Flipping a shaft

[JGraz15 53]

I was thinking about this yesterday when I was switching a blade in a shaft. If you flip it so the graphics are upside down (not putting the blade in the opposite end) will this increase the shaft's life? The reason I was thinking this is because maybe the shaft will be flexed both ways and give it some more time? I know this wouldn't work with a shaft like a Novius, but say with an Ultra Lite? What are you thoughts?

[mack 44]

It did the trick for aluminum shafts but I don't know if its benefits are as noticeable for composites. Can't hurt to try.

[blackhawks4ever 0]

Also by flipping the shaft all those damaged spots on the mid to lower shaft from slashes will be on the bottom. It seems like a good idea, until you get beat up because they will think you ride the short bus because you blade is in wrong

[Buzz_LightBeer 973]

normally graphite doesnt warp or deflect enough for you to need to flip it over. plus i think its pertty uniform when it flexes, i dont think its necessary

[Lester8 11]

I did this with my Griplite. On the first few shots after flipping it, it kicked like it was new again. It quickly died down and felt the same both ways.

[hip check 0]

Composites remain extremely consistent throughout their lifespan. That is one of the attractions the pros have with them - every one (of the same type of stick) has the same feel. They do not decline or improve with age, but when blades or shafts do fail it is almost always catastrophic ie: explode, fall apart, fold in half, helicopter away, etc.

Flipping a shaft over should have no affect on it's lifespan, but performance of some shafts are 'hand-specific' so that is something to consider.

[blackhawks4ever 0]

But don't the "chips" in the shaft affect the integrity of the carbon fiber of the shaft increasing the risk of it breaking. I thought that this was the reason the are wrapped in Kevlar. So flipping the shaft should distribute the "chips" over twice the area, right?

[hip check 0]

Composites remain extremely consistent throughout their lifespan. That is one of the attractions the pros have with them - every one (of the same type of stick) has the same feel. They do not decline or improve with age, but when blades or shafts do fail it is almost always catastrophic ie: explode, fall apart, fold in half, helicopter away, etc.

Flipping a shaft over should have no affect on it's lifespan, but performance of some shafts are 'hand-specific' so that is something to consider.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

I don't really think it would help. It would probably be more brittle.

[flaming_june 2]

i think it would be fine... except everyone will pick on your for being different

[thunderbirds_are_go 0]

I've seen NHL guys with the graphics upside down, and they didn't seem to get beat up for it... but seriously, Calvin and Hobbs might have a good point about spreading out the chipping damage over a larger area. I usually find that I break graphite shafts when I get slashed where I already have a nick in the shaft, so flipping the shaft might reduce the chance of that happening.

[thejackal 46]

I do find that composite sometimes warp. Case in point the Ballistik shaft i have. Funny how it has a small bow in it but it just refuses to chip even though it got slashed idk how many times when i played street hockey at school. (rough stuff, i guy 2-handed me across the forearms, 3 stiches). I flipped it over but have yet to try it out.

[McCabe#1 0]

It is good to flip your shaft over when you change blades. Shafts do warp from the bending. So if you flip it over everythime you change a blade, (or give it equal time on each side, as long as its not too long) it will help the shaft from warping.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

So what about OPS then? Would this partially explain why they bust out of the blue sometimes?

[Chadd 916]

They bust because of stress or cracks, just like any other stick.

[sn1per 0]

I figure that if you get hacked a lot on the top of your stick, flip it so that the other side will take more of a beating. In the other case where you hack a lot, flip it so that the bottom of your stick takes more wear. But in either case, I don't really think that it'd make a huge difference.

[mack 44]

Yeah, that's the point that was made a few times earlier in the thread.