Easton shafts, advice needed.

[martywest 0]

I'm going to get my first shaft/blade combo, and was looking at an Easton Ultra Carbon that I saw at a Sports Authority. It felt good in my hands and was not too expensive for a first combo. I also looked at a Typhoon, but that felt a little too narrow in my hands. I also looked at an Octane, which felt pretty good, but I think the Ultra Carbon felt better. I cannot find too much info on this shaft, so if anyone who has one or has used one could please give me some info or thoughts on it, it would be appreciated. Also, one other quick question, as far as flex goes, the higher the number on the shaft means what, higher flex or lower flex? Thanks.

[pantherfan 0]

The higher the number the stiffer the stick (In easton anyway)

I have one I sometimes use outdoor, it's kinda heavy but it proboly makes up for that in toughness althought Easton slapped a 6-7 rating on wear and a 9 on a synergy :D

It seems like a decent entry level stick I prefered it to the Octane although I only used an Octane once.

[mack 44]

The higher the number on the shaft, the stiffer the stick will be. 100 is "average" but a lot of people prefer something in the ~80 range.

As far as the shafts go these are definitely entry-level shafts, but for the same price you may be able to find a higher-end shaft on eBay or on clearance from a website.

[chippa13 1844]

I'd recommend stepping up to an Ultra Light or a TPS Red Lite. They aren't that much more money and you're getting a far superior product from what you're looking at.

[martywest 0]

Actually the difference in price is big. The Ultra-Lite shaft sells for $105 sans blade, while the Ultra Carbon sells for $50 with blade.

[chippa13 1844]

Always remember, you get what you pay for.

[mack 44]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Easton-Ultra-Lite-...1QQcmdZViewItem

For the price of a blade more you can get this shaft, which in my experience has been their best model

[srv2miker 0]

I own one for outdoor play. I'd say there is nothing special about it. They are nice and cheap so you can try different blades/patterns, which is cool. Mine has been durable enough, but I haven't really used it for anything major. I don't think there is a big performance boost over a woodie, but it does let you experiment more with patterns.

[stevoc 0]

I never cared for the ultra carbon myself. It felt "tinny" to me. (kind of thin and metallic - make sense?)

I use an ultra lite for outdoor use.

Just my 2 cents, which is about all it's worth. ;)

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

For what it's worth, look in the sell section here, where I am pretty sure you will get the best deals, I have got shafts, blades, OPS, girdle and such here, all cheap, and easy (like my sister :o )

[sc37 0]

Oh really, what's her #? :P

I haven't seen any Ultra Carbons for sale whenever I shop around...but two teammates use them, and they seem happy with them. But if they are like the Octanes at all, I'd say stay away. Cause once you use something nicer, you'll realize you got suckered into buying a piece of trash essentially. I don't remember, but you might want to try the Cyclone, idk if that's tiny feeling like a Typhoon...forget. But best bet is an Ultra Lite...there's a new one for sale here for a good price in the 'sell' section.

[martywest 0]

One thing I should mention is that I am definately a newbie hockey player. I don't think an expensive stick would help me much at all at this point, which is why I didn't want to spend too much. I want a decent shaft that I can use for a while, until I'm ready to move up to something better. Any other suggestions would help. P.S., I definately want a shaft as opposed to a woodie so I can experiment with different blades and blade patterns. Thanks for the advice so far.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Check in the sell section and for the reviews. When I worked at SportsChek we had a ton of Octanes and Ultra Carbons returned for breakage on "Regular" plays. You're better off buying a used, Ultra-Lite, Redlite, M-2, V110 shaft or something along these lines from here (or ebay) than getting a weaker shaft new from a Sports store.

[DamnLocust 0]

Another idea would be to get a cut OPS that has been converted to a shaft. Ebay is a great place to find these. You can get a good cut OPS shaft for around $20-30. I've used 3 or 4 cut n flip synergies, and they perform pretty much the same as most standard shafts.

I even got a TPS tricore with 3 blades for $8 on ebay once. It cost more to ship it than the winning bid.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

At least between the Octane, Typhoon and Ultra Carbon you have your choice of either 80 or 100 flex. I'm also going to assume you won't be playing too rough as a beginner so whichever one of those shafts should last you a while. Plus they're warrantied for 30 days against manufacturer's defect.

[shute 4]

my advice for anyone who is thinking of buying an easton shaft is to not buy one. those things cost to much and break way to easy. your a lot better of going for tps shafts.

[Perry94 0]

I'm going to be honest. For that price, just get a couple of sherwood 5030's. They perform a LOT better, and since they're wood, they don't feel like absolute crap. I used to own an Ultra-Carbon. The end where the shaft goes in is so messed up. The inside looks absolutely shredded. I own a TPS redlight as well, and those things are so much better (not to mention they actually have a selection of flexes). Hell, pretty much anything is better than the UC. But at that price range, I suggest the 5030, especially if you're just starting.

[Andoy 5]

Go for the ultra-lite or TPS' Red lite. that shaft will last you years...definately worth the investment.

[Ville 0]

I've used several ultra-lights, and I'm still impressed of it's durability. It won't break in normal use (shots etc.), and it can take pretty hard slashes as well. Definately worth every single penny.

[Roach 0]

I'd recommend stepping up to an Ultra Light or a TPS Red Lite. They aren't that much more money and you're getting a far superior product from what you're looking at.

I second this! I use both shafts currently and am very pleased with them!

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I can't speak from experience for the price-point Easton shafts, but I can vouch for the top end shafts lasting under normal circumstances: my Synthesis shaft has been good for almost 3 years now and still going. As for TPS, nothing against them, but they don't have anything equiv. to a 85 flex at the retail level, either Whip or Regular (70-ish or 95-ish in Easton terms). If you're big enough to muscle the 95 flex, cool, but I find the whip flex too much to the other extreme: personal pref. obviously, but something to consider. I think for a beginner, dropping $100 on a shaft that you're not sure of the flex being right for you is too big of a first step (again just my opinion). As for performance, it's not something beginners should worry about, it might be a while till you're stable enough on your skates to develop a rocket shot anyways. The broken-OPS-as-a-shaft option works too, a broken Synergy is a make-shift Ultra-Lite.

[Hooah4 12]

One of my teammates bought an Octane and it lasted 2 periods. A slapper from the other team snapped it right in half.

Either go with woodies or step up and get an ultralight in 85 flex.

[BK 0]

Go for the ultra-lite or TPS' Red lite. that shaft will last you years...definately worth the investment.

QFT. I personally own both.

Ultralite: How CAN you break this? Its an absolute tank! The shaft feels MUCH stronger than an ST and at 100 flex, the thing has a perfect kick. I have never seen an ultralite break. In fact, one of my team mates who recommended it to me is using a brown one that is about 5 years old.

RLxn10: This is my whip stick. It doesn't feel like it has the same quality build as my UL, but still feels solid. I would think that this would break before my UL, but I would buy another one in a heartbeat just for the lightness of it.

edit (added material):

The broken-OPS-as-a-shaft option works too

My first "shaft" was an old orange synergy. The thing was a tank and I ended up giving it to my best frield as his first composite after about a years use. He still uses it today.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Most shafts would get ripped in half with a strong enough slap shot right at it, Octane or otherwise.

[BK 0]

Most shafts would get ripped in half with a strong enough slap shot right at it...

Depends on your form..

If you are hitting the ice 10 inches behind the puck, then yea.. you're going to break a shaft. If you focus on getting more power in your swing and not depending on your weight to flex the stick as much then your sticks will last a lot longer.

I used to put a lot of weight into my stick and hit the ice about 5-8 inches behind the puck. This worked OK but after switching to d, my coach had me focus more on loading the puck with my swing, hitting the ice 2-3 inches behind the puck. I feel like I have more control over my shots and my sticks aren't flexing as much. My snapshot has improved and I scored my first slapshot goal of the year last weekend.