Walter Klassen #1

[Peter Schmehl]

Hey folks,

 

I got myself a Walter Klassen backmounted vest recently. I do have no idea why not everyone should work with this kind of vest, understanding that despite different sizes of the vest, human bodies are very different from each other and may experience problems with it.

Please someone give me one advantage of a regular frontmounted vest, besides the fact that the WK might be a little wider when walking through doors.

I`m not being sarcastic, I`m just interested in the opinion of all you guys.

 

Thank you,

 

Peter

[Gus Trivino]

Maybe the front is lighter than a WK vest?

Maybe front vest are more adjustable to other Operator size?

Maybe the price?

I have 2 front vest and 1a WK vest.

I usually use front...

Just my feel..

[Peter Schmehl]

Maybe the front is lighter than a WK vest?

Maybe front vest are more adjustable to other Operator size?

Maybe the price?

I have 2 front vest and 1a WK vest.

I usually use front...

Just my feel..

 

 

Hey Gus,

 

thanks for your reply, actually the WK is about 1kg heavier than the frontmounts. Which isnt much, considering the great feeling. :)

The adjustment to the operator size is a good point, but does it have to to get adjusted to someone else?

I got a frontmount and a WK.

I gotta say, that I hate the frontmount by now. :)

 

Thanks for your thoughts Gus!! appreciate it

 

Peter

[Charles Papert]

I'm fairly sure there is a spread of weights amongst the front-mount vests, Peter. Also I'm wondering how many different ones you might have tried. The PRO vest is quite a different animal than the Master vest, for instance.

 

That said, owning both a PRO and a Walter K., I use the backmount for most of my work but have started using the PRO again with my lightweight rig and quite enjoy it. I do feel like I have more stamina in the backmount and I prefer the body mechanics overall (i.e. weight distribution across the torso), but there have been quite a significant number of operators who went to the backmount for a period of time and have returned to the front mount. Often the reason given is that they experienced numbness in their legs.

 

One of our esteemed colleagues has quite an extensive theory on why the backmount might actually be physically detrimental, and even has a theory that it doesn't actually do what it's supposed to (can't agree with that one based on empirical experience), but I'll let him pipe in on that if he feels so inclined.

[Gus Trivino]

Hi Peter

 

My brother is 120kg (264,5 libras) and I almost 110 kg (242Libras) and our Walter Klassen is a lot heavier than a Sachtler Artemis Vest.

I never tried a Pro vest, but it seem lighter than the an Artemis.

 

Best to all,

 

Gus

[Peter Schmehl]

Hey Charles,

thanks for your thoughts! I agree on most of what you have written. The stamina on the WK is much better than on frontmounts, due to the physical advantage. I talked to a couple of doctors, they have told me that a frontmount vest is the worst you can do to your back. Of course both of us know that if you are wearing a frontmount the right way, you shouldnt be in trouble. But since you are sometimes not in a perfect operating position, the WK is much more forgiving than a frontmount. At least thats what I think, so far. :) I might change my mind at some point. :)

Pinching of the nerve between waist and upper thigh brings numbness to the latter. It happened to me a couple of times and I heard that it causes an irreparable damage to the nerve. This is why I always make sure that the vest sits correctly above the waist.

This is my current knowledge of the topic WK. :)

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

I'm looking to get into a more comfortable vest for around 5 or 6k.

 

I use an EFP now which twists all over the place. And it still kinda aches after not too long even with proper posture.

 

Wondering if the WK (universal) is the way to go. I doubt they demo those out though.

[Erwin Landau]

Peter,

 

I owned several PRO Vests and went through several Backmount generation starting with the DSD Deluxe and ended with the Klassen Carbon front, single hinge. PRO Vest 6 pounds, Klassen Deluxe 12 pounds.

 

Kevin,

 

Give Walter a call, I'm sure he can hook you up with a demo or steer you towards an op in your area... hands down he provides one of the best costumer service in our niche Profession. Always an open ear and ready and willing with solutions... and that is true for his entire studio.

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

Kevin,

 

Give Walter a call, I'm sure he can hook you up with a demo or steer you towards an op in your area... hands down he provides one of the best costumer service in our niche Profession. Always an open ear and ready and willing with solutions... and that is true for his entire studio.

 

 

Erwin, took your advice and will be receiving a wk vest to demo in a few days. Had a nice chat with Walter as well. Thanks!

[Peter Schmehl]

Even Kevin is choosing a WK. Made my point! ;)

 

Hi Erwin,

 

true that, but as you always say, it`s a preference thing. I like the WK very much and never had problems with running shots or other "so called" disadvantages of the WK. It always turns out to be the right vest for almost every type of situation. Proof me wrong. ;) just kiddin

 

greets from munich,

 

Peter