AmoriZep

Product: Vapor XXXX, Left, 102 flex, PM9/Malkin Pattern Time of Use: 1 month, 2-3 times a week 26 y/o, 5'9", 195...Roller for 17 years, ice 1 year (will never go back to roller) Stick-handling/receiving passes: IMHO by far the best features of the stick thus far. Stick-handling and puck feel are INCREDIBLE. Other OPS that i have used in the past are Vapor VII, Vapor XXX, One90, and SWD RM5, and this stick TROUNCES them all. I've felt in the past that i would lose the puck as a result of the lack of feel on the other OPS i have used, especially some of the lower end ones. However, this is the first OPS that i have TOTAL confidence in feel for the puck...OUTRAGEOUS! Receiving passes is AMAZING with this stick as well. I feel like regardless of how hard the pass that i'm receiving is, the blade allow for a little more "give" when catching passes. The feel is there, but in no way does the feel make it seem as though the stiffness of the blade is compromised. it is NOT. Just phenomenal all around. 10/10 for both categories Shooting: I am primarily a wrist shot taker. The stick definitely isn't the best i've handled in terms of the so-called "pop" you should get from a thin taper and such a low kick point on wrist shots. HOWEVER, i do believe that is directly related to the flex of the stick. IMO, the 102 feels stiffer than any other 102 i've used. In comparison to the Vapor XXX's i've had in a 102, it feels stiffer. So i would probably want to try the XXXX in an 87 flex. All of this said, while the "pop" may not necessarily be there on wrist shots, i don't feel like my velocity is compromised so much that i would stop using the stick or that i don't feel comfortable. Slappers and snappers feel fine with the XXXX, and it feels like i get good velocity on those shot types. 8/10 Weight and balance: the weight of the stick is absolutely fine. It is certainly not as light as the Vapor XXX, and i feel like i prefer that a bit. I loved the XXX's that i used, but felt that the stick maybe felt too light at times. The XXXX is perfect in regards to weight for me. Balance seems to feel fine on this stick. Very comparative to the other Vapor models i've used. the XXXX feels pretty even to me, but i should note that i use a bit of a larger handle than most people i've seen with taped grips, and also add a rather large butt end to the stick in order to better control poke checking (something i've always had since i was a kid). 10/10 for both Durability: seems FANTASTICALLY durable. although i'm not sure i can really give a full review of this yet because i've only had the stick for a month, as compared to a Vapor XXX which lasted me 5 months before it snapped (RIP :(). That said, the XXXX feels like it will probably give me more time than my XXX's have. (no rating based on time) Conclusion: I am certainly loving this stick so far. As i've mentioned above, in regards to puck feel, stick-handling and pass accepting, this stick is BY A LONG-SHOT the best i've ever used. I certainly feel like my wrist shot isn't EXACTLY where i want it to be from a velocity perspective, but again, i feel i would need to go with a lower flex. I would DEFINITELY buy another XXXX, but the next time, i'll be buying it in a 87 flex. 9/10 CHEERS! EDIT: as noted in 1 of the other threads, i found a deal on an 87 flex that i could NOT pass up. FANTASTIC. even better than the 102 in regards to shooting. I'm definitely getting that extra flex, and as a result "pop" on the wrister....awesome! so in buying this stick, i'd say check out the flexes and see if your normal flex would be right for you, or if you should tone down.

UPDATE (all others the same) gloves: Vapor XXXX shins: Supreme 30 sticks: Vapor XXXX (PM9, 102 Flex)

yup :)

Those vapor XXX's are sick. Did you get them online or at a LHS? I had one like that (with the red) XXX's, cant remember the curve pattern, but i snapped it the first time on the ice. :( Ebay.... that sucks about snapping it :( yeah....they're Team Canada pro stock.....they say "Team Canada" on the shaft closer to the blade.....cool stuff....even for an American ;).....i may have to cover the flag with a Rangers sticker or something

got a couple of Vapor XXX pro stock Redden (photos are from the listing...haven't taken my own since they came).......sweet curve....close to a cross between the PM9 and the P91a....about a 5 lie....

helmet: Bauer 5000 with Cage gloves: Vapor X skates: Vapor XX Shoulders: Bauer Supreme 30 elbows: Bauer Supreme 30 shins: Mission Fuel 75 pants: CCM Supra's (older...don't remember the model but they're great) sticks: Vapor XXX-lite (P91), Vapor VIII (P88) i'm sort of a Bauer/Vapor fan