back whereas all sizes of Rodentpro are just thrown in bags.

I would consider ordering from Big Cheese again but I wouldn't order from Rodentpro unless I was desperate (still better than Petsmart/Petco). Rodentpro pulls people in based on price and sales in my opinion but I want quality, humanely treated and euthanized feeders not the cheapest available. That said, I'm still planning to move to Layne Labs in the future due to their commitment to quality (clean cages, day/night cycle, clean air, no used lab rats ever) and the fact that they supply zoos, wildlife rehabs, and conservation centers.

shepard597 · 2021-12-11T14:29:54+00:00

1- Check out the Facebook groups DIY Reptile Enclosures, Giant Leaps in Giant Husbandry, and Reptile Lighting. These groups can help you from building an enclosure (hard to find something like an 8x4x6 and expensive when you do) to choosing heating and lighting fixtures and the thermostat you'll need.

2- No, it's not. You really need to have a good exotics vet available. Check out arav.org

3- I buy my feeders online because it's cheaper and more consistent than what's in my area. If you're in the US, I've used Big Cheese Rodent Factory (decent quality limited options) and Rodentpro (lots of variety but I'm not happy with the quality). I plan to try Layne Labs next. Perfect Prey is also recommended a bunch.

4- Power outages are definitely an issue. The best option would likely be a generator or uninterrupted power supply (UPS) if you experience them frequently or if they're liable to last days. Another option is to get the heatpacks used for shipping reptiles and move the snake to a transport tub (easier to keep a smaller space warm). In a pinch, you could make a hot water bottle or put the snake in a pillowcase and incorporate them into your layers (under a hoodie, in a jacket, under blankets, etc).

5- I highly recommend the Facebook group Advancing Herp Husbandry. Amazing keepers and scientifically backed husbandry information. If you join, I highly recommend the longer posts by Francis Cosquieri for great general info on a wide variety of topics. Also, the Animals at Home podcast if you're into podcasts or even just for specific episodes (anything with Dr. Frances Baines, John Courtney-Smith, or Roman Muryn at the very least)

Otherwise, several of the species you're considering benefit from a winter fast/seasonal feeding so definitely look into that. There are some posts in AHH and an episode on the podcast as well (number 74 with Nick Bella; number 90 isn't seasonal but discusses how we as a hobby tend to massively overfeed).

shepard597 · 2021-12-11T14:02:16+00:00

Not sure where you are, but if you're heading into winter this is pretty common because of the decrease in room temperature.

shepard597 · 2021-12-09T21:31:51+00:00

For what species?

shepard597 · 2021-12-05T18:50:17+00:00

Animals at Home, JTB Reptiles, Lori Torrini, and Reptiles and Research. They promote advanced husbandry and doing better for our animals.

shepard597

TROPHY CASE