Tapered shafts and wood blades

[Fivehole101 0]

I am tired of cracking and fraying my OPS blades, and I like the feel of wood so much better. So I am going to make the move to this combo. My problem is that I can't seem to find a well balanced stick. I am considering a warrior Dolo 2 with a vapor XXXX wood blade. How balanced would this be? Or should I look into slightly heavier shafts? Thanks in advance!

[regularjoe 1]

I am tired of cracking and fraying my OPS blades, and I like the feel of wood so much better. So I am going to make the move to this combo. My problem is that I can't seem to find a well balanced stick. I am considering a warrior Dolo 2 with a vapor XXXX wood blade. How balanced would this be? Or should I look into slightly heavier shafts? Thanks in advance!

I've used the combo and haven't been thrown off by the balance when compared to a standard composite two piece set up.

However, word of warning: wood will go "soft" even with care and feeding (remove tape after every use and with stick wax) so you will be changing out wood blades at a higher frequency than a comp blade.

This is based on my experience and others have had this as well.

[trained_seal 0]

Well, if you don't like cracked or fraying blades then I might stay away from wood. Wood cracks much quicker than composite blades. That being said I use wood blades and I do agree they have much better feel than composites. It will be difficult to get a truly balanced shaft and wood blade. The easiest way would be to match up brands and lines (i.e. Vapor XXX lite shaft and Vapor XXX lite wood blade) however that does always work for everyone. Your combo sounds pretty good, it will be light and pretty balanced as far as woods go. Just be prepared for a twinge of blade heavyness no matter which way you go.

[mxihockey 0]

huge thread on this already. Search brought up many topics...

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...aft++wood+blade

[Fivehole101 0]

Well, if you don't like cracked or fraying blades then I might stay away from wood. Wood cracks much quicker than composite blades. That being said I use wood blades and I do agree they have much better feel than composites. It will be difficult to get a truly balanced shaft and wood blade. The easiest way would be to match up brands and lines (i.e. Vapor XXX lite shaft and Vapor XXX lite wood blade) however that does always work for everyone. Your combo sounds pretty good, it will be light and pretty balanced as far as woods go. Just be prepared for a twinge of blade heavyness no matter which way you go.

All I mean by cracked and frayed blades are that since they are in a OPS, there is nothing that can be done about it.

[legiahockey 3]

well than why not go composite blade two piece? i had a few wood blades and went through them quick. not worth it in my opinion. but to each his own

[ZINC 8]

I ended up doing the same transition as you did. LOVE the feel of the wood blade when catching passes. I've found that a Christian t-6 euro tapered wood blade and a Sickick shaft are a match made in heaven. Plus I can finally get a curve that I like since I just bend my own now.

[psh 25]

I gave up on comp. blades about a year ago and will never go back. Comp seems to last about twice and long, but given the price and the better feel with wood, I think wood is totally the way to go.

I use a Sherwood Comp shaft (not sure what the current version of this is) and the Sherwood 950 long hosel tapered blade. Since the shaft is a little heavy, the balance is perfect for me.

[Fivehole101 0]

my only concern is balance. I don't know if the dolomite is too light for wood blades to balance out well. Are their any other tapered shafts that would balance well with a wood blade? I am also considering christian blades, how are they as far as weight, stiffness and durability?

Does anyone know the weight of an SE?

[Jarick 5]

Only way I'd go back to wood is if I can find a tapered Montreal Euro blade. Not so much for the curve as the material.

Dolomites are actually a bit heavier than other shafts and would balance well unless you like them blade-heavy.

My Christian wood blade was very thin and flexible and didn't hold up well. My Christian composite blade had excellent durability (still going strong after several months) and has a very wood-like feel to it.

[ZINC 8]

My Christian wood blade was very thin and flexible and didn't hold up well.

This. Their blades IMO feel and work great, perfectly balanced (at lest when used w/ a 7k/sickick) and are light. But They only last me about 4 games per blade at most. I ended up just custom ordering them from Christian through my LHS so its not a huge deal for me anymore, but I can see that being a big drawback for some.

[Abbieshockey20 1]

I'm thinking about moving to a shaft/wood blade combo, but I'm kind of worried about spending $20+ per blade and how long they'll last. I also can't decide between tapered or standard, anyway we'll see if it works out.

[Jarick 5]

I guess I'm lucky that I find composite blades very durable and prefer the feel of the stiffest and thinnest composite blades I can find.

But not all composite blades are created equal. I've found the Bauer Vapor XX blade I had chipped and cracked fairly easily. The Eastons I've had all seem to wear and crack at the heel somewhat easily. The Christian tapered blades went a little soft but no chips or cracks. And the Dolomite blade I'm using now had a few splinters come off the heel but otherwise looks and feels brand new.