Reviews on the new 40mm Brass X-Pert & Bobbi's Portable Pole

Juicy J started this discussion · 9/20/2012

Hi guys, Sorry about the last error. Webmaster, feel free to remove the last blank discussion title I posted as I accidentally pressed "go" on my iPhone. So, I think I am now convinced to sell my 45mm Chrome X-Pert and instead get a 40mm Brass X-Pert or a secondhand Bobbi's Portable Pole. The latter is way out of my budget if I buy it brand new. So, I did some reading on what you all had to say about the new Brass X-Pole and all in all, the reviews didn't sound too great. I'm wondering if anyone can offer anymore reviews on the new 40mm Brass X-Pert and also on Bobbi's Portable Pole? Is Bobbi's Portable Pole a Multi-Piece or a 1-Piece? Any advice, recommendations, suggestions, etc is welcome! Oh, and if you're interested in buying my 2 Year Old 45mm Chrome X-Pert, I live in Sydney and am happy for people to come look at it and pick-up is the preferred delivery option. It's the one that's bottom-loaded and is in great condition! And if anyone knows where I can go to see a 40mm Brass X-Pert or Bobbi's Portable Pole in the Sydney district (I have already seen and used the ones in their studio) that'll be great too!!! Thanks for your help, Pole Sisters!

30 replies

Lyme Lyte · 9/20/2012
I think we only have the 40s in chrome in the states at this time. I'm waiting for some other finishes.
Dancing Paws · 9/20/2012
So, I have a couple of things to say on this. First, if you want a visual as to the difference between the x pole brass finish and the PS brass, which is pretty shiny, look here: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_album/50252dd7-6c34-429c-854c-5d6a0ac37250 I'm not sure what the finish is like for Bobbi's poles, but I imagine it is similar to my PS brass, which is high polished. X poles brass is polished but with a more matte shine to it, so it isn't as grabby as the PS pole. That can be good or bad depending on your body chemistry. When I was on medication, I could not sweat for the life of me. My skin became very soft and not tacky/sticky at all. I couldn't open produce bags! With that, I struggled on all poles. Stainless was the worst, brass was still the best for me at that time. I believe that I would have struggled on the x pole brass at that time because of it's slidy factor. Now that I am off that medication, my skin is back to it's normal super grabby supple self. My PS brass pole can be WAYYYYY to grippy now. The brass x pole has a nice grip for me now, but still allows me to slide down without pulling my skin (I get stuck in an invert with the PS brass sometimes.) Really, it is gonna come down to body chemistry. If you have tried any high polished brass pole before and you can work on it easily, then I'd go for the bobbi's pole, but if you tend to get overgrippy, then the brass x pert will be good. Make sense? Platinum stages now offers poles in Europe. Not sure if they ship to wales, but their 1 piece removable poles are great!
X Pole Tech · 9/22/2012
X-Pole Brass Finish Update The latest Brass X-Poles, both 40mm and 45mm have a new finish. It is highly polished and grippy. Contrary to belief, the older Brass X-Poles were polished, not brushed, however the polishing method was different to the new process. Older Brass X-Poles can be re-Polished to the new higher grip surface. This is not difficult and can be done by a local polisher. We will post a, 'How to' shortly. X-Pole opened its new London Development Studio this week and all poles and finishes can be tested there. Contact the X-Pole UK office to book an appointment. X-Pole Tech Support
Juicy J · 9/22/2012
Hi guys, Thanks Sensualscimitar for your feedback and photos of the different pole finishes! =) Really appreciate what you had to say. Just a FYI, I'm based in Sydney Australia and not in London or Europe! Haha!! You probably saw the "Wales" of "New South Wales" and thought I was from the UK. So, I was lucky enough to be able to go to a pole studio that was suggested to me by an X-Pole Rep that I got in touch with through Facebook and was able to test their 40mm Brass X-Pert. Funnily enough, the studio owner of that studio told me the Brass pole really needs to be broken into as the one she has at home is really slippery and the one at the studio has been used heaps and as a result is much more grippier. I guess the duo-toned colouring of the Brass X-Pert kind of put me off a bit. The base, adjuster cover & dome are all a Titanium Gold colour and under certain light, the adjuster cover looked like a very dark colour, like black almost. I think I am now undecided as to what to do as I think I still prefer Bobbi's brass poles over the X-Pole Brass but am not prepared to pay over $1000 for it. I'm hoping to find someone willing to sell their Bobbi's Portable Pole for a good price in the Sydney region!
Juicy J · 9/22/2012
Hi X-Pole, So when you say the newer brass X-Poles are highly polished, do you mean it has a shinier look to it? It is still a matte finish rather than a gloss or mirror finish, yes?
X Pole Tech · 9/22/2012
Latest 40mm and 45mm X-Pole Brass poles have a hi-Gloss shiny finish - not Matt. Please note that all Xpert poles are bottom loading, no ladders are needed for installation. X-Pole TechTeam
tehCammy · 9/22/2012
Can those of us who purchased the old brass xpole finish, complained about it, and told we were wrong/out of luck exchange our poles for the new finish? After investing so much in the original brass xpole and basically being told there was nothing to be done and that the grip was fine it is pretty frustrating to see you change it.
Dancing Paws · 9/22/2012
Is there a way to get the old style brass still? I actually WANT the less grippy slidey version.
Aviva · 9/22/2012
OMG the clouds have parted and the angels are singing, finally! X pole makes a finish I can stick to! So psyched! When I first heard they were coming out with a brass I was like ‘okay, now I might be able to get behind this,’ because I cannot stick to chrome or TG, for me I think it has to do with the fact that they are coats and not a “bare” metal. But when I heard that both the SS and brass were matte finish I was so mad. I almost took that personally I was so mad. I like X pole. I like the design, the fact that you can get extensions and the portability of it. But I hate that I cannot stick to one and vowed never to buy one. (Mine was donated to me by my client whom I convinced to get a smaller TG pole.) Now, now it’s on! Gotta save some ducketts because I really want a thin grip stage pole and I’m going to have to believe that by the time I get the money together they will have a brass shiny finish 40mm for the stage lite 😀
stem03 · 10/1/2012
I have had the 40mm brass x pole for nearly a year now. It has the matte finish and we are still really struggling to get any grip to practice properly. Would love to hear what x pole advises to help with grip!
stem03 · 10/1/2012
I have had the 40mm brass x pole for nearly a year now. It has the matte finish and we are still really struggling to get any grip to practice properly. Would love to hear what x pole advises to help with grip!
Juicy J · 10/1/2012
Hi Stem03, Yes, this was the one I also looked at and had a play on - the 40mm X-Pert with a matte finish. I have also heard from the studio owner of this pole that her's at home is really slippery compared to the one at the studio. I'm guessing because the studio one has been used a lot more than the one in her home. If you have had this pole for nearly a year, how can it still be slippery? Are you using it often?
Dancing Paws · 10/1/2012
stem & joyful - The polish on the x pole brass is a matte finish, versus the high shine of other brands. That matte polish is what makes it slicker. Stem - have you tried grip aides like mighty grip or platinum grip on your hands? corn huskers lotion, pole, and itac should help with body grip. One thing to consider is that vinyl will not stick to the brushed finish, so shoes, mighty grip leg warmers, and gloves will not help with grip on that finish.
Juicy J · 10/1/2012
Hmmm...what I don't get is if you can't use vinyl things on the pole, then what can work?! If you can't use gloves or boots to stick to it...then isn't quite a useless finish for a pole?
stem03 · 10/1/2012
We prop use the pole twice to three times a week. I got it as a beginner so only learning spins and stuff in summer. Only started doing the harder things you need grip for in the colder weather. So keeping my fingers crossed as it warms up we'll get more tack on the pole (im not a big sweater). Might have to try out. I moisturised for a while before using pole but off course then hands were all slidey! Its very frustrating as my friend has just bought a new brass x pole and after three days its already really tacky and easy to use.
Dancing Paws · 10/1/2012
juicy - it's not useless some some people. Really high polished brass can get too grippy for some, like me, which others grip a normal amount. The brass x pole has a decenta mount of give for overgrippers like me, but yes, it is annoying that vinyl won't stick to it.
Juicy J · 10/1/2012
Hmmm...interesting... It seems from my memory, that the poles Bobbi's uses are their own brand of 38mm spin permanent poles and they can be shiny once you clean and polish it but otherwise, it has a matte-ish look to it. Do you think that the new-new Brass X-Perts are coming out with a shinier surface and therefore more grippier than the older Brass ones? I wonder how you know it's the newer Brass you'll be buying?? As I know probably 2 x sellers that are selling the Brass X-Pert but hard to tell when you can't even SEE the product and try it out!
Dancing Paws · 10/2/2012
Call x pole and ask them if you would get the new brass if you ordered now. You probably would as it is advertised ont he website as new and improved. I would bet that it would be grabbier if it is higher polished.
Juicy J · 10/2/2012
Hi Aerial, Hehe, I haven't actually bought it just yet... If I do go ahead with it, it will most likely be through a friend who runs a business and possibly through another seller on Gum Tree. Hard to tell sometimes without seeing the product directly. At the moment, I am still waiting to hear back from another seller about her Bobbi's Portable Pole.
PixiLouBell · 10/2/2012
if the new 40s have the same type brass finish as the 45, i say the grip is great!! i have the new x stage lite brass and LOVE it. waiting to get a 40mm brass asap
Juicy J · 10/3/2012
Good to hear, Rixi, as I have asked a few others who have used/own a 40mm X-Pert Brass and they all said the same thing. I'm guessing it's also the newer high polished brass.
CD Hussey fka Jivete · 10/4/2012
Great to hear about the new finish. I'm really interested in a brass pole, but I want grip! Otherwise I'd just stick (or not stick as the case may be) with what I have.
X Pole Tech · 10/4/2012
X-Pole Tech apologises for not recently posting re progress on Brass X-Poles. As previously advised all New Brass X-Poles have a shiny finish and increased grip so if you are looking to buy a Brass X-Pole grip is no longer an issue. We would still advise anyone buying a pole of any finish to try one first as skin types vary so much and so what suits one person may not suit another. In our absence from Veena the X-Pole Tech Team have been working on a video, which will hopefully be ready early next week, if not before, showing how to re-polish your brass pole to get any1st generation Brass X-Poles up to the new shiny finish and which can also be used on Brass poles that have had a lot of use and need some TLC to get them looking and working the way they used to. We will post the U-Tube link the moment it's up and running. We hope it will help everyone with a brass pole get their pole to the grip expected from Brass. X-Pole Tech Team
Charley · 10/4/2012
For what this is worth, I have both the chrome and the titanium x-poles - both 45mm and have danced on brass poles. I think the TG is an amazing pole. I found it very similar to brass in all the good ways and none of the bad ways. Certain types of brass make my hands sweat more, infact a friend of mine who has very dry hands found her hands also started becoming an issue on brass because of sweat. I am a chrome or stainless girl/ through and through but the TG X-Pert is a great pole and a little cheaper. I do recommend those who like brass to try the tg. I think the major difference between brass and tg is that tg does take a wee bit longer to warm up but it's sooo grippy and nice. X-pole tech, are there any announcements about the X-Pert SS? Have there been changes in the polishing on that one too? I love SS and would love to get one :)
Dancing Paws · 10/4/2012
charley - I think brass actually sweats. I motice mine gets clammy when I touch it, but not from my hands cuz I just frigging washed them.

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