one piece or shaft/blade?

[martywest 0]

As a relatively new hockey player, I'm not quite sure what I want in a stick yet. I've looked at composites and shaft/blade combo's. Can anybody give me some opinions on the pro's and con's of both. Is they any energy loss during a shot with a shaft/blade set up as opposed to a one piece?

[SickLife 2]

if you don't know what you want in a stick yet, you probably don't know what you want in a curve yet, & you should get a shaft & find a blade you like before you invest in an OPS.

[martywest 0]

Actually, I'm pretty much set on a blade preference. I just want to know the advantages and disadvantages to each stick type.

[chippa13 1844]

Do some searching. There are all kinds of topics about this.

[ssgtbb 0]

Use a woody. Best thing you can do for yourself if you are a new player. Cheap and they have the best puck feel and it will get you started on the right foot. Having an expensive stick will not make the differance between a 1 goal season and 100 goal season.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Combos are more flexible and cost effective unless the OPS is pretty cheap (i.e. less than the price of a replacement blade). I wouldn't worry about performance as a beginner, just get the right flex and you should be set for a while.

[martywest 0]

Is there advantage to a composite shaft/ wood blade over an all wood stick?

[Tyler B 0]

Is there advantage to a composite shaft/ wood blade over an all wood stick?

youll have a more consitant flext with a composite shaft than a wood shaft. And as allready said the wood stick will have better feel.

[Muzza_77 0]

It maybe lighter.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Is there advantage to a composite shaft/ wood blade over an all wood stick?

Depending on your weight, height, strength, preference, etc., it's generally easier to get the correct flex for you from a composite shaft. Many wood sticks are quite stiff and moreso if you cut several inches off. It's also easier to lengthen a shaft with a butt end so you can experiment.

[DamnLocust 0]

Most "one piece" sticks are actually fused two piece (tapered) sticks. These OPS perform the same as their tapered combo counterparts. (ex. Easton Synergy SL/ Synergy II; Warrior Dolomite OPS/ shaft-blade combo; TPS Response Armor/TPS R2Armor the list goes on and on). "True" OPS are generally the most expensive ones (Vapor XXX-Lite, Warrior Mac Daddy) The performance of these are actually quite similar to the fused sticks, although they may be a touch lighter than a fused stick. I have a Vapor XX (fused combo) and a Vapor XXX (true OPS) in the same flex and curve. Other than the slight difference in weight, the performance is nearly identical.

My suggestion would be to start out with a shaft-blade combo. Standard combo would probably be the way to go, since you probably won't get the full benefit from a tapered combo or OPS just yet. Blades are also more readily available, and cheaper.

[srv2miker 0]

I would have to agree with everyone else and suggest a shaft/blade combo. Even if you are set on your blade pattern, the combo gives you the opportunity to experiment inexpensively. As well, using a wood blade gives you good puck feel that a composite blade lacks. And lets be honest, there is definately something to be said for buying replacement blades instead of entire new sticks when the blade cracks.

[bugscoe 2]

I would recommend the shaft-balde combo as well!

I used to buy the one piece sticks but just about everyone of them has broken on me in a pretty short time. And my sticks always broke at the blade or near the fuse point to the shaft. So I figured I would be much better off money wise to make the switch. I cannot tell a difference performance wise either.

Also, my two piece seems way more durable than the one piece.

[Sid 3]

I would recomend a two piece. With a OPS you always take a gamble if the blade is right for you. With a two peice you can experiment with different blades to get it right and save some money.