Easton Mako II blade doesn't have sandpaper grit finish?!?

[Amiroo39 121]

I purchased a retail Easton Mako II from Sport Check today and noticed when I got home that the stick did not have the sandpaper grit blade. It has a soft/smooth like finish blade instead. Similar to what you'd get on an RS2. Anyone have any idea why this is so!?

Easton has the blade advertised as:

• Non-skid blade coating
  • Better grip for the puck on exposed parts of the blade
  • Better tape adhesion and tighter wrap

[AIREAYE 248]

I would assume you got that stick on deep discount? If so, it's probably an SMU. Similar thing they did with the RS2s and many more sticks.

[Amiroo39 121]

I would assume you got that stick on deep discount? If so, it's probably an SMU. Similar thing they did with the RS2s and many more sticks.

Bringing back memories of those every so slightly "off" RS2's sportcheck carried. The Mako's original price was 239 and I got it for 120. But I'm considering taking it back now, even though I'm pretty it'll be a good stick, just the fact that it won't be a "legit" mako annoys me.

[AIREAYE 248]

Even if you asked, I don't think anyone in the store would know what changes were made to get that cost price down to $70-85

[Amiroo39 121]

Even if you asked, I don't think anyone in the store would know what changes were made to get that cost price down to $70-85

Ya you're absolutely right, they wouldn't know and you can't really blame them. I doubt most people that by them would know either, it'd be nice if they didn't try to sell them off as retail Mako II's. I went into another store today and the difference is quite apparent. The shaft dimensions are different, it feels heavier, plus the blade. Not sure if I should take the stick back to the store.

[AIREAYE 248]

Yeah it's weird. Even when I worked with that group, we'd get some of these sale sticks that were not advertised as anything different, except maybe 'rebuild', but that's about it. Makes sense; they don't want associates telling customers it's not what it appears to be if that is the actual case.

[SpideyDiG 8]

Amirro39,

I had 2 of the original Mako 2's and also bought 2 of the Mako 2's that are selling at Sport Chek right now for sale price. I haven't noticed any difference in on ice performance. They shoot for me just the same as the older ones. I'm using the E28 curve with 85 flex. I haven't weighed them yet, but do feel a little heavier though.

[Chadd 916]

I would assume you got that stick on deep discount? If so, it's probably an SMU. Similar thing they did with the RS2s and many more sticks.

What they have done with repaints and SMUs would be legally questionable, at best, in the US.

[Karly14 21]

What they have done with repaints and SMUs would be legally questionable, at best, in the US.

No kidding. I remember a decade ago when they were selling easton si-cores without the si-core. It didn't stop SC from advertising the sticks as having the silicone injection. I worked at Sport Chek at the time, and a few customers brough back broken blades without the embedded piece of doublemint in the blade...

[Amiroo39 121]

Amirro39,

I had 2 of the original Mako 2's and also bought 2 of the Mako 2's that are selling at Sport Chek right now for sale price. I haven't noticed any difference in on ice performance. They shoot for me just the same as the older ones. I'm using the E28 curve with 85 flex. I haven't weighed them yet, but do feel a little heavier though.

Ya they're heavier, no concave walls, more blade heavy. If you end up getting another one, get them to check to see if they have the "sandpaper" finish Makos.

[Cao 1]

Back in August, I went to check out the Mako2s on sale and they definitely had the sandpapery blade. I ended up buying an RS2...which plays a bit weird to be perfectly honest...

[the iceman 132]

I bought 2 from Sport Chek when they went on sale and they both had the sandpaper finish on the blades.

[Amiroo39 121]

Back in August, I went to check out the Mako2s on sale and they definitely had the sandpapery blade. I ended up buying an RS2...which plays a bit weird to be perfectly honest...

There was the same issue with RS2's they had on sale too.

http://modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/64928-made-in-china-easton-rs-sticks-anybody-usedseen-these/?hl=%2Brs2+%2Bsportcheck#entry985605

[Cao 1]

It's weird because my RS2 says Made in Mexico.

I probably just don't like the stick that much. It kicked real well the first couple of ice times, now it's shooting a bit weird. Maybe I just suck.

[AIREAYE 248]

I bought 2 from Sport Chek when they went on sale and they both had the sandpaper finish on the blades.

Those could have been from their original stock, not the rebuilds for the sale. They would, of course, sell both at the sale price, and accounting may indeed record the loss on the originals, or average them all out.

[akravetz 29]

I am sure this is somewhere but I am not clear on all the abbreviations. What's SMU? I assume you mean it's a stick that looks like a Mako2 but really isn't. How can Easton or the store sells something that isn't what it is supposed to be? Again, I am sure this is somewhere but I did a few keyword searches and nothing.

[AIREAYE 248]

Special make up for a retailer. A unique product or line of products made for a retailer.

[akravetz 29]

So can they make an Easton Mako that is really not an Easton Mako?

[AIREAYE 248]

That's what we've been implying for this entire thread...

[Chadd 916]

That's what we've been implying for this entire thread...

All I'm saying is that they have sold sticks that appear to have different characteristics than the original sticks bearing the same names.

[AIREAYE 248]

Gotcha