kjcjhockey

2012 Warrior DT1 Personal Specs 6'1" 220lbs RW Jr. and College Experience Timeframe: 40-50 hours Aesthetics: Warrior has toned down the overall graphics and 'flashiness' seen on many previous models. The black and white color scheme is subtle and quite conservative. 10/10 Weight/balance: The DT1, like many other sticks in this price range, is extremely light. With their 'True 1' technology they've figured out a way to create an ideal balance not found in many of the fused OPS's. Given how light the stick is, if it was blade heavy you'd know instantly. 10/10 Performance: This is where I've seen the most improvement vs the Widow. With the flex point lower on the stick my shots seems to load and release far quicker and easier than with older Warrior models. I'm finding that even with a stiff flex my snap shots are crisp and clean. Slap shots are solid as always. True to Warrior's claims, the stick flexes like a bow, at the hands and bottom. It takes a few shots/passes to get used to, but once you figure out how to take advantage of this the stick really shines. 9/10 Puck handling: If there was one complaint I have with this stick it's with the 'pop' or 'crispy' nature of the blade. At times firm passes are difficult to control because they seem to bounce off the blade. I've adjusted and have found this problem easy to overcome. The 'out of box' first time experience can be frustrating initially if you're not prepared. 7/10 Durability: Durability has been typical of a Warrior. I'm no longer worried each time a take a one-timer that my stick is going to snap. Both my Easton RS's snapped on one-timers after a few games. I've never been easy on sticks given my size and style of game, however the DT1 has stood strong. The blade hasn't split or fade, and thus far there are no cracks. In my opinion one of the most important aspects of a stick that is expected to hold up is it's ability to maintain it's proper flex. I've found over and over that my sticks that last more than three months lose their flex and become to whippy. (My friends know that too and love my hand-me-downs). Thus far I haven't felt the stick go soft. The flex has stayed consistent which is a huge plus. The paint on the graphics, like all sticks, chips and flakes after a few games, but in my opinion that is to be expected. 9/10 Conclusion: Overall I'm very excited about the DT1. Warrior is so confident we the consumers will love it they've offered the 30 day unconditional guarantee If you don't like it, you can return it. I figured that if a company is willing to invest this much into their brand something great must be going on. It was a risk I was willing to take and I've been a very happy customer. Take note of one item, the stick comes 63", one to two inches longer than most sticks. As a taller player I was happy about this, however pay attention to your preferred flex if you'll be cutting the stick down more than normal. Overall Score: 9/10