How much do wood blades flex

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I just started using a shaft/wood combo and I can flex my blade a pretty decent amount with my hands. I've only used it for 5 or 6 ice times and thers not that much wrong with it visually. The laminate isn't cracked or anything anywhere, but I only tape about 1/3 of the blade at the toe end so I dont know if that has anytthing to do with it. It is a Louisville XX and it says pro stock on the blade, but i dont really think it is cause its a decal/label type thing on the backhand face of the blade. But how much should it wiggle for me? Its not loose in the shaft, I can actually torque on the blade.

[thejackal 46]

It's normal. I can bend any wood blades with my hands

[BK 0]

It's normal. I can bend any wood blades with my hands

What kind of blades do you use, or what kind of steroids are you on :)

I usually replace my blades when I can flex them with my hands.. but then again, im a wimp :(

[thejackal 46]

Right now I use Sherwood SOP 950s. They're nice, got 1 dud but I'm loving the other one. Stiff for wood blades but still bendable. Somewhat similar to cheaper comp blades with abs cores. In terms of stiffness I've noticed the following

abs< retail wood< pro/custom wood< solid core comp (lower end ones and ccm vector)< foam core comp <pre-preg and inno

about the steroids thing, thx, im flattered.

[Overtime 0]

not all wood blades are like that ( to start with ) but of course water is wood's biggest enemy so therefore caused it to go soft. There is not much you can do but next time try taping and finish off with some wax and like chadd always says remove the tape as soon as you get off the ice, That is the best way to keep your blade stiff.

[Chadd 916]

The "pro stock" are now called Omega. They're a regular retail model and very similar to teh R2 wood blades. They seem to get soft faster than most other blades for me but they don't seem to break because of it.

[smaile9 0]

Does taking the wet tape off your blade only effect your wooden blades or should i do this with my compesite blades?

[Nick23 0]

I would have thought if you keep trying to bend it eventually that will weaken it!

[Chadd 916]

Does taking the wet tape off your blade only effect your wooden blades or should i do this with my compesite blades?

It really only makes a difference on wood blades and it really does make a difference. The key is to take the tape off as soon as you are off the ice.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

what about only taping the toe half of my blade? And like I said it doesnt look like the plastic coating laminate stuff (whatever its real name is called?) looks to be pretty intact, but water still goes through it?

[hurricane 0]

too! Much! :P

[zingbergeur 0]

Does taking the wet tape off your blade only effect your wooden blades or should i do this with my compesite blades?

It really only makes a difference on wood blades and it really does make a difference. The key is to take the tape off as soon as you are off the ice.

What about wood blades that have a nice coat of paint? I have some painted blades that seem to keep the water out a little better than non-painted blades, but maybe it's all in my head.

[Chadd 916]

Does taking the wet tape off your blade only effect your wooden blades or should i do this with my compesite blades?

It really only makes a difference on wood blades and it really does make a difference. The key is to take the tape off as soon as you are off the ice.

What about wood blades that have a nice coat of paint? I have some painted blades that seem to keep the water out a little better than non-painted blades, but maybe it's all in my head.

It seemed to make a difference on my Christian wood blades and they were all painted black.