How to Tell when a wood blade is done?

[TJM254 0]

Ive been using a sherwood 5500 blade for a while now (about a year 2-4 hours a week during the winter) and I was wondering how I would be able to tell if its dead. I almost never take a slap shot so that may be a reason why it has lasted so long for me. At my last practice it has felt a little weird with me barely feeling the puck and the blade just feeling very thin in general. Is there any way I could tell if its dead?

[malcb33 99]

Its only dead when you say it is. Personally a wood blade is dead when it looses stiffness.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Also the finish is broken on the blade bottom and the wood starts to splinter out...feels all mushy and dead.

[habsfan87 0]

you'll be able to tell, you use it enough and you will know when it turns to crap.