Blades for Easton Z-Bubble

[thefelixculpa 0]

Hello, I have recently purchased my first ever composite shaft. I've been using 1-piece wood sticks my entire life, so I really have no clue what I am doing when it comes to shopping for sticks like these.

I have the shaft, now I need a blade. I read the reviews over in the Equipment reviews section and they all say that the Easton Z-Carbon is the blade to use with this shaft. However, when I came over here and searched the Z-Carbon, I found threads that said this blade is not very durable and will break on me.

So I am asking, are there any blades other than the Z-Carbon that someone could recommend to me for use with the Z-Bubble? I need a blade light enough so that it does not feel too blade heavy, and that is durable. I am trying to stay around 40-50 dollars for a blade.

thank you for your time.

[KYHockey3 0]

are you looking for wood or composite?

i like the feel of some wood blades, the proble is that they usually weigh quite a bit!

i would have reccomended the z-carbon blade though

[cougarscaptain87 13]

are you fimilar with what curve you like? if so then see if the warrior blades interest you. if your not set on the curve i would start with a wood and go from there, you can shape wood blades by heating them, sanding them and what not. its all personal but since i got back to wood blades i love em, and you can get 3 wood blades for the price of a composite.

[Rustpot 1]

My buddy has a Z-bubble and using the Wood Pro ($15 blade) doesn't make it too horribly blade heavy.

Go to your hockey shop and look at Mission, Easton ST, CCM, RBK and Bauer composite blades

[hockeydoc 0]

The Easton Z-Carbon is probably the best you can get, depending on what you are after. It has way out lasted anything wood I've used, making the cost at least comparable. Way out performs wood, as I see the greatest benifit of going composite being weight and response.

I've heard that TPS blades are quite durable but at some cost in other areas.

What is your primary objective? That will help address the answer.

[TBLfan 25]

I'm using a CNT Z-carbon blade in one of my flyweights right now... I really like it, I've only used it a few times so I can't comment on durability.

[thefelixculpa 0]

The Easton Z-Carbon is probably the best you can get, depending on what you are after. It has way out lasted anything wood I've used, making the cost at least comparable. Way out performs wood, as I see the greatest benifit of going composite being weight and response.

I've heard that TPS blades are quite durable but at some cost in other areas.

What is your primary objective? That will help address the answer.

I am actually going to be using this for roller hockey, however because it really is considered an Ice Hockey stick, I posted this in the ice hockey section.

I play on an indoor sportcourt surface with a puck as well as an outdoor rink that has a synthetic surface that is just as smooth and blade friendly as indoor surfaces. That league uses a ball.

My main objective is to find a blade that Handles the puck/ball well and just feels good I guess...I don't know enough about blades to say exactly what I am looking for. I have been a user of the Koho crossover 1piece stick for a long time and I like the shape of the blade that comes on that. I think it is the Koho 2260 Crossover C21...would anyone happen to know what curve is most identical to that blade's curve?

[#28 0]

are you fimilar with what curve you like? if so then see if the warrior blades interest you. if your not set on the curve i would start with a wood and go from there, you can shape wood blades by heating them, sanding them and what not. its all personal but since i got back to wood blades i love em, and you can get 3 wood blades for the price of a composite.

I would avoid using a Warrior blade in a Z-Bubble. I tried an AK27 standard blade in my Z-Bubble and the shaft broke in less than 5 minutes of use. The tennon of the Warrior blade was too short and put too much stress on the shaft when it flexed. My shaft broke off flush with the top of the tennon. The Warrior blades are great, but I think they are better off in a Warrior shaft.

[nicksmission14 0]

While it's pot luck on the curve... I really like the Composite Mission Pro Stock Blades that Hockey Monkey carries. I found the thread on this site and decided to give them a shot. The blade descriptions they have are pretty accurate, Blades have a decent feel and appear to be pretty strong I really like them.

[cobrAA 0]

i've broke 2 z-carbon in 3 year! and i'm playing 4x a week.

i just think some people here, can't skate and just slash other guys.

[B-Nads 0]

For a reasonably inexpensive composite blade, I would highly suggest the NBH V2 - they cost around $35, are not too heavy, and have pretty good durability - the one I have in my AK27 has easily outlast the Z-Carbon I had in my UL. Another worth consideration is the Ballistik C45 - I was going to suggest the AK27, but i was not aware of the shorter hosel causeing shaft issues. Not to thread-jack, but do they have that affect on the AK27 shafts as well?

[TBLfan 25]

As far as I know, no. It seems to be a warrior/innovative blade in an easton shaft thing.

[thefelixculpa 0]

thanks for all the input. I am probably going to end up buying an easton ultralite as well since I have some extra money laying around I wasn't expecting to have. I'll put the z-carbon in one and the Vapor 2 in the ultra lite and see how i like em both.

[#28 0]

For a reasonably inexpensive composite blade, I would highly suggest the NBH V2 - they cost around $35, are not too heavy, and have pretty good durability - the one I have in my AK27 has easily outlast the Z-Carbon I had in my UL. Another worth consideration is the Ballistik C45 - I was going to suggest the AK27, but i was not aware of the shorter hosel causeing shaft issues. Not to thread-jack, but do they have that affect on the AK27 shafts as well?

No, I think they are just bad in Z-Bubbles because of the way the Z-Bubble is tapered and then flares out to accept a standard blade. Im sure the AK 27 would work fine in an ultralite or any other standard shaft that has no taper.