OzziesDad

Its just blue stretch/grip tape. I use regular white tape under it to form a small knob at the top. Then tape over it, and down the shaft with the grip tape. Initial impressions of the sticks were good. I didn't fall in love with either after the first skate. However, they definitely felt good. Some positives were definitely the puck feel and how light and well balanced each stick was. Looking forward to using them again tonight.

Back to back games tonight. http://imgur.com/gallery/FoAnB9i

Warrior was interested in VH prior. I'm not sure of the semantics, but it never happened, and then True swooped in. I'm curious as to what you are basing this on. While both companies are doing well, True just took the leap in acquiring VH. I highly doubt they would be so quick to turn around and basically just sell off everything, and not continue to push forward for their share of the market.

They are listed on the website for all 6 sticks.

Lacrosse isn't hockey. You can't bank on brand recognition in one niche sport carrying over to another niche sport. I get that there is definitely some crossover between players who do both though. I'm 40 years old and had never heard of STX anything until they came into the hockey market and I did some research on the brand. I guarantee there are many just like me (as well as many that aren't) that had no clue who they were.

I don't think you would be seeing them all over. If that were the case, far more people would be using Base 2 and 1 piece sticks. I'm in a huge hockey market, and people always ask me what my "Base" stick is. The fact of the matter is, almost all hockey players out there are fine with the retail curves out there (even though it totally sucks the options are dwindling). We are niche group here, and an extremely small (but awesome) part of the hockey playing community. Most players don't break down all the minutia of a stick. Its "give me my P88 in 85 flex, and I'm good to go". We are a different breed. STX is seemingly taking the right steps to do what they feel is the right thing to maximize profit and market properly. Base is basically the only viable retailer doing this. While I like their products (I own numerous shafts and blades), there are downsides. The fit and finish of the final product leaves something to be desired at times, as does the turnaround time. I still support them, and love what they provide. I'm just being honest about a couple small annoyances. Looking forward to my RX3 too. It arrives Monday.

Just placed an order for an RX3 about 2 hours ago. Between the price point, 20% off, and free shipping, it seemed like a no brainer. Excited for the new direction STX is taking.

I've really enjoyed the 2 STX sticks I have used (Stallion HPR and RX2). Granted, I picked both up cheap when they went on clearance, but that doesn't diminish the fact they are both a quality product (meaning, I'm not letting the great deal on each factor into the bottom line that they are great sticks regardless). I was unaware this was their new business direction. I will certainly support them if the quality of the product remains the same. Those are some fantastic price points.

Picking mine up at Sparx HQ today. Pretty psyched.

Just ordered mine. Free shipping and 0% for 12 months forced my hand. Looking forward to its arrival.

Just to piggyback on that. I have a QX (which I like a lot). I am a devout W01 (PM9) user. However, I've noticed the W01 isn't available on a lot of the special edition or anything below the top two tiers. I'm just concerned it may get phased out altogether. So to get to my point, a teammate had a new QX4 in W88. He let me give it a try to see if the curve/lie was something I might want to switch to. All I can say is, for a 100.00 price point stick, I was very impressed. Fairly lightweight for its price range. However, the balance, puck feel, and just shooting in general were great. Very impressed. Nice work.

I believe "T8" to denote the specific blade build. To my knowledge, T8 is the code for the standard Alpha QX blade.

Any Bauer product with "HP" in the name is generally an SMU for Pure Hockey. That being said, I am looking to replace my TO girdle, and have looked at both the older and newer HP girdles in store at Pure Hockey. I see zero tangible difference between the Total One and Supreme Total One HP girdle in terms of fit, and padding. However, the 2017 Supreme HP Pro girdle seems to be slightly better construction than all 3, albeit for a mere 10.00 markup.

I'll chime in as another fan of the 710. I've had about 7 games with it now, and I have to say that it's personally the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn.

I am not disagreeing with you. However, with a little due diligence it hasn't been hard for me to never even come close to paying full price for a high end stick, all while getting a flex and curve that I prefer. You just need to do a little homework, and stay on top of the product releases and sales. Back to the topic, while I love sticks/skates/equipment, I am far from what I would call an "equipment snob". To each their own. Whatever works for you and you can afford/like- more power to you. For the life of me though, I can't understand buying one of these generic sticks, over a legit brand name. From what I've seen, you never really save a good deal of money, as well as you literally have no idea of the quality of the product you are getting, and often times it appears these companies market their sticks as near or top of the line performance for a fraction of the price. I don't find that to be true in almost every case.

I've found that wrapping the stick(s) in bubble wrap (plus wrapping the blade in a home made card board protector out of whatever you have lying around), then wrapping in a garbage bag, followed by a nice wrap of shipping tape over everything is the way to go for shipping sticks. It keeps the cost down. The sticks are protected. It's pretty easy to put together. Unless you have boxes from a prior purchase, its a pain to find one's to fit sticks in. it can also be ridiculously expensive to purchase boxes and ship them due to the size.

Played 3 games with them (2 Monday, 1 last night), and really like what the Powerfoot does. It just really dials in an already good fit for me. I bought Tacks last Halloween, and have played 2-4x a week with them since then (Sr./10D). I really like everything about the skates, but felt the toe box had just a tad too much room for me. These solved that small issue, and I actually feel like my skating is even better. Even if the latter is just placebo, any little bit helps, even if its just a mental thing. Great product. Putting another set in my designated pond hockey skates tonight.

I finally had my skates done by one of the Sparx machines at a local rink. I have played 3 games in them at 3 different rinks (upper C division), and overall I am fairly impressed. Skates are last years Tacks, and I stayed with my preferred 1/2" sharpening. Like most people, I have had good sharpenings, and bad sharpenings over the years. I generally tend to get my skates done by the same guy. However, as you know sometimes you need to get them done by someone else when in a jam, and those results can go vary from terrible to great (kind of like using a different barber I guess. haha). Anyhow, I think the bottom line is that the machine certainly caters to the crowd that doesn't have direct access to get a good sharpening done on a consistent basis. To be honest, as much as i wanted to notice a difference when it was done by the machine, I really didn't. I don't really know what I expected, but the edges felt great. I wish I could give a review with much more insight, and far more impactful testimony (good or bad). However, the machine does what it says, I guess. I don't think I will be purchasing one anytime soon (as I can get a good sharpening at a few places within a 20 minute drive). However, I think its a great machine for those that can't.

My dad is 65 and still plays at least 1x a week. Could not agree more!

I'll be 40 years old next month. Been playing since I was a kid. Lived outside of Boston in a very healthy hockey community my entire life. I mostly currently play higher C level here in MA , as I have slowed down a bit as I've entered my later 30's and can't quite keep up with the kids (in regards to speed) that permeate a lot of the A and B levels here.

Except you kind of already did. As I said, I have zero dog in this fight, just a very different experience than you. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion on someone else. However, It's not productive, nor on topic, to continue this part of the discussion here. I am scheduled to have a game next week at the NESC, and will have my skates done by the Sparx machine to see how I like it. They somewhat need a sharpening right now. However, I have games tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday. So, I am going to hold off until I am at that rink next week to get them done. As stated earlier in this topic, I had them done by the Sparx booth at the New England Pond Hockey Classic last year. I believe it too tough to gauge how a sharpening feels playing on rough pond ice, as opposed to indoor ice. So we'll see.

Meh. I've never had a single issue or bad vibe with anyone at that facility, or in the shop, in over 10+ years of playing men's league over there. I've got no dog in the fight as I play out of numerous rinks in the city and metro west area here. To each their own though. You do come off as a bit bitter though.

New England Sports Center (NESC) in Marlboro, MA.

We have a rink here in MA that has 7 ice surfaces (and is adding two more) that has added 4 Sparx machines to take some of the load off the guys at the pro shop for those youth tourneys on weekends, and nights where its just droves of men's leagues playing. I would argue that the guys at that pro shop are some of the best at sharpening in the area. However, for people that just want to get a quick sharpening, and not have to wait as long, those 4 machines are invaluable in cutting down the work load. 8 months of incredibly steady commercial use on all 4 machines, and reports have been stellar.

Thank you! I did my research, but obviously not as faniliar with goalie gear as I am with skater equipment. Legs- Vaughn V5 7990. Pads were in great shape, measurements seem spot on, and the guy gave me a great deal. Catcher/blocker- matching Vaughn V5 7470. Basically new. Skates- Reebok 12k. Very low end. However, they were brand new and 60.00. I've worn Reebok K series skates in the past, and the fit felt similar. Probably the first thing I'll upgrade. Mask- Bauer NME8. Fairly standard beer league protection. Sticks- True a4.5s. Ivery been using their sticks exclusively for over a year and a half now. Kept it going with my goalie sticks. Pants- Reebok pro returns of some sort. I know they are from the Florida Panthers. Felt beefier than the regular CCM'S and Bauers I tried on. Goalie jock- Vaughn Neck guard- CCM Dangler- Pure Goalie in house model. C/A- CCM Premier. I think that's everything?? Off to play a game now (as a d-man). Less than 24 hours I'll be using all this stuff for the first time!