RBK 9k O-Tech Stick (pics added by JR)

[gtoddh 0]

all i can think about now is kids who break this stick cant turn it into a 2 pieec with a tapered blade

Very good point.

I wonder how many people buy sticks anticipating they may eventually end up as shaft/blade combos. Probably not too many. Especially for kids who's parents are still buying their equipment.

"Mom (or Dad), my stick broke, I need a new one."

How many non-hockey-playing parents are even going to know it's possible to either remove the blade from a fused OPS, or cut the OPS to allow a blade to be inserted? Clever kids would likely be able to talk their parents out of that possibility were it even to be brought up.

[Quintin 16]

Thanks JR for another standup delivery!

Wonder how the holes would affect the flex of the stick. Same, whippier or stiffer?

[Docter Pepper 0]

all i can think about now is kids who break this stick cant turn it into a 2 pieec with a tapered blade

No way, you just turn it upside down and then you get some fingerholes too

[Neal 41]

all i can think about now is kids who break this stick cant turn it into a 2 pieec with a tapered blade

No way, you just turn it upside down and then you get some fingerholes too

Beyond that, hmm, inventive idea, this stick was originally offered as a shaft according to some of the posters in this thread. Plus it sure looks to me like there is room below the holes for a tapered blade's hosel.

[Miserable 6]

I could see how this would actually make it a stronger shaft. Adding the holes actually adds support to the shaft with all of the cross material making up the holes. Without the holes there, that portion of the shaft would be hollow and technically not that strong.

My only concern as others have stated is turning this stick into a shaft if the blade breaks. That's not the biggest concern for me when buying a stick but it's a consideration that plays a part in my purchase.

[jjtt99 0]

Quick! Someone go home and drill holes in a woody to see if it helps the performance!

I'm guessing drilling a woodie wouldn't work, but this is an interesting idea. Good to see RBK competing with Nike on the equipment innovation front. The kids like it (and buy) while old farts like me sit on the sidelines and watch with interest but avoid the bleeding edge like the plague.

What do you guys think it will retail for?

[LkptTiger 1]

all i can think about now is kids who break this stick cant turn it into a 2 pieec with a tapered blade

interesting, i never even thought of that. i doubt that will affect how well it sells.

Looks like the holes are high enough on the shaft that one would be able to get a tapered blade in there - although there may or may not be some foam and what-not to clear-out for the tenon. I would imagine it would compromise the strength of the lower shaft, though.

What do you guys think it will retail for?

Someone earlier said somewhere in the $250-$300 range. Whether this is or is not true, only time will tell. As I said earlier, if it really does perform that much better than the sticks I will be using at the time of release, I might have to bite the bullet and buy a couple.

[Edge 0]

Actually that looks pretty similar to what I was imagining...Im curious about the warranty that is going to be offered with it.

[Alias81 0]

Thanks JR for another standup delivery!

Wonder how the holes would affect the flex of the stick. Same, whippier or stiffer?

It'd be the same flexes I'd guess, looks interesting I personnaly really like the idea, congrats to RBK for having the balls to do something so different. :)

[EBondo 233]

First picture of it in action

[phshockey53 0]

that looks pretty cool. i MIGHT consider getting one if it is indeed the greatest performing stick made to date, but with getting 2 SE's soon, and knowing that all sticks will eventually break, $250-300 is a little much for me right now. if any of you guys pick one up, let me know what you think

[nazzy19 0]

I think the holes should be in the blade so your follow through is quicker and theres less drag on your slapper. =)

[Patrick67 1]

what about the shaft?

Thought there was mentioned something about some college team, in one of the ealier replys, that used the OPS and blackouted shafts?

[Docter Pepper 0]

I think the holes should be in the blade so your follow through is quicker and theres less drag on your slapper. =)

unless you tape your blade, in which case drag will be the same

[Nick23 0]

What about the inconsistent flex in the taper, because i cant see how the portions with the holes will flex like a normal part of a tapered shaft. Seems like it would only flex on the portions between the holes.

[marc_9 0]

edit: oops just realized there was a topic on this

[Jonesie98 0]

It's actually a University team up here.Concordia U in Montreal is the RBK/CCM test team,they get all the gear before anyone and use it and beat it up,When I saw the 9K back in Oct,they were all numbered on the bottom with the different batch's each player had a different batch # .That way they could see what works and what doesn't. As for the "dots" there not a graphic,there actually dimples in the shaft right there,they just made it into the colour scheme and design.

[Cannon12 0]

And when it breaks, you could hang all your gear from it.

[TBLfan 25]

What about the inconsistent flex in the taper, because i cant see how the portions with the holes will flex like a normal part of a tapered shaft. Seems like it would only flex on the portions between the holes.

I was kinda thinking about that too, but if you look at the holes they go from large to smaller and back to larger. I presume that's the low flex point and that they measured it to flex a certain way.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

I think the holes should be in the blade so your follow through is quicker and theres less drag on your slapper. =)

unless you tape your blade, in which case drag will be the same

not necessarily, drag is mass dependent. but, at any rate, drag is negligible in hockey sticks. Even if it wasnt negligible, it would help you, as it would pull the blade back farther, giving more of the catapulting effect.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

What about the inconsistent flex in the taper, because i cant see how the portions with the holes will flex like a normal part of a tapered shaft. Seems like it would only flex on the portions between the holes.

I was kinda thinking about that too, but if you look at the holes they go from large to smaller and back to larger. I presume that's the low flex point and that they measured it to flex a certain way.

That's a good point. I was wondering the same thing. How would that affect the performance? Would it flex the most near the middle of the hole pattern (say between the 4th and 5th holes from the bottom of the shaft)?

[Chadd 916]

I think the holes should be in the blade so your follow through is quicker and theres less drag on your slapper. =)

unless you tape your blade, in which case drag will be the same

not necessarily, drag is mass dependent. but, at any rate, drag is negligible in hockey sticks. Even if it wasnt negligible, it would help you, as it would pull the blade back farther, giving more of the catapulting effect.

Drag caused by air resistance would be dependent on surface area, not mass. That said, I do agree that drag is a negligible factor in shooting.

[Drewhunz 3]

Hey Chadd, I think JR is the only one that can bring back that word. B)

[Chadd 916]

Hey Chadd, I think JR is the only one that can bring back that word. B)

Don't want to piss off Wanda Sykes. Someone is going to get pickle farker for a title next time they piss me off.

[hockechamp14 0]

Honestly, who says "hey let's put some holes in hockey sticks..."

I wonder if it was laughed out of the room the first time it was brought up.