Wood sticks becoming obsolete?

[Aussie Joe 0]

A guy in my club just started playing about 6 mths ago. He rocked up on his 1st ever training session with a Stealth. I told him the best way to learn was with a woodie and that the extra weight in particular will help build the minute muscles in his arms and shoulders that you puckhandle and shoot with.

He still uses the Stealth but knows he truely won't improve in the way or speed that he wants to.

I know If I decide to breed and have a son he'll be using a woodie for a very long time before he EARNS a shaft/blade combo, little though an OPS.

[KBO25 0]

I go through phases, but, for now I'm off the OPS bandwagon.

I stocked up on Sherwood 7000's and 5030's in the Havlat pattern for next year.

I don't shop online, so I'm limited to what I can get locally, and no one carries OPS in patterns/flex that I want.

I have a couple of 2 piece sticks I use too.

I have a Griplite and a recently purchaced Sick Kick shaft. Whenever I find a blade, tapered or standard in a pattern I like, I buy it.

But, next year I'll be using almost strictly wood.

It's not a saving money thing, because a wood stick gets relegated to "pond" duty after about 3-games(tops) for me.

And those Sherwoods are $27-$30 a piece.

[Hooah4 12]

Ewww, I hate those 'OPS-look' wood sticks. I have a real cheapo one that Sher-Wood made, and it's just shameful to look at in my stick wardrobe. It was in my beloved Bourque pattern though, so I would have bought it if it had "I am a homosexual" written on it in neon pink.

I believe the One60 is selling well. It looks like a OPS. Too bad they don't last long (5-6 games for me).

[Jarick 5]

Here's another problem.

I've found TWO One60's over the last six months shopping at a dozen stores. TWO. One was a righty junior, the other was a lefty senior. It's fairly obvious to me that there must not be much of a market for decent wood sticks because you can't find any.

I can throw a dead cat and hit a Coffey 5030, but if I want a wood stick with a Modano on it, I'm S.O.L. That was a big part of why I tried OPS, to get a curve that wasn't a fish hook.

I do think that shaft-blades are the best of both worlds though...

[providencebadboy21 0]

that's funny, because before I switched to a one-piece around february of this season I was buying one60's by the dozen in New England. Different strokes I guess. for the sake of the post, I will say that for next year's college season I'm gonna rock shaft/wood blade. love the light weight and shooting of an OPS, but nothing quite handles like wood.

[mrusse01 0]

I've found that wood sticks aren't really that cheap of an option when you consider how long they last. I just stopped using wood sticks for anything other than road hockey a long time ago simply because within 2-3 games they would always be broken to some degree. When you look at the upper end Easton Ulta-Light woodies they cost like $35 here in Canada, and for the price of three or four of those you can find a high end OPS if you know where to look (i.e ebay, pro returns at your LHS).

[Griff 2]

I've found that if you're willing to stock nice wood sticks like the one60 they'll sell, you just have to have the stock that people want. Random question for anyone who might know why are sher-wood 5030's so much more than the easton classic and bauer one40 they're the same effing stick?

[BK 0]

I've found that if you're willing to stock nice wood sticks like the one60 they'll sell, you just have to have the stock that people want. Random question for anyone who might know why are sher-wood 5030's so much more than the easton classic and bauer one40 they're the same effing stick?

How are they the same stick? Even with the same model of wood stick, each one is unique. Build quality is different, materials used are different, the shape is different, the patterns are different.. even the types of wood used are different from model to model..

I have used a 5030 just for the sake of the feel. I loved it until I snapped it in half. The stick costed me $30 and was worth every penny. I have used a KOHO woody, easton ultralite woodie and a few odds and ends back in my younger days that I don't remember.. Each one was VERY.

[iceangel 0]

lightest wood stick is nbh 0ne60

[Griff 2]

I've found that if you're willing to stock nice wood sticks like the one60 they'll sell, you just have to have the stock that people want. Random question for anyone who might know why are sher-wood 5030's so much more than the easton classic and bauer one40 they're the same effing stick?

How are they the same stick? Even with the same model of wood stick, each one is unique. Build quality is different, materials used are different, the shape is different, the patterns are different.. even the types of wood used are different from model to model..

I have used a 5030 just for the sake of the feel. I loved it until I snapped it in half. The stick costed me $30 and was worth every penny. I have used a KOHO woody, easton ultralite woodie and a few odds and ends back in my younger days that I don't remember.. Each one was VERY.

What I'm saying is that the materials aren't different they all have an aspen core with birch laminate and and ash blade. The question is if they're all made with the same materials why is one brand so much more than the others?

[Go Pio's 0]

While I'm more of a sit back and read ModSquad member, I think I'll chime in on this one...

There's no question that wood stick popularity has declined over the years, however it is unlikely that they will ever become obsolete. As long as there are men's leaguers, beginners, and people who simply like the performance (like myself), there will always be a market for wood.

Wood sticks are not for everyone. They are for people who are willing to give their sticks a little extra attention. For example, if you are a player who has no idea what lie you use and never re-tape your stick, wood is not right for you. To get the most out of a wood stick, you have to know your lie (this will avoid blowouts at the heel or toe) and take care of your stick (remove your tape after a game so moisture does not get trapped and dryout the blade).

Wood often gets a bad wrap because it's antiquated, but nothing beats the feel of a puck on a wood blade. Remember, some of the best players in history who still hold records today used wood their entire career.

[bombit 0]

While I'm more of a sit back and read ModSquad member, I think I'll chime in on this one...

There's no question that wood stick popularity has declined over the years, however it is unlikely that they will ever become obsolete. As long as there are men's leaguers, beginners, and people who simply like the performance (like myself), there will always be a market for wood.

Wood sticks are not for everyone. They are for people who are willing to give their sticks a little extra attention. For example, if you are a player who has no idea what lie you use and never re-tape your stick, wood is not right for you. To get the most out of a wood stick, you have to know your lie (this will avoid blowouts at the heel or toe) and take care of your stick (remove your tape after a game so moisture does not get trapped and dryout the blade).

Wood often gets a bad wrap because it's antiquated, but nothing beats the feel of a puck on a wood blade. Remember, some of the best players in history who still hold records today used wood their entire career.

Great post, pretty much echoes how I feel on wood sticks. I don't currently use a wood stick, but I know many who still do and you simply cannot beat the puck feel.