short hosel standard blades/shafts

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Is everyone in the stick industry adopting short-hosel standard blades as the new standard? As discussed in the 2007 catalog thread, Easton looks to be on board now with the (yellow) ST blade. Are there any benefits to the stick makers in going this route? e.g. Are manufacturers trying to phase out tapered shafts/blades to streamline the amount of products that they have to produce and support?

[philatangy 0]

Good question, I would like to know the answer to this one too...

[TBLfan 25]

it seems like it. Everyone is in on the low kickpoint bandwagon so it seems like it's starting to become more of the norm.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I don't want to think conspiracy theory but it seems like a way for stick makers to get people to buy new shafts. I just hope they don't phase out tapered shafts/blades, then I'd be stuck with a bunch of "useless" shafts.

Just curious for those folk in Canada, have your LHS slowed or stopped carrying shafts/blades in favor of OPS? One shop in my area is now OPS-only except for some leftover blades that can't sell. Another shop seems to be going that way, and the few who still sell shafts don't have many new blades stocked (they're special order).

[TBLfan 25]

tapered shafts/blades are getting more popular, I doubt they'd phase them out anytime soon.

[Chadd 916]

With some of the low end OPS prices dropping under $75 US, a lot of people are jumping to OPS instead of paying $50 for a new composite blade.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I was tempted to do that several months ago when I saw an old int. Nike Apollo OPS on clearance for $99 CDN. My Synergy II/Synthesis blades cost $89 as it is when I can find them... I'm guessing the stores here that dropped shafts make more money selling OPS than selling replacement blades.

Ok, how about the store workers/owners on this board: are shafts gaining or losing popularity where you work? i.e. are sales of shafts/blades going down? And OPS sales going up?

[thejackal 46]

short hosel standard blades aren't a new thing though. a few years back that's all THC made in terms of their better blades.

[D aka speck 0]

I see a bit of a trend shifting towards stores stocking OPS's and blades.

Most one-pieces are two pieces molded together anyway.

If the OPS breaks in the taper, they replace the blade.

The people I deal with aren't stocking a lot of shafts anymore.

[the iceman 132]

Didn't Mission make a short hoseled tapered blade before Easton? I think it was called the 'Flyweight' or something like that.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yeah, something like that. lol

[the iceman 132]

I remembered something about a fly or a roach. No it was a fly; I think the roach is Warrior's new 2 pc combo (the 'roach' blade with the 'clip' shaft).

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

It's the Flyweight.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

short hosel standard blades aren't a new thing though. a few years back that's all THC made in terms of their better blades.

True... Ballistik has been making short hosel standard blades for a while and still are.

I see a bit of a trend shifting towards stores stocking OPS's and blades.

Most one-pieces are two pieces molded together anyway.

If the OPS breaks in the taper, they replace the blade.

The people I deal with aren't stocking a lot of shafts anymore.

I'm just curious why Easton has introduced short hosel blades now if not for "performance" reasons. At first I was thinking the move to shorter hosels meant to deter people from just cutting an OPS broken at the blade, flipping it upside down and adding a standard blade to keep using the shaft, it'd be shorter stick... and for some it would be too much work whittling down a wooden butt end to fit. But then I thought if someone's going to the trouble of perserving the OPS shaft, they're going to add the butt end anyways. It's not the first time Easton has tried to stop people from using an OPS as a shaft when they added more material higher up the "tenon" on their OPS. I could be completely wrong though and there might be a totally different reason for Easton going this direction.

Does anyone know if Warrior going short hosel as well for '07?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Warrior's tenons were always shorter, but did not have a defined length.

[The Stranger 0]

I see a bit of a trend shifting towards stores stocking OPS's and blades.

Most one-pieces are two pieces molded together anyway.

If the OPS breaks in the taper, they replace the blade.

The people I deal with aren't stocking a lot of shafts anymore.

This is exactly the reason I don't understand why there is a market for OPS to begin with. But hey, what do I know.

[DamnLocust 0]

Maybe i'm thinking too simply here, but perhaps they're going shorter just to save on materials, especially if they had no intention of lengthening their shafts from the beginning (easton). Sure 3" of carbon isn't much, but when you produce thousands of blades a year, it adds up.

[D aka speck 0]

Maybe people are trying to avoid the "some assembly required" issue. LOL

I suppose there's pros & cons either way.

Ultimately, the market shifts toward whatever is selling due to either profits or manufacturing demands (or both).

[TBLfan 25]

that and maybe they are considering starting to sell composite end plugs. So if you need that extra 3" you'll end up paying them more for it.

[D aka speck 0]

that and maybe they are considering starting to sell composite end plugs. So if you need that extra 3" you'll end up paying them more for it.

Let's hope not!!! :)

I say... well who cares what I say, but, make all sticks 5" longer and add a whippier flex to the senior lineup. That way it equalizes out when it's cut down but still offers taller players options. Sadly, there is no industry standard and possibly warranty issues with bigger players getting softer sticks. Again, MY OPINION!!!

[DamnLocust 0]

Dwayne, that's pretty much what's going on.

Bauer and warrior both have 75 flex seniors (and TPS has Whip), and easton's '07 line was supposed to include 75 flex sticks as well. (I haven't seen the catalog or any of the sticks in person to confirm.)RBK/CCM, Warrior, and NBH OPS dont have butt ends, neither do RBK/CCM and I believe NBH's new shafts. Easton's moving into no butt ends for OPS as well, and word is they may be lengthening their shafts.

[D aka speck 0]

Dwayne, that's pretty much what's going on.

Bauer and warrior both have 75 flex seniors (and TPS has Whip), and easton's '07 line was supposed to include 75 flex sticks as well. (I haven't seen the catalog or any of the sticks in person to confirm.)RBK/CCM, Warrior, and NBH OPS dont have butt ends, neither do RBK/CCM and I believe NBH's new shafts. Easton's moving into no butt ends for OPS as well, and word is they may be lengthening their shafts.

Thank you Damnlocust.

Finally... someone that agrees with me! Regardless of engineers and book-keepers.