Should i get a whippier shaft?

[swede 50]

I have a salming shaft (100flex) with a easton hybrid blade. The shaft feels soft when i flex it, but when i'm skating and take slapshots, it feels stiff like a iron bar. It's the same problem with my Vector 8 OPS stiff flex..

I would like to buy a whippier shaft, but the thing is -I weigh about 240lbs, benchpress 425lbs and everyone keeps telling me that i should buy the stiffest shaft available, and that i would snap a softer shaft like a toothpick.

My slappers has decent speed (94mph), but the feel is terrible and metalish.

I have played hockey since 1993 so i dont think there is any technique problems. I never had this kind of problems with wood sticks..

I want to buy a whippier shaft, but how durable will it be?

[dix0r 0]

94 MPH slapper = pretty damn fast.

theoretically, wouldn't a flexier stick actually be more durable...? rather than flexing to a certain point and then snapping, it should continue to flex.

if you can't notice the shaft flexing at all when you shoot, i'd try a slightly whippier shaft. like TPS regular flex. 85 flex in easton might be too big of a jump i'd think?

[swede 50]

Sure i can feel that the shaft is flexing a bit, but i dont like the stiff feel.. With wood sticks i've allways gone with XX-stiff bauers but the 100flex composite shafts feels stiffer in a different way..

Man, im probably stronger than any NHL player in the upper body, but still a 100flex feels to stiff :P

I really must be doing something wrong

[irbenaid 0]

I would try it. If 100 is too much then try something in the 85 range. If you want a great feeling shaft I would recommend going with TPS. If the blade you are using is a standard balde then go with the Redlite Xn10 shaft. I know Epuck has them for about $89.

I use the whip flex, but I don't know if you would want to go that far. The regular flex would probably do it for you. It can't hurt to try something different if the stiff flex doesn't feel right.

[hockeydoc 0]

94 MPH slapper = pretty damn fast.

theoretically, wouldn't a flexier stick actually be more durable...? rather than flexing to a certain point and then snapping, it should continue to flex.

if you can't notice the shaft flexing at all when you shoot, i'd try a slightly whippier shaft. like TPS regular flex. 85 flex in easton might be too big of a jump i'd think?

***I agree. I am 165lbs and don't bench anything worth mentioning, but I've snapped easton Z-bubbles 110 & 100 flex. I have never snapped a TPS whip though, and most usually use Easton Intermediates now w/ no problems. I would recommend more flex, and think breaking them won't be an issue. If concerned you can't go wrong with TPS as most of them are tanks. If wood worked well then you should be fine, I broken every wood I've ever used.

[Sid 3]

I am 6'3 195lbs and have been experimanting with different flexes. I have 300 (80-85)and up to 220 (110). So far the best has been a 260 (90-95). I found while the 300 gave me a killer slaphot my wristshot was below average and snapshot were bad. I think this had to do with technique but still found the 260 made things even for all shots. If you can try for something in the 90 range.

Sid

[swede 50]

hmm... my LHS has TPS genesis (regular flex) shafts in stock. Might try one of those before going on to more expensive shafts..

Big thank's guys!

[kornsined 0]

do your hands hurt at all after a game? I found with 100flex mine always hurt.

[fatwabbit 93]

I started out using mid flex shafts when I first played... then moved to a 100 flex about a year after that. Didnt really notice much difference, but when I started to really get into the background of hockey equipment, I started dropping on the flex ... from a 100 to a 85, and now on 75 (intermediate). I always get teased for using an intermediate stick, esp since I'm about 6ft tall and about 210lbs. But the 75 flex gives me a pretty decent slapper, and a really fast snap and wrist shot.

[TBLfan 25]

In my opinion you should probably try a lower flex just to fit in a comfort zone. I would try a 90-100 flex or something close to that before trying something lower. Personally, I use a 110 flex because I've got extremely strong hands and am just an all around strong guy(like yourself) but I'm also comfortable with shooting... But I still wonder if it can be better.

When I started skating out I used an 85 flex but it would bend more than that Lecavalier picture that was posted. I figure that you'd probably be in the same boat since we have similar size and builds. It was at the point where the shaft started getting hairline cracks where the blade inserts, I presume from the tension on the flexible shaft to the extremely stiff hosel of the blade.

[Patrick67 1]

Is that what the hairline cracks are from?

I've got the hairline cracks on most of my shafts (all 100flex) after extended use.

[Chadd 916]

In my opinion you should probably try a lower flex just to fit in a comfort zone. I would try a 90-100 flex or something close to that before trying something lower. Personally, I use a 110 flex because I've got extremely strong hands and am just an all around strong guy(like yourself) but I'm also comfortable with shooting... But I still wonder if it can be better.

When I started skating out I used an 85 flex but it would bend more than that Lecavalier picture that was posted. I figure that you'd probably be in the same boat since we have similar size and builds. It was at the point where the shaft started getting hairline cracks where the blade inserts, I presume from the tension on the flexible shaft to the extremely stiff hosel of the blade.

If you put less pressure down into the ice, your sticks wouldn't have been cracking like that.

[TBLfan 25]

In my opinion you should probably try a lower flex just to fit in a comfort zone. I would try a 90-100 flex or something close to that before trying something lower. Personally, I use a 110 flex because I've got extremely strong hands and am just an all around strong guy(like yourself) but I'm also comfortable with shooting... But I still wonder if it can be better.

When I started skating out I used an 85 flex but it would bend more than that Lecavalier picture that was posted. I figure that you'd probably be in the same boat since we have similar size and builds. It was at the point where the shaft started getting hairline cracks where the blade inserts, I presume from the tension on the flexible shaft to the extremely stiff hosel of the blade.

If you put less pressure down into the ice, your sticks wouldn't have been cracking like that.

Ever since I moved up in stick stiffness I haven't had the problem and my shots are harder and more accurate. I really don't think that my form has changed but it's possible.

[Chadd 916]

Ever since I moved up in stick stiffness I haven't had the problem and my shots are harder and more accurate. I really don't think that my form has changed but it's possible.

You found a stiffness that fits your form. Most people go that route rather than change their form to fit a flex.

[kornsined 0]

wow my mac daddy 75 flex is gonna take a bit to adjust. flexes really easy.

[zinNergy 0]

Damn I wish my LHS carried 75 flex Macs I had to get an 85 and I don't like it much, but it's going to break soon, so I might try to get a whip Xn10 if they have any left at the hockey shop.

50 posts...wooo... too bad I dont care Im just mentioning it cause I can.

[halfmoonyote 0]

I started out using mid flex shafts when I first played... then moved to a 100 flex about a year after that. Didnt really notice much difference, but when I started to really get into the background of hockey equipment, I started dropping on the flex ... from a 100 to a 85, and now on 75 (intermediate). I always get teased for using an intermediate stick, esp since I'm about 6ft tall and about 210lbs. But the 75 flex gives me a pretty decent slapper, and a really fast snap and wrist shot.

Did some researching, and glad I found this post/thread.

I didn't want to admit it to anyone, but all weekend I've been playing with a CCM V110 (intermediate) 75 flex (Lecavalier pattern) stick and I loved it! I bought it at a steal on closeout - $40usd, so what the hell? I'm 5'10, 185, and normally I use regular and sometimes stiff flex.

Anyway, my point is, glad I'm not alone in having tried this experiment. I have another game tomorrow night, and I'm going to use it for the 3rd day in a row to see if I want to buy another one. I really like the whippiness of the stick, and oddly enough I can feel the puck more than I ever have.

EDIT: I am guessing at the 75flex, as it's rated as 30kp.

[Cavs019 710]

why do people think stiffer = more durable. What is easier to snap, a wet noodle or a pencil??

[MLSman 22]

why do people think stiffer = more durable. What is easier to snap, a wet noodle or a pencil??

Great point. I always try to explain to people the properties of carbon. Thinner carbon will bend, and return to its shape. Too much bend and "snap". Thicker or denser carbon will have less of a flex point...so "snap" comes easier as force is applied to the shaft. If you don't have the upper body strength of an olympic weightlifter, velosity of a shot comes mostly from the transfer of body weight and the carbon returning back to its original shape....what we call flex or whip. Flex point is also part of the velosity.

As fatwabbit described, lowering the flex may affect the velosity of the slapshot a little, but your wrister and snapper will see more velosity.

[DMBeer41 0]

why do people think stiffer = more durable. What is easier to snap, a wet noodle or a pencil??

Great point. I always try to explain to people the properties of carbon. Thinner carbon will bend, and return to its shape. Too much bend and "snap". Thicker or denser carbon will have less of a flex point...so "snap" comes easier as force is applied to the shaft. If you don't have the upper body strength of an olympic weightlifter, velosity of a shot comes mostly from the transfer of body weight and the carbon returning back to its original shape....what we call flex or whip. Flex point is also part of the velosity.

As fatwabbit described, lowering the flex may affect the velosity of the slapshot a little, but your wrister and snapper will see more velosity.

I noticed this firdst hand as I just switched to an 85 flex (TPS response plus) from a 100 flex and my slapper has gotten worse, but my wrist shot is a rocket now. I bought a 100 flex stick (rbk 5K) for the times I play defense and need more umph on my slapper.

A teammate of mine just got a bauer stick with an 87 flex. It felt really good, maybe look into that one. I think it was a bauer Endure, or something like that.

[Patrick67 1]

On the topic of flex....

Is there a industry standard when it comes to measureing flex?

I.E. when a Easton shaft and a Mission shaft are listed as "100flex" but are different lenghts (say 50' and 53'), does that mean the uncut shafts are 100flex, or is there a indutry standard like e.g.: if both shafts are cut to 50' they would be 100flex.

Reason I'm thinking about this is because some companies like CCM make longer shafts than others, so you can't just buy a shaft in a certain flex, but have to take into consideration the lenght of the shaft versus the lenght you use and how much it then will be cut down versus a shorter shaft (like a warrior) that might need a endplug instead.

So if I switch my shaft with another shaft that has a different lenght it's almost impossible to get the same exact flex, because cut down to the same lenght it will have a different flex rating.

Heard Bauer has started writing flex-lines different places along their sticks now so you can see what the flex will be when you cut it down to your prefered height, that way it's easier to find a stick (or brand) that has your desired flex rating in your desired height.

So the sum it up I actually have 2 questions.

1: Is there a industry standard or not?

2: Do you guy's think eventually all sticks will have the flex-lines?

[Chadd 916]

On the topic of flex....

Is there a industry standard when it comes to measureing flex?

I.E. when a Easton shaft and a Mission shaft are listed as "100flex" but are different lenghts (say 50' and 53'), does that mean the uncut shafts are 100flex, or is there a indutry standard like e.g.: if both shafts are cut to 50' they would be 100flex.

Reason I'm thinking about this is because some companies like CCM make longer shafts than others, so you can't just buy a shaft in a certain flex, but have to take into consideration the lenght of the shaft versus the lenght you use and how much it then will be cut down versus a shorter shaft (like a warrior) that might need a endplug instead.

So if I switch my shaft with another shaft that has a different lenght it's almost impossible to get the same exact flex, because cut down to the same lenght it will have a different flex rating.

Heard Bauer has started writing flex-lines different places along their sticks now so you can see what the flex will be when you cut it down to your prefered height, that way it's easier to find a stick that has your desired flex rating in your desired height.

So the sum it up I actually have 2 questions.

1: Is there a industry standard or not?

2: Do you guy's think eventually all sticks will have the flex-lines?

Flex for most shafts is measured by pressing down in the middle of the shaft, Joe from Oggie has a neat little machine that does that. With tapered shafts, the pressure should be at the bottom and not in the middle. The taper creates an area where the flex is concentrated. Doesn't it make more sense to measure that area and not in the middle? That's also why a 100 flex standard shaft should feel stiffer than a 100 flex tapered shaft.

[fudizzledogg 0]

i'm 5'8ish 145 lbs and i use an 85 flex and its perfect... i can't imagine someone of your stature using the same flex as a little guy such as myself...stick with it and try to alter your shooting method a tad...make small adjustments and see what happens

o and if your shot really is 94 i wouldn't worry too much

[sammy89 0]

ya i second that if ur slapper is 94 mph i would change one thing and u definately should keep using the stick hey its workin right

[Cavs019 710]

Try a TPS or CCM regular flex. They generally fall around the 95-90 mark and should be a bit more responsive on your follow through.