Pro Knees

[The Carpetologist]

I have seen a few posts on here about Pro Knees.
They look like they would be good, but they seem very heavy to me,
and I am just not sure how they would be for a carpet installer.

If any of you carpet guys out there have them or tried them, please weigh in
on what you think about them.

Are Pro Knees a "must have" tool?

[tony lamar]

They do take a little getting used to, but they are excellent. As far as carpet, I use them until the pad goes down and typically don't wear any after that. I believe they would interfere with a kicker. They're nice if you are cutting up the job on a hard warehouse floor.

[TFP Admin]

For those who don't know about this tool, here's a link: Proknee.com

T

[Jim Carlin]

I can't say enough good about ProKnee!! I have had them since mid to late nineties. Since all the parts are replaceable its the pads or boots that need to be replaced. I wouldn't consider using another type. Mine are so old and when the new version came on the market I considered buying them, but realized it was money foolishly spent so I ordered the replacement foam that attaches to the hard shank. Just like a new pair. I do have to replace the buckles and straps every couple of years. Still it's a great investment and your knees will thank you.
PS I don't work for them nor do I get any thing from them for this endorsement

[rgfloor]

I figure they gave me another 7 years on the floor.

[Demonseed]

Pro Knees work great, but as stated, I find it almost impossible to wear them and attempt to use a knee kicker. Fortunately, I almost never use a knee kicker. They take a while to get used to and you learn to watch your fingers and pretty much anything else on the floor (you will not realize you are kneeling on something). That being said they are a must have tool.

Around this time last year I was having a serious problem with my left knee, after multiple drainings and a minor procedure which took me out of action for 3 weeks, I started to wear proknees religously, with zero recurrence of my knee problem(s).

This is one product that every flooring installer must have. I could go on for hours about them. Yet, buy them and they will speak for themself. You will Love them!!!!

[Kman]

I got a pair a couple or three months ago. While the price was a little steep ($209) they definitely make working on the floor a lot easier. One of the great features is the two straps that are positioned below the knee and above the ankle, instead of around the back of the knee like most pads. This takes a lot of stress off your knee. They are a lot more comfortable when you're down on the floor as opposed to when you're up walking around with them on, and at the end of the day my knees don't hurt.

Downsides? They go all the way to the top of my feet and I have to retie my shoes several times a day. They are a little warm in the summer, since they do cover from your shoes to above the knee. The bottom half of my pants leg is usually soaked with sweat. They are a little heavy, but not that noticeable after you get used to wearing them. They're a little bulky, and they look a little funny; when they were first delivered to my house, I was trying them on and my son walked in and did a double take when he saw them. He said he thought I had broken both my legs.

Overall, I like them. They do take getting used to, but in the end, they're worth it. And who cares if they look a little funny? It's better than spending your declining years in a wheelchair or with a cane.

[Daris Mulkin]

I don't leave home without them. Takes all the pressure of the knees and puts it in the shin, back even feels better. At the end of the day you aren't no where near as tired.
But do take some getting used to. Kind of like walking on snowshoes. Don't kneel on your finger or thumb, man it hurts. You can kneel on a piece of tackless and don't even know it.
My stepson works commercial and the shop he works for pays for half. They glue a piece of laminate to the cover and then they can slide on the floor.

Daris

[Floorguy]

Originally Posted by tony lamar They do take a little getting used to, but they are excellent. As far as carpet, I use them until the pad goes down and typically don't wear any after that. I believe they would interfere with a kicker. They're nice if you are cutting up the job on a hard warehouse floor.

Exactly. Even before my Prokness, after the prep and tackstrip gets down, the knee pads would come off.

[stullis]

Must have tool and yes you can use a kicker while wearing them.
Take a bit getting use to but feel naked without them now.

[Kman]

Take a bit getting use to but feel naked without them now

Now there's a mental picture I could've done without.

[Demonseed]

I highly disagree, I have found a knee kicker almost impossible to use while wearing proknees. Maybe we have different body shapes, that allow you to somehow use a kicker with an instrument attached from your ankle to your knee, or you did not measure for them as spec'd. More power to you if you can do it, but for me, not an option.

Originally Posted by stullis Must have tool and yes you can use a kicker while wearing them. Take a bit getting use to but feel naked without them now.

[The Carpetologist]

My distributor here keeps telling me that you can kick with these things, and that the kick is even easier on your body then with out them.
That being said, I don't know 1 single carpet installer that has a pair of these, but lots of tile guys and wood guys love them.
I can see these very useful in commercial glue down work or vinyl installation, but since I do most residential carpet, I want to make sure that this is going to be money well spent before I take the plunge.

So far on this thread, there is 1 carpet installer who wears them for stretch in carpet... any others?

Originally Posted by Demonseed I highly disagree, I have found a knee kicker almost impossible to use while wearing proknees. Maybe we have different body shapes, that allow you to somehow use a kicker with an instrument attached from your ankle to your knee, or you did not measure for them as spec'd. More power to you if you can do it, but for me, not an option.

[Chris Flynn]

Originally Posted by The Carpetologist My distributor here keeps telling me that you can kick with these things, and that the kick is even easier on your body then with out them. That being said, I don't know 1 single carpet installer that has a pair of these, but lots of tile guys and wood guys love them. I can see these very useful in commercial glue down work or vinyl installation, but since I do most residential carpet, I want to make sure that this is going to be money well spent before I take the plunge. So far on this thread, there is 1 carpet installer who wears them for stretch in carpet... any others?

I wear them for doing all.... even running a portable binding machine or when carving on my knees... If there is any kicking that needs to be done, it only takes less that 30 seconds to take them off and 30 seconds to put then back on.... why would it make any difference if they were used for carpet or hardsurface if they were protecting your knees ? To me it is a no brainer, I bought them when Daris told me about them at surfaces several years ago. Thanks Daris....

[pbslee]

I wear them all day long. And i can use a kicker with them on.