stick9

I went ahead and ordered a stock PRO VS with the McKinnon pattern from their inventory. I'm not a High Kick guy so the VS isn't really my thing but they had the McKinnon in stock so what the hell, right. The stick arrived less than a week after placing the order. The fit an finish was perfect, not a mark or blemish to be found. The overall feel, weight, balance, shaft dimensions were almost spot on to my beloved FT5 Pros. The build appears to be very close to the FT5 Pro as well...see attached pics. The pattern is definitely not my thing. Passing is crazy good. Nice puck feel though shooting with it, not so much. Different pattern and kick point plays into that. Anyway, I was more interested in how it compared to what I was currently using. I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised. The VS didn't blow me away like the FT5 did but I was still very impressed with the performance especially given it's price point, $169USD. It's not all unicorns and show ponies for me. PRO only offers the pattern I'd like on customs and the OG lines, not the VS, VF or VX. And, they do not offer the VF, Hybrid kick point, as one of their custom builds. Argh..

Since the runners are not interchangeable you are likely experiencing a difference in profiles. Try having the new runners (blades) profiled to something that is close to your old runners and see how that feels.

anyone using the PRO21 McKinnon pattern? If so, thoughts?

Good info. However, these new tariffs are a real thing. Companies are not absorbing that cost. They are passing it on to the customer. Companies are also spending time and effort moving production out of high tariff countries like china. Not sure companies would spend the time, effort and capital if the threat wasn't real. I can say for certain there are companies that have already increased pricing due to tariffs.

You're giving solid advice, the same advice I've given to numerous people over the years. The disconnect is the ease in which you can find sticks on clearance and their pricing. I fully admit, you gotta have the stomach to mess around with pro-stocks. It's not easy knowing what you are getting or even where to get them.

I'll say it again, this time a bit more concise. Why bother searching for a retail stick on close-out when I can easily find a pro-stock version for less money... Before you answer, been there, done that. Its not as simple as you make it out to be. Your experience is your experience. That experience may or may not translate to others. As I have stated, I have tried lower price points and while they aren't bad they lack something I notice in comparison to top tier sticks. All of this is irrelevant to actual discussion at hand which is the price of top of the line retail sticks.

Why scourer the globe for sticks on closeout when I can buy a brand new pro-stock in the specs I want for roughly $200US?? I've done the closeout thing before. The major downfall is once they're gone, they're gone. I'm not saying those second price points are bad sticks. I'm saying, once you start using the top tier model its hard to drop down. Its not about the weight or durability. Its about the feel and balance. Back to the original point. It doesn't matter if FT7's are selling for or even pro-stocks for that matter. The current market price right now for the latest and greatest offering from CCM is $389US which I find absurd.

As a veteran in the stick trade, that is easier said than done. Even on closeout the 7pro will run you $289US. Selection is limited. Lower price points just down feel the same. Once you've played with a high end stick it's hard to go back. I usually stick to pro-stocks anyway unless I come across a really good deal on a slightly used 5pro.

Tariffs aside, that is utterly absurd. I hope I dig my PRO stick cuz FT5 Pros in my spec are rare and there is zero chance I shell out $400 for a stick.

Yup, definitely tariff based.

Screenshot from IG, sorry I forgot who posted it. Finally a good look at the new Jetspeed. Looks like they're using the Forc composite, toe caps and tongues from the latest Tacks. I think they look pretty fantastic.

You think the two are the same??? Personal preference is different from increased or enhanced performance...which is what you were eluding to earlier. BTW, I know all about those examples and could probably add a few more.

Meh, I'm not buying it...well not fully. I have said here many times, some things work for players some things don't. While I truly believe in that I don't think it has all that much of an impact on elite level professionals. They've put in too much work for me to buy that. We're talking the new all time leading goal scorer, not some plug who put up 40 out of nowhere.

Not to be Danny Downer here but I think we all would agree that its not the stick scoring the goals, it's the player.

So you think the store is covering up employee theft, wouldn't that be bad for their business? Or am I misreading it?

Could they be stuck in Customs? I'm surprised UPS or the store weren't more helpful. If the store has an account they should have a higher level of support than the average joe.

My guess, the new boots have modified the angle of your foot/ankle. Maybe you pronate slightly in your old skates, not uncommon with old broken down skates. The new skates have you more neutral. Just a guess

@iceman8310 check your inbox.

I wonder if these experiences are exclusive to the coated steel. I know someone that raves about his BT steel. He is also a Sparx owner, not mention of issues sharpening.

Totally agree on the sharpening of BT. Total PIA.

The truth is out there.... Both are listed as a 5 but who knows if they are exact or not, same goes for the pattern.

Especially if you aren't worried about growing out of them.

I passed on a pair of Warriors shortly after the Jets Heritage classic game. Not this time. I just cut them off using a small pair of wire cutters. It took all of 10 minutes. You can barely tell they were ever there.

Just arrived. Still in the process of removing the shot blockers.

It was free and I didn't like it. So I have this really flat ring that I never use. Hmm, maybe I could use it to grind off the first few passes of new steel or in the odd chance I sharpen for someone else and they require many many many passes to un-bleep their edges... When it dies it dies. I won't replace it or be buying a flat grind. Im simply pointing out an alternate way to use a tool you may already have. Especially if that tool is going unused.