Overall 48/50

Curve: #4 (Recchi)

Shaft: Harrow 300 series Grip Shift

Time Used: 4-6 months

Stickhandling/Receiving Passes

This blade is the composite blade that I've found feels closest to wood. I'm a wood fan and have only experimented with composite as the selection of quality wood blades is decreasing locally and I don't like to order wood blades online. This blade seems to have a little extra inertia to it that makes knocking down hard passes or errant shots easier. Part of this is because it is a heavier blade. Definitely not a blade to go without tape though, as the finish is very glossy and has no grip. 8/10

Shooting

This is my favorite blade for shooting. After 15-20 games it remains stiff and doesn't torque during the shot motion. 8/10

Weight/Balance

This is a heavier blade. I tried it in a TPS XN10 shaft and the combo didn't make it through warmups. The stick felt blade heavy, which I don't like. In fact I prefer blade light as it gives me the illusion that my poke checks are quicker. A little more weight up at the handle would likely have resolved this but I haven't tried it. 7/10

Durability

I haven't broken this blade yet. I've used it for 15-20 games and it is still very usable. The toe, top and bottom of the blade have several chips that I have had to epoxy and tape up, but this isn't unusual. The toe chipped quickly, in the first couple games, but has remained in similar condition and the stiffness hasn't deteriorated. I play defense almost exclusively and my blades wear fast. I normally get 3-5 games from a wood blade. Past non-pro stock composite blades have lasted 8-12 games. 9/10

Price

These blades are an excellent bargain at their regular price. With the discount code that Harrow offers from time to time, they are by far the best blade dollar for dollar on the market. 10/10

Intangibles

I like the clear labeling of the pattern, with curve depth, lie and curve type. I'd argue the pattern 4 is more of a mid-toe than a toe, but close enough.

Conclusions

If you aren't a gram whore, you can't beat the value and performance of these blades. As an indicator of how much I like them, I bought 8 when they were on sale.

Overall 9/10

• Axy-Sym Technology - More stretch on the front side allows for increased load while the back side and bottom of the stick shaft have added compression fibers causing stick tension to build up during a slap/snap shot and release into the puck in an explosive recoil effect
  
• Fits tapered shaft geometry
  
• Multi-Bias fiber - Fiber placement reinforces internal structure and helps improve impact durability and overall feel
  
• Carbon Elite - High-modulus, low aerial weight aerospace-grade laminate produces the ultimate combination of light weight and power for strength under extreme flex and the most efficient energy transfer
  
• D-Lite Blade Core - Strong lightweight impact density core plus a durability cap around the blade for added impact strength result in a lightweight and stable blade package
  
• X-Weave Fiber Matrix - 4-Dimension weave design using high-performance 12k square carbon elite weave plus two-way 35° X-Weave on top for increased strength and recoil snap-back on blade and shaft
  
• Matte clear finish
  
• 115 grams
  

Reviewer:

22 years old, 140lbs and 5'9" on a good day, rec hockey 4 times a week. I play Center so I'm pretty hard on my blades with faceoffs.

Blade

- I use a right hand w88 zetterberg in both a 75 flex dynasty shaft and 85 flex 11k pro stock.

Stick-handling/receiving passes

The feel of this blade is superb. similar to the last batch of tps r8 blades, not so woody as a one95 and is much stiffer/more responsive than a one95. Miles, and i mean miles ahead of vapor blades as far as feel goes.

9/10

Shooting

the axysym really just makes the blade feel stiffer on the forehand side, but softer on the backhand. the shots pop off the forehand as good as my vapor blades. backhand shots have a bit of a dead feed to it.

7/10

Weight and balance

I used a layer of tape on the blade tenons to give it a really snug fit in the shafts, and use a bit less glue. the balance is pretty good for a two piece, on the blade heavy side. I haven't had to use wood plugs to balance it out. not the lightest combination; i give that to the vapor blades still.

7/10

Durability

I was a bit disappointed with the durability given how stiff they felt. I've alternated between two different sticks with a dynasty blade in each over the last 3 and a half months and both blades broke within a week of each other. This equates to roughly 25 skates with each blade. both blades broke in the exact same spot, the hosel back hand side. the forehand side of the hosel is still intact but the backhand side split open so its hanging on by the fibers on the forehand side. it wasn't a clean snap but its definitely broken. the first one broke while receiving a pass on the backhand, the second one broke taking a slap shot. I have an active stick and i like to stick check and battle in the corners quite a bite, I like to take face-offs with a hard backhand pull. I attribute my playing style to how the blade weakened so quickly. I typically get 3 months out of a vapor blade.

6/10

Intangibles

the blades are $60 each in Canada. much cheaper than the average blade.

Conclusion

I really like the feel of these blades. A good mix of responsiveness and absorption. I haven't had the chance to try any totalone blades (prefer tapered over standard) but I would imagine they'd be along those lines. They pop shots off the forehand very well. I've been looking for a solid replacement for the vapor blades I've been using as bauer had a monopoly over the p88/lindros pattern in replacement blades, and the vapors had the worst feel.

given that these blades are $60 each, I will likely continue using them so long as I get a BOGO half off deal each time. I have yet to try reebok's 11k blade so I might have to try that one next.

Overall: 7/10

Our rep was trying to convince us to pick up the Christian OPS and since they also had tapered blades it was an easy way to gauge the feel. They're also a bit cheaper than other tapered blades so I figured it was worth a look.

Stiffness:

When new it was impossible for me to bend it with my bare hands, something I try on all new blades.

Weight/Balance:

Weight is about the same as most other composite tapered blades, maybe a hair heavier due to it having a slightly longer hosel and the blade being a hair thicker than some others.

Stickhandling/Passes:

Catching passes and puck feel is excellent with this blade. One of the best feeling composite blades I have ever used.

Shooting:

I don't know what it is but something just feels off with this blade. I don't know how else to say it. Shots are good and hard but it feels a little "off" to me.

Durability:

This thing is a tank. I had been going through tapered blades like water but this held up for almost two months so far and shows no indications of breaking soon.

Conclusion:

Great blade, I suggest everyone try it. They have 4 or 5 curves and more are on the way according to my rep. The durability and puck feel make this a fantastic blade and we have had good response so far on the OPS.

These blades have since been discontinued and replaced with blades of new construction.

Stickhandling: The stiff paddle gives it a crisp feel on the puck. The lami hozel provides a closely-matching stiffness and all around the blade gives a decent feel for the puck. 7/10.

Passing: The stiffness doesn’t make passes hard to receive, but it does make sending passes harder to feel and aim. I couldn’t focus on much else when making passes in a game. 4/10.

Shooting: I didn’t notice an improvement to my shooting with this blade over wood or composites. It shoots rather poorly. Shots were softer and off target. It maybe that it snaps back too quickly for me and loses all the power before I release the puck. 5/10.

Weight and Balance: It’s a fairly light blade at around 200 grams. Not noticeably lighter than all-wood blades. It makes for a slightly higher balance point than its competing models. It’s light, but nothing outstanding. 7/10.

Durability: Poor durability. The hozel cracked on the face side. On the whole, it’s too stiff and it doesn’t bend or stretch enough. I blame the thick glue layers of the laminations. 3/10.

Intangibles: The blade is not as consistently constructed as I expect molded blades to be. The shape of the heel, forehand to backhand, is not symmetrical. The hozel length was 1/2 inch longer than, and the toe shape does not match, more consistent Modano models. The lie was a bit lower also. Gaps can be seen between the paddle and hozel joint. There are some air pockets that appear to be from paddle and outer sock failing to adhere or melt to each other. All of this contributes to the blade’s performance.

Conclusion: Unless it’s they pay you to take it, I wouldn’t recommend this blade to anybody for any reason.

Used with 85 flex M-1 and Synergy

Intro:

I got this in a trade a while ago, and have used it in a Synergy shaft as well as an M-1 shaft, both Broken OPS

Stiffness:

This blade is very stiff, its just starting to give now after about 2 months of heavy usage for me. Blades generally go soft after 3-4 weeks with me. 9/10

Weight/Balance:

Balance has been good with both of these sticks, a little blade heavy, but nothing awful. Could be a bit better, but it is a long hoselled tapered blade, which is difficult to find now. 7/10

Stickhandling/Recieving Passes:

I really like the feel of this stick. Coming from a wood stick it was tricky for a minute or so, but I think a bit was the curve switch (Crosby to Drury). After a very small time of adapting its been terrific. 9/10

Shooting:

Comes off the blade very quickly, not softening at all nothing to complain about. It's nothing ground breaking, but is better than average. 8/10

Durability:

After a few little cracks and a scare or two its still holding up after about 2 months of usage. I thought it'd be done or soft by now, but its still going. 9/10

Conclusion: This is an excellent blade. I only use if for Broken OPS because I only have the one and don't want to cut down another shaft to accomodate this. This blade has given me everything I could've asked for and more. I'm a drury guy so I love the curve, the blade has good, crisp feel and can be found for pretty cheap. I'd suggest it, especially if your looking for blades for a broken OPS because the added height helps with the cutting.

Overall: 8.5/10