Replacement Blade Durability

[psh 25]

I have a broad question and a more specific question. I doesn't look like this issue has been discussed recently.

First, do you all think that OPS blades and replacement blades have become less durable? I ask because when the first Synergys came out, I used to get at least a season out of my sticks (I skate 2-3 times a week), and now they seem to be breaking down every 6 to 8 weeks. This seems bizarre, given that I'm a light winger who takes wrist shots and snap shots far more often than slap shots.

Second, has anybody come across a line of synthetic blades that impresses them, considering performance and durability together? My problem is this: within a few games, my blades tend to get chipped up on the end, and then they delaminate, or they just start cracking along the face and go mushy. In the past two years, I've had several Synergys (both the standards and the Si Cores) and Bauer Vapor XXXs all fail on me. In all that time, only one shaft has failed on me. After getting fed up, I went to a shaft and Easton CNT blades. Same chipping and degrading issues. This is getting expensive. I've tried wood, which seems to hold up better, but it really throws the balance of the stick off (lately I've been using a Redlite XN10 shaft).

I'd really appreciate anybody's comments--especially on blades for standard shafts, which is what I'm using now. FYI, I like fairly run of the mill patterns--Iginla, Modano/Forsberg. Sometimes the Sakic.

Thanks.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Busch is making replacement blades now called the Silver or something like that. Busch has always been durable and great puck feel. Not sure of the weight of the blade though.

Also, not sure how easy it'd be to get your hands on some.

[TBLfan 25]

ccm makes some pretty durable blades, well at least it seems like it from my experiences.

P.S. It's tough finding a blade that doesn't weigh enough to throw off the balance on a redlite shaft, it weighs next to nothing.

[psh 25]

Many thanks, TBL and OO. Anybody else have any thoughts?

[Hooah4 12]

My Vector 120 blade lasted 3 games. The end chipped and then it slowly crumbled from the inside out. Tried epoxy, etc... but no luck. Went back to wood.

[CTHockey 2]

I give all my customers this simple advice when buying a OPS or blade. I tell them that their simply paying for the technology and not a unbreakable stick or blade. Just because your paying 175 + for a stick doesnt mean its going to last you forever. Heck, ive had plenty of wood sticks last me a lot longer then OPS. During college i would break one about once a week or they would become so broken down and mushy that i had to throw it away. Companies spend millions and millions of dollers researching and developing these stick i would of thought by now they would of come up with a stronger more durable blade.But the way i look at it is when you add durability you loose a lot of the feel in the blade. The Easton ST is a great stick but you definitely loose a little bit of feel on the puck with that stick. These companies are making millions and millions of dollars on these sticks, so if you look at it from their point of view they have no reason to change in fact the only thing i see them doing in the future is making the warranty return harder which will only make their profits rise even more! If we can send people to the moon i dont think its too hard to develope a stick that can take a beating and still have feel to it.

[DEATHTRON 19]

Those prostock mission blades off hockeymonkey are good. I just ordered 6 more....doubt Ill get that many though. The CNT blades are trash, I cant stand how long they last, I shredded mine in no time. They felt good and were super light on the pro side of things.

Zach

[DavisP 0]

Try warriors or innovatives if you can find them. They come in the patterns you said that you liked and they're durable while still being light. I used an innovative in my rlxn10 for about a year and had no balance issues. That combo shot like a one piece too.

[nicksmission14 0]

I ordered some mission pro-stock blades to try.. Can't wait to try them out.

[TBLfan 25]

yeah, i love my mission pro stock blades

[psh 25]

Hey, thanks for all the replies. Sounds like Mission and Warrior are the way to go. I'll give those a shot.

Thanks again for the feedback, and have good skates over the holidays!

psh

[MLSman 22]

I have had some quick break experiences with the OPS myself, so I went back to the two piece and I am quite happy.

I stick to Easton Ultra Lite shaft (85 flex) because it has been the most durable for me. I have been able to get a good season+ out of them sinse they first came out.

Blades always vary for me. I have had luck with the two CNT Forsberg blades this winter (have used the same two blades on the same two shafts sinse September) playing about 3 times a week. In the past I have not been so lucky. This summer I shattered 3 of them, so I was hesitant after shelling out $150 on blades in 3 months.

[marc_9 0]

i had a vector v120 and the blade deteriorated and shredded completly in 2 months and it went soft. how ever the shaft was a tank it took many two handers with out chipping or denting.