stick9

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.

JMO. That kind of defeats the purpose of THIS ring. When cutting a new hollow I always do a few passes with the flattest ring I have. This allows me to flatten things out without burning up passes on. I do this on brand new steel too. Now if you want to start cutting a hollow, that's a completely different purpose. For that I'd say your best bet is just to use whatever ring you plan to sharpen with. I can see where you're coming from I just don't think it would be as useful as flat cut.

Sparx is now offering what they are calling a Flat Grind ring. Curious how much this differes from their old cross grind ring. https://sparxhockey.com/products/flat-grinding-ring

Larger or thicker doesn't mean a higher level of protection and vice versa. My knock on some of the newer gear has been durability and price. I also find some of the newer stuff a bit gimmicky too. Defenders aren't a bad choice. They've always been a great pad. I might opt for a padded shirt with a lower profile pad for better mobility.

I had the same experience. I think every boot/holder/runner setup is unique. The same goes for player needs and wants. Some setups just work with little to no tweaking, others require tweaking. Some tweaks are just personal preference as opposed to "I can't skate in these skates".

The modern golden era for gloves was around the time of the Vapor 1X Pro, fantastic glove BTW. I lump the FT1 into that mix, another fantastic glove. Back on topic... I'd go with the Sherwoods. I've heard lots of positive feedback on them. I don't quite trust Warrior like I used to and Trues are still less than a 1-percenter in my parts.