Finding the right blade lie

[stick9 904]

I'm hoping that finding the right blade lie is more then just trial an error. At 5 foot 9 it feels like I need a lower lie then what I am using right now. Both my Warrior Starskie (Smyth pattern) and my Vapor XXX-lite shaft with a CCM Lemieux wood blade seem to high for me.

To make matters worse I have a very low stance. Can I make up for this by shortening my stick? Could that itself be the problem? I usually cut my sticks about a half inch below my nose when in street shoes.

[jeffw 1]

Unfortunately it's pretty much personal preference/trial & error. There are guidelines like up to your nose or chin but in the end it's up to you. I play with a guy who's stick barely makes it up to his chest & it works for him.

If you like the length of your stick but find the blade worn more on the heel or toe then adjust the lie accordingly.Shortening your stick will give it a more toe down angle, lengthening will do the opposite.

One thing I've done this summer is bought a cheap used shaft & cheap wood end plugs & wood blades to try different lengths, patterns & lies.

[odp 0]

Well, there is the Black Beauty Lie Detector. However, not everybody marks their lies the same.

http://www.bbsticks.com/liedetector.htm

[Spreedizzle 1]

Best bet....have a friend with a digital camera, or video camera take a picture of you while you are skating and stickhandling.....if you can see more than 1" of space between the toe of the blade and the ice surface, you need a lower lie. Give it a shot...it worked great for me in finding the perfect lie for my game.