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EBondo

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

By EBondo, in Ice Hockey Equipment

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usahockey22    0

usahockey22
Posted

Well I know at a lot of D1 schools the teams just get a supply of sticks for the season, and if they go through more than is allotted, they pay for more...I don't know if D3 has equipment sponsors, probably not, but most of those kids have plenty of money to throw around...my cousin being one of them, and he is one person I've heard from about the ops used on his team.

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kornsined    0

kornsined
Posted

Then the technology must work in a OPS, whether or not they get them for FREE. If a woody was better, then all pros would use woodies, since they are also FREE. Why should you bother to buy RBK 9K Pump skates or Pro Tacks skates if the RBK 5K Pump skates or CCM 652 skates do the same job? If there is a benefit to pro model skates and you pay for it, why not pay for a OPS, which also provides a benefit?

How much have you used a OPS? And how old is that Easton T-flex shaft you are using?

Yea, but would all the NHLers still use the OPS if they had to shell out 200 each time they broke one? Skates are one thing, to me, that is worth spending a lot of money on...because if you play competitively, you need good skates. Good skates are a solid investment, and should last at least a year, or many. I know a lot of top college players who stopped using those one pieces because of the cost...

Anyway, I do admit, I haven't spent a lot of time using one, so maybe if I ever do I could change my mind if they really make that much of a difference. Some people say that they break all the time (I heard some of the synergys are terrible about breaking), and others say that they last long enough to be worth the price of however many cheap sticks they would buy. But I haven't yet decided to drop 200 on a stick and give it a real evaluation..

You should borrow a teammates OPS for a practice. It's not something you can adjust to right away. Once you adjust and learn the OPS's charateristics you'll probably see what all the hoopla is about.

Woodies are too inconsistent. Like mentioned above, they lose flex and slowly fall apart. I used to chew through my wood blades. Once I went composite I've never broken a blade or stick from wear.

I even switched to my old Carter T-flex and T-flex composite blade and couldn't stand it compared to the original Synergy. The balance, weight, and consistency is unparalleled IMO. Although no one says your gonna be an allstar.

Best part of OPS is that they're getting better each year and eventually will match wood sticks for feel.

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echi24    1

echi24
Posted

this may be redundant, but i find that too many younger players are choosing their sticks based on what looks regardless of the curve and flex. i think its essential that you find a curve and flex that you can work with first, because only then will you be able to get the advantages of a one-piece. i see too many people judging sticks of different curves, and i think that its only fair to judge a stick when you are using a consistent curve and flex (or at least relatively similar)

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Rustpot    1

Rustpot
Posted

this may be redundant, but i find that too many younger players are choosing their sticks based on what looks regardless of the curve and flex. i think its essential that you find a curve and flex that you can work with first, because only then will you be able to get the advantages of a one-piece. i see too many people judging sticks of different curves, and i think that its only fair to judge a stick when you are using a consistent curve and flex (or at least relatively similar)

I still laugh when I'm at my LHS and there are little kids running around with their moms/dads and the parents buy them 2 or 3 $120 OPS... If you're 3'2" and can barely skate... do you really need pro-level stuff?

I can see buying a kid a shaft/blade combo since you're spending $75 on a junior combo and the blades are cheaper.

I know the benefits of composite or OPS, but when do you really justify the cost for performance? Midget? Bantam? Squirt?!?

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Chadd    916

Chadd
Posted

this may be redundant, but i find that too many younger players are choosing their sticks based on what looks regardless of the curve and flex. i think its essential that you find a curve and flex that you can work with first, because only then will you be able to get the advantages of a one-piece. i see too many people judging sticks of different curves, and i think that its only fair to judge a stick when you are using a consistent curve and flex (or at least relatively similar)

Finding the correct lie is the most important thing, then stiffness and curve.

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TBLfan    25

TBLfan
Posted

this may be redundant, but i find that too many younger players are choosing their sticks based on what looks regardless of the curve and flex. i think its essential that you find a curve and flex that you can work with first, because only then will you be able to get the advantages of a one-piece. i see too many people judging sticks of different curves, and i think that its only fair to judge a stick when you are using a consistent curve and flex (or at least relatively similar)

I still laugh when I'm at my LHS and there are little kids running around with their moms/dads and the parents buy them 2 or 3 $120 OPS... If you're 3'2" and can barely skate... do you really need pro-level stuff?

I can see buying a kid a shaft/blade combo since you're spending $75 on a junior combo and the blades are cheaper.

I know the benefits of composite or OPS, but when do you really justify the cost for performance? Midget? Bantam? Squirt?!?

I coach an adult beginner team and most of them don't get $120-200 sticks. I've told them exactly what I said earlier in this thread; it's not going to make you better, but it doesn't hurt. Don't feel bad about spoiling yourself sometimes.

The only thing that I have had trouble with is getting them to use smaller curves.

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HkY_GuY    2

HkY_GuY
Posted

my guess is the science or benefits behind the holes is less air resistence so technicaly harder slapshot also how the energy is absorbe and released from the shaft. if this any good and revolutionary we will see many players using them lets wait and see.

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frankie56    0

frankie56
Posted

The holes do little for air resistance. The back of the blade would need to be shaped like a golf wood to do that. I suspect it has more to do with strength and sales pitch.

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