CM Interviews Interview with maxd CM Complaints Manager

[dionysus]

Friday morning read; enjoy all and thanks max

Interview with Maxd, our Complaint Manager - Casinomeister

Also, added to full interview list >

Rep and Member Interviews

 

[bamberfishcake]

Friday morning read; enjoy all and thanks max

Interview with Maxd, our Complaint Manager - Casinomeister

Also, added to full interview list >

Rep and Member Interviews

Nice interview.

Would like to have seen a picture of Maxd's 'collection of army surplus load-bearing equipment (aka “backpacks”)' though

Recently cleared somebodies garage and found an old army satchel that looked like new, i like all that old stuff.

Made much better than the throw away stuff we have now.

Pic please f poss?

 

[maxd]

Would like to have seen a picture of Maxd's 'collection of army surplus load-bearing equipment (aka “backpacks”)' though
... Pic please f poss?

I'd be happy to oblige. I'll set them up this weekend and take a shot or two. It'll have to be a WIDE shot.

Made much better than the throw away stuff we have now.

In most cases that's 100% true. You can get a excellent surplus pack for 50 $/£/€, or less. To match that quality in civilian packs you're looking at three times the price, at least. Every civilian pack I've bought -- don't ask, don't tell -- has been a lesson in the wisdom of savvy surplus shopping, well almost all. Of course it helps enormously that I couldn't give a mouse fart about being fashionable or having trendy gear.

 

[Kroffe]

Interesting read!

Score:

 

[bamberfishcake]

Interesting read!

Score:
View attachment 133447

I like these interviews. I am keen to see pictures of Harrys mansion, the mysterious Mrs P and Ternur dressed in legal mode and rock mode.

I was also thinking about some industry figures i would like to read interviews on - I know, I have better things to think of - but an interview with Roshtein would be an interesting read or the creator of Megaways or a big cheese casino owner. How about an interview with one of them Curacao casino owners?

 

[pereblue]

thanks @bamberfishcake , we have Interesting new Interviews soon, but of course feel free to suggest us candidates. we will try to get them if its posible.

 

[LadyJelena]

Wonderful! Although some forum people are afraid of our dear Max, you gotta meet him and get so much surprised how cool, kind, easy going and pleasant person he is!

 

[The Dude]

Max is the man. We've been hanging together since 2007 at these conferences. And we have loads of laughs swanning through the conference floor, messing with people's minds. Then hanging out in pubs and chit chatting about things like science fiction, time travel, whisky, conference agenda, complaints - and discussing things about you, my dear reader.

 

[pinnit2014]

I like these interviews. I am keen to see pictures of Harrys mansion, the mysterious Mrs P and Ternur dressed in legal mode and rock mode.

I was also thinking about some industry figures i would like to read interviews on - I know, I have better things to think of - but an interview with Roshtein would be an interesting read or the creator of Megaways or a big cheese casino owner. How about an interview with one of them Curacao casino owners?

Ternur.

4th June 2020: 11.34pm

Post 10 beers

Pre Puking

 

[ternur]

Ternur.

4th June 2020: 11.34pm

Post 10 beers

Pre Puking

View attachment 133477

3 days sober. I was.

Looking forward to beer(s) tonight and reading Max's interview.

One thing Pinnit. I don't puke. I can hold my liquor.

 

[Slottery]

Cool reading as usually, thanks @dionysus and @maxd

 

[mcgameboy]

3 days sober. I was.

In the same week, the same month or the same year?

 

[ternur]

In the same week, the same month or the same year?

Yes.

 

[maxd]

Would like to have seen a picture of Maxd's 'collection of army surplus load-bearing equipment (aka “backpacks”)' though

@bamberfishcake : Apologies this took so long, needed a nice sunny day and a bit of time to prep.

Left to right:

• left "column" is the Dutch DPM M95 (?) series, 25L on top, 45L in the middle and 80L on the bottom. Great packs! Some of the best military surplus packs currently available IMO.
• 2nd from left "column": Finnish M75 (?) Med-Pack on top (its HUGE lid is folded back), Belgian M90 "Jig-saw" pack on the bottom (superb pack, 120L!).
• 2nd from right "column": the famous "Telemark" Norwegian pack (a true classic), British M90 (?) Bowman Radio Pack in the middle (unique design: main cargo compartment zips off leaving a radio carrier, a very well made pack), Swiss M70 (?) "Alpine" (rubberized) pack on the bottom (slight mods to the webbing).
• far right "column": ALICE packs and variations: US Large ALICE on top, Turkish Medium variant in the middle, never-issued MARPAT version on the bottom (supposedly commissioned by the Albanian Army but the consignment was never paid for so they sat in warehouses until the surplus crowd bought them up and put them into civilian circulation).

 

[dionysus]

so, those would be...rucksacks?
edit nvr mind, seems rucksack is basically British for knapsack or backpack

 

[maxd]

Yeah, there's a bit of nomenclature blurring but AFAIK "rucksack" has come to mean something with an external frame. So here the Finnish Med-Pack, the "Telemark" and all the ALICE packs would qualify.

I love me a good external frame pack. Also have a US MOLLE 2 pack but I dyed it so it doesn't look anything like original issue. Great pack!

The pack that got me started on all this was a Swedish LK35. Superb frame but I've modified the thing beyond recognition so didn't make it into the photo. The LK70 is a beauty too -- said to be one of the best and it looks it -- but the re-sale prices are prohibitive.

 

[dionysus]

Did some decent cross-country backpacking; a good packpack is key, how you hoist it and the weight inside...someone actually stopped me and showed me how to better distribute the weight up higher and made leagues of difference.

Amazed the shape I got in lugging 80lb across country lol; first couple days near killed me, by the time I reached the other end of Canada, lost about about 40lb (of my weight); got home and everyone though I had taken up crack lol - just lost loads of body fat

 

[bamberfishcake]

Love that picture. Your clearly an enthusiast.

The kids and me could do some serious camping with that jigsaw pack but I like the look of the Dutch 45L. Looks comfy to me, i'm tall and lanky.

Nice story about the Marpat supposedly made for the Albanian army.

I'd forgotten about this. Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Changed my mind. I'll take the Turkish Alice please

 

[maxd]

I've watched dozens of TOGR's reviews, got a number of good suggestions from him too. He was the one that turned me on to the MOLLE 2 pack, ugly as it is.

You mentioned "tall and lanky". If you're ever inclined toward getting a "cadillac" pack check out Savotta. They're a gear manufacturer for the Finnish army and they make some of the best "mil-civ" bags in the world. Tall and lanky is very much their style. Brace yourself for "sticker shock" though, their shit ain't cheap!

FWIW that Dutch 45L takes the same style of side pouches as the larger pack below it, adds up to about 20L to the pack's capacity. Great kit those packs, I love 'em.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Checking out the Savotta website. The one i like, The Jaakari, is about £170 for the mid.

I can buy a second hand car for that which would be easier to pack my gear in but not as nimble through the trees and maybe not as waterproof at that price

Actually getting quite into it....'oooh 55 L that one.....no, no, wait......look at that modular 70L'

That Savotta make some nice packs. I like the 202 as a basic and thats around £40. I would expect it would be good quality coming from a manufacturer for the forces. The most i spent on a pack was an Ogio MTB backpack - loved it but the stitching on one of the seams came lose after about 4 months use - poor return for £80.

I still use it but it wouldnt last any bullying about.

I also have a military surplus store nearby which i am strangely tempted to visit today.

Edit: Does Bryan have a modelling job for Savotta part time?

Or was this Bryans lodgings before the CM Ranch was built?

 

[maxd]

Yeah, Savotta is something else. These are on my "free to dream" list:

• 50-60L Savotta 339 "Melancholy" Pack :
  You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.
• 60L Border Patrol Pack :
  You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.
• 80L LJK Modular, legendary but sadly discontinued :
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Don't think that's Bryan modelling for them, beard is too "wild man". If you want a chuckle check out Savotta's YouTube videos. The "Make Arnold Come" one (actually done by Varusteleka but they work pretty closely together) is a hoot but they're all good.

()

 

[Kroffe]

Ever check out the Flextrek whipsnake @maxd ?
Its not something for beginners, but i think you could handle it no problem.

 

[maxd]

Its not something for beginners, but i think you could handle it no problem.

Next life maybe.
Le Crevasse is definitely a non-starter though.

 

[maxd]

...someone actually stopped me and showed me how to better distribute the weight up higher and made leagues of difference.

@dionysus , I meant to ask, did they basically show you "light low, heavy high" or something else?

 

[dionysus]

@dionysus , I meant to ask, did they basically show you "light low, heavy high" or something else?

pretty much, but mostly ensuring the pack itself was really high and tight, so your shoulders vs back took the brunt of the weight

 

[bamberfishcake]

Show how easy it is to get it wrong. Have always packed heavy stuff at the bottom as thats what i have always been raised to do. Thats what everyone does isnt it?

How can something seemingly so simple be so wrong......so there is my 'learn something every day' covered for today anyway.

Didnt get to the army surplus store but the kids are set on camping now so being armed with my new kit and new method of packing is on the list.

 

[maxd]

Show how easy it is to get it wrong. Have always packed heavy stuff at the bottom as thats what i have always been raised to do.

Actually you may not have been as misguided as you thought. In my experience Dio's advice is spot on IF you are using a frameless or internal frame pack where you basically suck the load in as tightly to your spine as you can. Despite the fluff about load distribution and such the bottom line with these backs is that you are getting your upper body to do a fair amount of the work, hence the usual trend toward fluffy shoulder straps, etc.

On the other hand a lot of the old school external frame packs aimed to put the majority of the weight down on your hips, hence the considerable effort usually put into the hip belt and the shoulder straps looking more or less like an afterthought.

The ALICE pack is probably one of the best examples of this: the weight goes on your hips and the shoulder straps are actually worn fairly loose, basically just to keep the thing from falling off. You'd be surprised how well this system works AND you've got a lovely, cooling space between the load and the small of your back, enough to pass your arm through. I'm not kidding, look at the design of the ALICE frame, that stand-off at the hips is entirely intentional.

Anyway, with this type of load carry you want to reverse the "light low, heavy high" idea. Heavy crap goes at the bottom of the pack and you'd be amazed how much you can comfortably carry this way. I've packed loads of wood pushing 50 kilos out of the bush and I promise you, I'd much rather do it with an external frame pack than the more modern frameless or internal frame packs. I've done it both ways, it's certainly physically possible, but in terms of comfort and sure-footedness it's external frame for the win IMO.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to anyone but I pretty much detest most modern pack designs. Sure, I'll take the nice padded shoulder straps and waist belts but as to the bag and frame, give me a good external frame bucket pack any time you need to carry a real load. Below 15 kilos it doesn't matter much either way but at 20 kilos or more I find a properly packed and adjusted external frame pack is by far the way to go.

That said I am not a trail hiker, I much prefer off-trail, cross country hiking. I suspect this has more than a little to do with my preference in packs.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Actually you may not have been as misguided as you thought. In my experience Dio's advice is spot on IF you are using a frameless or internal frame pack where you basically suck the load in as tightly to your spine as you can. Despite the fluff about load distribution and such the bottom line with these backs is that you are getting your upper body to do a fair amount of the work, hence the usual trend toward fluffy shoulder straps, etc.

On the other hand a lot of the old school external frame packs aimed to put the majority of the weight down on your hips, hence the considerable effort usually put into the hip belt and the shoulder straps looking more or less like an afterthought.

The ALICE pack is probably one of the best examples of this: the weight goes on your hips and the shoulder straps are actually worn fairly loose, basically just to keep the thing from falling off. You'd be surprised how well this system works AND you've got a lovely, cooling space between the load and the small of your back, enought to pass your arm through. I'm not kidding, look at the design of the ALICE frame, that stand-off at the hips is entirely intentional.

Anyway, with this type of load carry you want to reverse the "light low, heavy high" idea. Heavy crap goes at the bottom of the pack and you'd be amazed how much you can comfortably carry this way. I've packed loads of wood pushing 50 kilos out of the bush and I promise you, I'd much rather do it with an external frame pack than the more modern frameless or internal frame packs. I've done it both ways, it's certainly physically possible, but in terms of comfort and sure-footedness it's external frame for the win IMO.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to anyone but I pretty much detest most modern pack designs. Sure, I'll take the nice padded shoulder straps and waist belts but as to the bag and frame, give me a good external frame bucket pack any time you need to carry a real load. Below 15 kilos it doesn't matter much either way but at 20 kilos or more I find a properly packed and adjusted external frame pack is by far the way to go.

That said I am not a trail hiker, I much prefer off-trail, cross country hiking. I suspect this has more than a little to do with my preference in packs.

I wondered why there was a picture of an arm being put between a frame and ALICE pack on the Savotta website. Now it makes sense.

On my list to get one now. Take the kids camping and enthusiastically bore them with my newfound pack knowledge.

I take it ALICE is an acronym? Im off to google.

I checked out your dream list and they look smart. I think one of them said 'will last for life, and probably longer'.

I wonder how many modern day products can stake such a bold claim in our throw away society.

Edit:

all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment

ALICE (all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment) is an equipment attachment system and accessory set officially adopted by the military in 1973.6 Aug 2015

 

[dionysus]

I'm def no pack expert so dont take any of my advice lol
I've had both; in my earlier years, I had expensive gear when I backpacked Europe, a lot of bells, whistles, straps and padding - and as max mentioned, the hip padding and it was near a body pack; contoured my body, huge ass padding around my hips and waist

But I tell ya...for me - at least in my 30s (last major trek) the best for me, was hoisting it to my shoulders, and letting my upper body strength do the work

Dunno if age thing, or body thing but if..IF..i had to do a go again, no way, i could distribute the weight throughout my body
I'd have it all top and high

 

[maxd]

On my list to get one now. Take the kids camping and enthusiastically bore them with my newfound pack knowledge.

FYI a Large ALICE -- quite a different pack than the Medium -- in good shape runs around 50 £/USD.

The Medium is basically a day or overnight pack, the Large is an expedition pack, with almost twice the capacity.

Bryan's advice -- he still has his -- was "get Large" and now that I have mine I'd second that. But I like big packs so there's that.