Another stick thread

[Rocket]

So I thought I'd get one gong on the idea of tapered sticks.

I've been using a TPS or Mission for the last year and a half (3 sticks actually) and my TPS Adrenaline is pretty much dead at this point (blade) and my Mission doesn't look too far behind so I have to but another stick (s).

I decided to buy a TPS R8 tapered shaft and then I bought 2 R8 (Afinogenov) blades.

I did a decent amount of ifno gathering (Modsquadhockey.com, etc).

Anyone have any experience with tapered sticks / shafts?

I used with one of my friends tapered hockey sticks during a warm-up and I like it. I also had a older stick that it reminded me of a bit so I pulled it out (Bauer tri-flex) and I noticed that the shaft at the blade end seems to be much thinner than other sticks I have had. That stick was great - I really liked it.

I pretty much destroy the blades of all my sticks so I opted for the 2 pc this time, hoping it will be less money in the longer run if I really like them.

[theone]

i have the same one but i only use is for roller hockey. I use Easton Stealth for ice

but the TPS has a better feel and the Easton is better for shooting.

[ianmonsta]

ive been using the mission l-2 for the past couple years and love it, thinking bout getting a warrior

[yipperzz]

I use a dolomite and have an innovative 1100. They're the same sticks except the dolomite is tapered. Supposedly it should give you a quicker release on wrist shots and snap shots. The standard shaft should give you a better slap shot. But there's not a HUGE difference. If you're not playing a high level of hockey, you probably won't even tell. As long as it feels good for you and it's 2 piece, it should be all good. It'll save you money with the blades and you can try different curves to see what you like. But I do prefer the tapered over my standard even though I take quite a bit of slap shots playing defense. The release does feel a little quicker with it.

[Rocket]

Finally got my order in the mail. My current stick is completely toast - you can pretty much bend the blade with your hand, I'm surprised it made it thru pick-up this week.

I had a little trouble getting the blade installed without it moving (just a bit - but enough to bug me) so I put a little shim of some thing car material and added some other heat glue I had and its fine now.

Took a few shots in the garage and I have to admit that this 2pc it pretty darn light. I suppose I was expecting it to be heavy?

I have a game tomorrow and I'll see how it works. I would have preferred to have some stick-time on a new stick before I press it into service but that's the way it is.

[ianmonsta]

i ended up getting the rbk 4k w/ the crosby pattern last night, we'll see how i like it tonight.

[yipperzz]

the weight is good but the most important part is balance. when you start mixing and matching shafts and blades the balance can be off. i bet you'll like it. i used to use only wood sticks and once i bought my first composite stick i've never gone back.

[Rocket]

OK - so I've had a good 2 skates to initiate my 2 pc.

On the whole - its great.

I really notice that I can snap off a decent shot at different angles with greater ease. I'll have to refine that a bit cuz I've had some pretty good hard shot that have missed my spot but I think I can dial that in over some trips to the stick-time sessions. It gives me the feeling that I can get my shot away at some different (new) angles than I could with my non-tapered stick.

Using the Afino pattern is also new for me. I like the mid curve with a longer blade and this one also has a larger height. I liked the height allot more than I thought I would. I've noticed that I can control an inbound pass MUCH better. One of my pet peeves about composites (aside from the ludicrously obvious issue of cost) is that they are TOO light for some situations. I notice this when I am intercepting or deflecting a pass, the puck just seems to bowl right over my stick even though it was in exactly the right spot. My guess is that these super light sticks just do not have enough mass so the puck just keeps on trucking. I've noticed this affect at times on passes that I am receiving. With this pattern I could corral the puck a bit more than I could with my Ribiero pattern Mission.

I don't care for the open blade, makes all of my shots loft higher than I want and really screws up my low corner shots, which are one of my favorite spots to shoot. I may take a shot at heating up the blade to see if I can get the pattern closed a bit more. Some blades that doesn't work well with and some are fine. Ehh, we'll see.

This is a really great set-up.

[HawkeyeXP]

S-17 pwnzors

[yipperzz]

if it's a composite blade, do not heat it up. unless you want an excuse to buy a new one.

[santiclaws]

Originally Posted by yipperzz

if it's a composite blade, do not heat it up. Unless you want an excuse to buy a new one.

+1

[Rocket]

I agree its a sizable risk to heat up a blade.

But I have heated most of my composite blades, it has been a disaster for my TPS stick (I had already broken the shaft so I wanted to experiment with the blade) - my Mission Hex core and Bauer blades came thru with flying colors. Mission / Bauer / TPS is all I have ever used so... Bthe auer actually worked well for over 2 years, Mission last about 9-10 months.

Based on the results of my prior TPS blade experiment (and the blade type I have now) I think I will hold off until the blade has served its time (gets chipped, etc.) or I can get a handle on working with a greater loft than I am comfortable with.

It depends on the design of the blade construction.

I'm a big believer in trial and error with my sticks - but only when my costly new stick has seen its day and I have a good replacement I'm comfortable with.