Blade help needed

[Baconator 0]

Hi guys,

I've only really gotten back into hockey in the last year after over 20 years off. Back when I was 13 there weren't that many choices for curves - if I recall correctly each model had a left and a right and I don't know if there was much more choice than that. The first stick I bought this year had a Spezza curve which I absolutely hate. I was too prone to send saucer passes, I had even more trouble stickhandling than normal and I couldn't do backhands to save my life. I got a Vapor V with a Hossa curve which I really like - I can raise the puck as much as I want (at least with wrist shots), backhands work and my stickhandling is as good as I could hope for given my lack of experience. This makes me wonder why the vast majority of curves out there appear to be moderate to big curves that are slightly open to really open. I don't know how people can use these things. The Hossa is slightly open, but nowhere near as extreme as most of the sticks I look at. Am I missing something? I've been playing 3-4 times a week and my Vaour is getting pretty hacked up so I don't know how much longer it'll last and I'm thinking about what to try next. I'm tempted to buy a modano, iginla or something like that, but if somebody can give me a good reason to try something a little more 'out there' I'm all ears.

While I'm at it, does anyone have any ideas for nice sticks under $100? I've got a few little ones at home and we're looking for a new house so I don't want to go completely nuts like some of the people I've seen here with serious stick addictions (although I am jealous :D ).

[kkancho 6]

I use a gaborik -- which is supposed to be neutral and I never had problems raising the puck but I think a lot of the sticks are open so players can roof the puck from right infront of the net? But that doesn't explain why the Lidstroms are so open.. erg... For some reason, I found my shots to be harder with heel/open face than a heel/closed face -- I couldn't even get the shot out with a heel/closed so the open face might be for more than lifting the puck.. I have no clue.

[Rustybender 0]

I can't use open curves either. I had one and hated it. I honestly can't figure out what the benefit of an open face would be.

Under $100? If money is an issue I'd say use wood. If you go through woodies too fast, or want better performance than wood, try a shaft/baldescombo. One piece sticks seem to be the least economical.

[Bucky25 0]

It sounds like you are really comfortable with the Hossa, so you'd probably like any of the other blades you listed, i.e. Modo, Iggy, etc. Stick with what you are comfortable with. I went out on a limb to try something different (Lidstrom) and had some issues with my passing, so I went back to an Iginla. Any time you change blades there will be an adjustment period so use it a couple times before you toss it aside.

Many companies are putting price point sticks out there, Easton Synergy 350 and Christian Medalist are a couple examples, for under $100. They are heavier than your "performance" OPS but if you're using the Vapor V you shouldn't have any issue with that. :D

[Baconator 0]

It sounds like you are really comfortable with the Hossa, so you'd probably like any of the other blades you listed, i.e.

Many companies are putting price point sticks out there, Easton Synergy 350 and Christian Medalist are a couple examples, for under $100. They are heavier than your "performance" OPS but if you're using the Vapor V you shouldn't have any issue with that. :D

Thanks for the comments, guys!

I'm still kinda curious. Since I haven't yet tried out one of the pricier sticks I don't have much of an idea what I'm missing (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I'm just wondering why the Vapor V's get such a bad rap here. I'm not trying to defend the stick as much as understand the criticisms. I certainly like it better than the wooden sticks I've tried (both sher-wood).

[Chadd 916]

Sub $100 OPS? Either a closeout Salming G1 or a Christian Medalist in the #1 pattern.

[donkey87 0]

If you want to experiment with some curves, I would suggest a shaft/blade combo. That way you can buy some cheap wood blades to try out the curves. When you find the curve you like the best then you can buy a composite blade or OPS.

[EBondo 233]

Sub $100 OPS? Either a closeout Salming G1 or a Christian Medalist in the #1 pattern.

Or a Mission M-1, you can get them sub-$100 online, and they're fantastic sticks IMO

[jjalb29 0]

It sounds like you are really comfortable with the Hossa, so you'd probably like any of the other blades you listed, i.e.

Many companies are putting price point sticks out there, Easton Synergy 350 and Christian Medalist are a couple examples, for under $100.  They are heavier than your "performance" OPS but if you're using the Vapor V you shouldn't have any issue with that.  :D

Thanks for the comments, guys!

I'm still kinda curious. Since I haven't yet tried out one of the pricier sticks I don't have much of an idea what I'm missing (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I'm just wondering why the Vapor V's get such a bad rap here. I'm not trying to defend the stick as much as understand the criticisms. I certainly like it better than the wooden sticks I've tried (both sher-wood).

I'm with ya I use to have a Vapor V. I actually stopped using it for a while while trying out the RBK 7K, Fury, Warrior. after breaking all of them, i went back to the Vapor V.

It is heavier and "performance" is not as good as the high end models, i think thats why it gets a bad rap. other than that its economical, still better than wood, and proved to be more durable than the other high end one pieces I had. How can you go wrong with that when your on a budget?

[Chadd 916]

One of the guys who played with use used to use Vapor V's. I borrowed one to try for a while and the feel wasn't even close to the more expensive models, or the offerings from some of the smaller guys.

[kovalchuk71 212]

as in bad feel?

[Chadd 916]

as in bad feel?

yes, you can hear the difference when the puck hits the blade.

[hockeyherb 1]

Dang, I just bought a Vapor VI which I haven't tried yet - am I in for the same thing? I thought I saw several positive comments about this stick before I bought it.

[Chadd 916]

Dang, I just bought a Vapor VI which I haven't tried yet - am I in for the same thing? I thought I saw several positive comments about this stick before I bought it.

They're usually pretty durable, I'm just a fanatic about feel.

[hersheybears35 0]

Many companies are putting price point sticks out there, Easton Synergy 350 and Christian Medalist are a couple examples, for under $100.

Christian has the Medalist listed in their .pdf catalog, but not on the new Harrow/Christian online store site...................I called Christian and the sticks won`t be availible until June or July..........

[ChrisGass9909 0]

Dang, I just bought a Vapor VI which I haven't tried yet - am I in for the same thing? I thought I saw several positive comments about this stick before I bought it.

ther good..................for the price