Standard vs Tapered Blades

[Jason Harris 31]

I didn't quite find this in a search.

I realize that MSH is a limited cross section of the hockey market, but I'm trying to determine the size of each market. I've had retailers tell me they don't sell many tapered blades, then I've had players say they want to buy tapered but they aren't readily available.

This is relevant to me because our Evo blades are only going to be in tapered hosels this year. I'm wondering whether we're overlooking what still remains a large segment (standard blades) of the market? Or is the demand for tapered blades larger than some retailers realize?

For those of you who use two-pieces, what are your opinions?

[ambro 0]

I have 7 2-piece combos. 5 of them are tapered, 2 are standard. Most people on my team though either have an OPS or a std. shaft/blade combo. I would offer both if I were you.

[althoma1 575]

I have a bunch of standard shafts I use for rollerhockey (use clearance OPS's for ice) as I can't bring myself to destroy an OPS blade on cement and there are cheap ABS blades available with standard hosels. I did buy a Salming tapered shaft along with the socks and G1 OPS stick on clearance in Toronto (one of those weekends in December) and while I've used the socks and the G1 I haven't used the tapered shaft yet because I couldn't find any tapered blades at a reasonable price....while I'll spend up to $100 for a shaft or $100 for an OPS I can't see myself spending more than $30 for a blade and all the tapered blades I've seen in Toronto are $50 plus...the ones online aren't really cheaper when you factor in shipping costs. I did pickup 3 Christian wood ones on ebay for like $40 (for all three..not each), but the hosel seems to be a bit large to fit the TF1 tapered shaft and I haven't got around to filing them down yet. If I could find tapered blades locally for $30 or less I'd buy them - right now they aren't readily available and I they're expensive when you do find them.

[HkyVictor 0]

The only reason I buy tapered is becasue i buy ops and replace the blade when it breaks with a tapered one... but i feel the same goes for my team... all ops except two standard shaft/blade combos and one woodie

[warrior37 0]

if i could find some t-flex style comp tapered or hell even wood i eat the taper up, the shorties on the market make my sticks too short for personal preference

[HeatleyJr. 0]

i use tapered, i had a std. a few years ago and then got an R2 a year alter and have used tapered since. i use the R2, synthesis and L2 and also have a t felx. I think they are awesome and would never use anything else.

[cobrAA 0]

i prefer a HIGHER kick point than a lower(tapered)

[Miserable 6]

Tapered only. I would love more options in a tapered wood blade.

[Bauer_freAK 0]

i prefer a HIGHER kick point than a lower(tapered)

:D

put a standard blade in the other end of a tapered shaft..

you'll get the highest kickpoint ever! :D :D

[McCabe24 0]

Haven't used tapered since my Synthesis combo two years ago, only two piece combo I have now is an Ultra Lite with a Z Carbon. If I did use tapered though I would like to see a decent wood blade available for cheap.

[Bauer_freAK 0]

If I did use tapered though I would like to see a decent wood blade available for cheap.

Word.....

That's why I'm going with standards...

No tapered Lidstrom Wood :/

[A_Steeves12 0]

half and half for me. but i say i like tapered more just becuase its more convinent(sp?). right now i have an xn10 shatf with tapered blade also a xx shaft that has a tapered in also.

[zingbergeur 0]

I voted for standard(but only because tapered not available) but the real reason is price. I buy up cheap standard wood blades all the time for $4 or so a piece and have a hard time spending 10 times that amount for a tapered blade. There isn't such a disparity in shaft prices, but there sure is a big gap between blades.

[Chadd 916]

I can feel a performance difference between the standard and tapered shafts that I have used so I have been using tapered shafts or OPS for a long time. In fact, I haven't regularly used a standard shaft in close to two years. The biggest problem I see is that OPS technology is advancing faster than retail tapered combos. Over the long run the combos are more economical for me than OPS as I rarely break shafts and generally seem to wear out blades.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I buy both, but prefer tapered shafts/blades. I'm more of an OPS guy as they are cheaper than buying the shaft/blade combos since nobody's come out with a top of the line shaft since the R2 Xn10. Tapereds are nice for broken OPS and I usually only use standards I get for free.

[saba 0]

Tapered only. I would love more options in a tapered wood blade

ditto more wood choices please

[ChrisGass9909 0]

i used to have an l2 and i loved it wish i would have never sold it still dont kno why i did no ops has ever compared to my l2

[cobrAA 0]

i prefer a HIGHER kick point than a lower(tapered)

:D

put a standard blade in the other end of a tapered shaft..

you'll get the highest kickpoint ever! :D :D

your right lol...i already did it once lol... actually what i don't like is tapered blade but i do like the whole idea of tapered shaft...

What I WOULD LIKE: a tapered shaft with a tapered blade but LONG HOSEL(not like inno,longer.)