Crazy Pole Issue

Talk about insanity!  Or something that you never ever thought you'd have an issue with, lol.

I bought my first ever pole in February.  I was so excited and ready to enter into the world of poling, but I honestly had no idea what I was doing, looking for, or needing.  I basically just pointed to a pole and said "I want that one" (bonus point for you if you get the reference and read it in the appropriate voice)

The deciding factor was honestly the fact that there happened to a flash sale on amazon, lol. 

So, I ended up with a 50mm xpole, portable, spinning/static.

Got the pole in about 2 weeks, we set it up and I was going. 

I'm not going to talk bad about my pole, it's a lovely pole, however.....I've had issues with it.  After some researching, I found out why.  It's a first gen xpole.....and basically, they had some problems. 
Ok, well, I can deal with them. 

The main point of my blog......I had a hell of a time gripping it.  My hands could get a decent enough grip, but anything involving my legs and it was (and still is) insanely difficult to get that "sweet spot" of a grip.  That "locked in" feeling.

It was frustrating.  So I was excited to go to my pole classes and try out a 45mm, see if that would work better for me, in terms of a grip. 

I was in for a really crazy shock.

My first pole class, and I asked if they had any 45s for me to try, they said they had one, but someone was on it at the time, so I was like, well, ok, I'll just work on my usual 50mm.  Walk up to the pole and HOLY HELL THIS POLE IS HUGE.

I'm sure I looked a little strange, eyeing the pole the way that I was, but this thing looked insanely huge.  I grabbed it with my hand and my fingers were no where near touching (unlike on my pole, where my middle finger and my thumb almost touch)  What was going on here?!?!?

Turns out, after going home all kinds of perplexed thinking they had insane giant poles, I was actually shipped a 45mm, instead of a 50mm.
O.o

Four months, and I never knew.  I'm assuming that one of two things happened 1.they fucked up, or 2. they didn't have any more 50mm in stock so they shipped a 45mm.  Either way, wish I would have freaking known!

And here is the truly interesting thing: I do so much better on the 50mm at the studio.  The grip with my legs is wonderful, no pinching, and I always end up with a locked in feel.  It's a tad harder for a hand grip, but I manage. 

My instructor has recommended that I put a lacquer on my pole here at home, it will give it more of a brass texture, instead of a chrome (which can get super slick at times).  So that might be happening on one of my next off weekends. 

I'm not sure where to go with the pole issue.  Can't return it, as it's been such a long time (and honestly it's my fault for not checking I suppose, but I blame being a newb).....and as for buying a new one, well, I would love to get a 50 (as I obviously do much better with that) BUT, the standard for competing is a 45.....so I feel as if I should become accustomed to the feel and grip of a 45....


I swear, this would only happen to me, haha.