Allow me to state the obvious:
There are LOTS of different kinds of discs out there.
And I’m not just talking about any one of the near 1,800 PDGA-approved molds that exist, either. Obviously, frisbees produced by different brands in different plastics at different weights with different shapes are going to do different things – this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
I’m talking aesthetics.
Most disc manufacturers have come up with a number of ways to remarket their staple polymers with a new name. For example, Halo plastic is sold as something different. In reality, though, it’s just Star plastic placed atop an advertorial pedestal. Sticking with Innova, I-Dye discs are nothing more than Champion plastic, but with a more “Deadhead” vibe about them.
All of the major manufacturers do this: MVP, Discraft, Discmania, etc. Also, I’d be mad at myself if I didn’t outright mention this: Hands-down, Dynamic Discs’ Lucid and Lucid-X Chameleon plastic is the best-looking polymer in disc golf history – it’s sexy stuff.
WAY more of that, please.
One that doesn’t get enough love, though?
Bottom-stamped discs.
The bottom-stamped discs in my possession are Star Wraiths, Scorpiuses and Destroyers.
I love them.
And if you don’t, consider changing your tune …
For starters, they’re unique. Void of any kind of artwork on top of the actual flight plate, you could argue bottom-stamped discs are boring. But with stock stamps the norm, nothing is cool.
Second, if you’re a dyer, you go out of your way to find these things. Use all the acetone and cotton balls you like, but no amount of elbow grease can remove the “ghost stamp” that’s left behind after wiping a disc. Clean flight plates make for better canvases. And as much as it pains me to say, if you’re a Huk Lab fan, go the bottom-stamped route for your TriFly dyes …
You’ll enjoy the end result.
Lastly, there’s a mystique about discs without stamps …
When cardmates see one, they wonder inwardly:
- “Did he straight-up wipe the stamp?”
- “How did he nab a rare, no-stamp misprint?”
- “Does he know a guy on the factory floor or something?”
- “Is this dude tossing so much he can’t help but wear off stamps?”
And my favorite inquiry – this time, audibly:
“What was that you just threw?”
Granted, for that last question to come about, you have to do something impressive with the disc. Buying bottom-stamped stuff is easy. Dropping jaws with them is a horse of a different color.
Thankfully, there’s no need to replace EVERY disc in your bag with its bottom-stamped counterpart. But when you can work one (or two) of them into your bag’s rotation, do it …
Instant respect.
Buy ‘em. Bag ‘em. Bomb ‘em.
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The First Thing I Do With Any Disc Is Wipe It Clean.
When I get paid to fly your discs the stamp can stay on 🙂
I like the fact it keeps competitors guessing. If you’re wondering what disc I just parked, you’re not 100% in the game.
Make ’em guess – love it!
Bottom stamped discs don’t wear off from in and out of bag sliding across the disc next to it.
That’s an interesting point, Greg …
Never thought about that.