Davideo

I don't know. The current structure of the market makes it unfeasible to offer very many options. Retailers, even very large ones, don't want to stock dozens of permutations of every stick. So it makes sense that the non-top end sticks have 2-4 curve options. I don't have any knowledge on manufacturer's mold costs or break even points, but with direct orders it may be possible to get enough orders that Bauer can offer a few more. I do also wonder if the proliferation of stick models (Bauer offers 14 different adult models) exacerbates the problem. But this just underscores one of a few reasons why I stick with two piece sticks, much easier and cheaper to mix and match curves and flexes.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that requires buying the $300 top of the line model.

Perhaps this could lead to more curve options? That would be a positive for that small subset looking for different options.

Looking solely at the direct retail aspect, I don't know how much impact it will have. If small shops couldn't compete with big online retailers they probably went out of business last decade. If Bauer is like most manufacturers selling direct, prices will be full retail, plus tax, plus shipping, and often more restrictive return policies. So I don't see it as particularly appealing from a consumer standpoint. It could be helpful for individuals looking for unusual sizing, uncommon curves/flexes, etc. that are harder find even at larger retailers. I could be wrong, but I don't see myself buying directly from Bauer.

It seems the Ribcor fit has changed 3 times in the last few years. Wider, higher volume RBK, low volume CCM, now apparently higher volume. Keep in mind all of this could be wrong as it was all confusing to me as a consumer.

Try to flex/twist the blade with your hands. If you can and it makes a crinkling noise, the blade has badly broken down. I've found the biggest impact is like mc88 stated, slapshots and hard snapshots are weak and go off to the right (for me as righty). The blade could certainly be losing stiffness before you can hear that it is broken down, but if you can hear it crinkling, it's definitely time for a replacement.

Anyone know what "Flex Fenders Technology" is?

My favorite part of the listing: SIMILAR RETAIL CURVE No Retail Comparison

I would definitely try a P88/clone. I used a PM09 style for almost 20 years before doing some experimenting last year. I had the same experience with the P92 type, sailing passes and a terrible backhand. Though, I also had the opposite problem of the lie feeling too high. I ended up settling on the TRUE MC, which gave me the little more curve I was looking for, but not some toe meat hook or heel sand wedge that I couldn't handle. P88 clones also come in various lie options depending on the manufacturer (I think Bauer is a 6).

Assuming you have a decent shop you can go to, I would just try on a bunch of stuff and favor fit and comfort foremost. Pretty much anything you buy would be adequate from the protection standpoint. Though if you think you might be falling a lot, a little more protective elbows and pants in particular would be good.

Video of the Montreal Canadiens playing with different handed sticks:

Only a single curve, interesting. This seems to be the other end of the spectrum of over-producing and shops having to unload with big price reductions. Maybe they could shoot for a middle ground...

I like how the Central and Pacific have similar color scheme to the old Clarence and Wales conference all-star jerseys from 20+ years back. But otherwise, they are sort ugly all-star jerseys, same as just about every year.

As an interim update, I've had about 10 1.5 - 2 hr skates with the new True blade with no issue (aside from loosening up a bit, requiring two layers of tape on the blade). The performance continues to be outstanding.

Air resistance is a minor component of a minority shot type. It's like saying a skate is better because it's been sharpened a few dozen times and so has less steel and is therefore lighter. There are so many other, and more important factors in a stick to a shot, and of course other shot types. And any comparisons of the airblade stick to another stick are pretty much worthless. If you are using the same shaft then the comparison potentially gets interesting. I find the claims that the honeycomb pattern allows for better feel and for better structural integrity and prevention of blade breakdown to be a much more interesting claim, personally.

Which brings up a serious question, is there a limit of the size of goalie helmets? Otherwise I need to start selling 6x4 helmets.

If I'm digging at a goalie's glove at pickup I should not be surprised by a crotch shot in return. There are self-righteous hot head jerks in every walk of life, and pickup hockey certainly has its fair share.

Technically they are objectively better. The objective is to score well in the test. The correlation between the test and the real world is the unknown.

So I received the blades and the transition where the blade goes into the shaft is very uneven and looks like it was just crudely machined out. Obviously this makes for weird gaps when inserted into the shaft. I've never seen this on any other blades that I can recall. I don't know that it makes a difference beyond visually looking terrible. Is this normal? Is this an issue? It's certainly not what I would think a higher end blade should look like. And both blades looked about the same. I didn't pay much attention until I inserted one and noticed it was nowhere near flush.

You could be on to something. Like this guy:

Thanks for the info. Well that is good in that I don't need to fiddle with extensions. Though it was a long hosel one that snapped on me.

Well that would be good. Except now I need to purchase an extension for my True shaft cut two weeks ago based on the old hosel height...there's another 20 bucks for essentially nothing. Is someone able to confirm this so I can get one ordered now and not have to wait till after the blades are delivered?

Well, it sounds like a relatively common point of failure. I have two blades arriving next week and we'll see how they last. If they don't, it will be back to Warrior/Bauer for me, but I'm hoping they do. I also noticed that the shaft portion of the standard True blades (basically from the ice to connection point) are longer than other brands necessitating fiddling with shaft extensions.

I got it from someone who had a couple blades he hadn't used. So unfortunately no warranty coverage. I guess I'll get a couple more and hope for the best as I did really like it. The only thing I don't like is I live in the middle of nowhere and have to order online so I get a couple for free shipping, so really only the first one gets warranty coverage (unless I break two in 30 days...)

I've been a consistent two piece stick user since the old Easton aluminums and recently set myself up with a True shaft and blade. It has been my favorite setup and I was going to buy a few more blades to have on hand. However, I wanted to get a bit more feedback on durability. I'd like to assume it was a fluke, but last night the blade snapped off just below the shaft at the start of its fourth use. Aside from a couple scratches it still looked pretty new and it broke on a poke check, so far from a high impact maneuver. I don't think I've ever gotten less than 25 skates out the few dozen composite blades I've used over the years, so I'm hoping I can get some reassurance that this was just a fluke. I attached a picture.