stick9

Not a legit A/B IMO. We compared a traditional Sparks Machine home sharpener, to a Blackstone Sharpening using a yellow wheel and fine shine oil for it's final pass.

Haven't we done this before.... Needless to say, I disagree.

Wouldn't swapping the holders out be the best and most logical solution?

This area here. It should be on the outside of the elbow cap as shown in the very first pic in the thread.

The UltraSonics do the same thing. It's really annoying. I thought about warming the area up with like a heating pad and bending it outward.

I struggled with contacts at first too. I remember fighting with one for almost a half hour one night. It can be frustrating at first. Stick with it. It gets much easier once you get the hang of it.

A little late but... I've gone as far as to pack all my clothes and gear in my hockey bag and stayed below the 50lb limit, 47 IIRC. I put my clothes in air tight travel bags to keep them from smelling like hockey gear. The most important bit. Your bag and sticks are considered one item. Don't let them charge you extra for the sticks. It's outlined in their checked bag policy under sports equipment.

After wearing them a few times. I'm kinda meh. I can and will continue to use them. They are protective, comfortable and look well made. They're kind of bulky though and I really don't care for the extended bicep guard. It feels like it's in the way when I strap them how I like. The quest continues.

Only took em what, three years to react. Better late then never I guess. I wonder if it's a true Benn Pro or something closer to what CCM and True are doing...which are pretty close. Knowing Bauer it's probably completely different lol.

Actual use. Most recently but not excluded to, my FT3's lasted no longer than my FT5 Pro's. I also use top tier sticks but I don't pay retail for them. $340 for a stick is just absurd. Especially when you can find pro stocks for a little more than half that. Now, when it comes to pro stocks, they never feel the same as their retail counter part. I've experienced this from CCM, Warrior & Bauer. So if the other part of your comment was true, they would feel and perform the same, no?? I'm not talking with reps or customers who broke their stick on day 29. I'm talking about actual on ice usage from the same player playing in the same groups and leagues.

I don't know if I fully buy in on "lower tier sticks are more durable". That hasn't been my experience. I definitely don't buy in on "top tier sticks are made for people who don't pay for sticks". People who don't pay for sticks, aka pros, generally don't use off the rack retail twigs. While the cost of breaking sticks doesn't affect them, breaking sticks during play does and that's far more costly than the price of the stick itself. Ovie's infamous 8 stick game and the WJC OT game quickly come to mind.

Looks like a real Easton Sakic.

Got the UltraSonics yesterday. Overall not bad. I really like how my elbow sits the cap vs my Tacks. More emphasis on padding in the Bauers. Hopefully I don't need to test em. Elbow is still 20 shades green and yellow.

I got a bit of the pointy elbow syndrome going on. When my arm is bent, the point of my elbow can touch the exposed D30 in the elbow cup of my Ultra Tacks. Which is why I didn't just upgrade to the ASV's. After some suggestions here and much online research. I ended up grabbing some UltraSonics on closeout directly from Bauer. If they don't work out I can return them or flip em on sideline. If that happens. I'll be on the lookout for some Warriors or maybe I'll revisit the Mach's or M5 Pro's.

@xstartxtodayx Dang, that was data dump. Thanks! I tried the FT4 pros when they came out. I didn't really care for the fit and they seemed short to me. I figure the FT6 is built upon that so I've kind of crossed that off my list. The new Tacks stuff is just an evolution of what I already have, so that's a no go. I tried the new Mach and M5 elbows yesterday. Neither really wowed me but I did notice you point about the cap design. I might try an UltraSonic. Bauer has them on closeout for $112. If I don't like them I can always return them or flip em Sideline. @noupf It's funny you mention warrior. I have wanted to try their protective for so long now its not even funny. Too bad I never get to see them in a store.

Looking for some input on what people find to be the most protective elbow pad available. I'm currently wearing some Ultra Tacks and while they are a decent pad, I find the point of my elbow sits too deep in the pocket. A spill or bump against the boards will bruise my elbow up pretty good. Also, any input on CCM's U+ Pro pads would be appreciated.

How do know CCM and Bauer are reacting to True and not just following their intend development path? Usually reactions to competition is an obvious change to either the products themselves or how they go about marketing them. I see CCM and Bauer slowly building on what they've been doing over the past decade. In reality. True is reacting to CCM and Bauer hoping to gain market share. Multiple skate lines with multi fit options, propitiatory holders and steel and branching out into protective. That's exactly what Bauer and CCM have been doing and have done so since True entered the room. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a niche company/brand/product. In some cases allows you to better focus on your costumers wants rather than doing things that appeal to the masses.

When you compare total sales to Bauer or CCM, it's a niche skate. Some would argue CCM is a niche skate when compared to Bauer.

Meh, not sure I agree completely. I find the Benn pro, pro-stock CCM P90T and the retail CCM P90tm almost indistinguishable. There are however some subtle differences. The lie on most Benn pros and pro-stock p90t's is usually a 6 where as the 90tm retail is a 5 or 5.5, I forget. The blade on the Benn and 90t is also a slight bit shorter than a retail 90tm. I think the retail CCM P90tm has evolved slightly since being introduced. At some point between the FT3 and FT5 they tweaked the lie and moved the kink in the toe back. They still feel and play the same. I only noticed it because when I cut my first FT5 to the length of my ft3's it played short to me. I added a 1/4 inch and it was fine. If you like a good mystery, dive into the Benn pro world. 😁

I've been in 100k's since right about when they launched. Whats that, almost three years?? Anyway, I play 2-3 times a week year round. I have had zero issues with the boot or the holder. The only issue I've experienced was a broken runner which was under warranty and quickly replaced. I saw that pic too. I think it was just one of those things.

If you've ever changed a tire with a stubborn wheel nut. What the first thing you do? You put an extension on the lug wrench. Boom, it gives. The wheel nut didn't magical loosen while you were looking for an extension. You increased your leverage point by extending the handle of the lug wrench. It's the same principle just applied differently. To my other post. Companies don't have different molds for longer shafts. They use a standard shaft and add an extension. So while it does feel different it's not a different shaft.

I don't totally disagree. Though you can still find quality items. You have to look and they're generally not cheap. In some cases it's not that the quality sucks. It's that due to cost they can't use premium materials. In general, we live in a disposable world. It doesn't make sense to make something that will last 15 years if the user will only be using it for 5 or you plan to release another version in 3. There is another aspect that the normal consumer doesn't consider. Most companies are using contract manufacturers to build their products these days. You no longer have your own QC people on the production floor. It's the CM's QC people upholding a standard that's been agreed upon. It's not easy. Then there is other side where things do last, like cell phones, but they want you to upgrade every two years. Most companies don't want to produce crap, they really don't. It ruins the brand. Once you ruin the brand, you are cooked. Since we're discussing hockey equipment. Look no further than Graf. Does anyone have any faith in anything that company produces, aw hell no!

Oaf, I think it moved... *Seinfeld reference

Spent some time with the FT6 Pro stick last night. It was similar to the FT5 Pro which I liked a lot. The 6 still had that great puck feel the 5 had. I'd say a bit more pop and a slightly quicker release were the big adds. I know it's said to be lighter. I didn't notice a difference. So maybe just not enough to be noticable. Think I prefer the FT5 graphics. Though I do dig the pearl white they are using at the top even if it makes it look a bit Hyperlite esque.

Maybe, and I stress maybe, you got a ring that was mislabeled at the factory. If everything else checks out, one would have to think it's the ring. Sparx customer service is pretty good. You could give them a call and see what they say.