OPS Sticks Going "Dead"?

[phillipsa 0]

I am going back to my Vapor XXXX stick but it sounds funny when I tap it on the ground. There are no cracks and the blade isn't soft, but a buddy of mine said that the stick is dead (his XXXX makes a wholesome thud). Can sticks "die" kind of like baseball bats can?

[greech 4]

If you've got a plug in the top, it could be just glue from that. If it hasn't lost it's 'pop,' why not still use it?

[lampliter87 8]

Easily a piece of glue, rosin, carbon fibre, etc. rattling around inside the stick. Take the end cap off, tip 'er upside down, and something will fall out (might take a little coaxing to get out). Stick is still good to use.

[Keith 0]

It is probably a piece of debris, but if the performance has slipped a lot, it is on its way out. I had a couple of inno 1100s that lost their kick like flipping off a lightswitch and then the shafts snapped around the kickpoint.

[ntwusc 62]

I had that issue with a CNT about a month ago, and it was a big chunk of resin that had broken off inside the stick. A hole formed in the heel right after that, but the two issues probably weren't related...

[epstud74 24]

It is probably a piece of debris, but if the performance has slipped a lot, it is on its way out. I had a couple of inno 1100s that lost their kick like flipping off a lightswitch and then the shafts snapped around the kickpoint.

I love those sticks

[crazy-luke-finch 0]

the rattling has happened in every OPS that ive owned and it has always been glue. As lampliter87 said, Take the end cap off, tip the stick upside down, and something will fall out the end.

[coryroth24 15]

Glad someone asked the question before I did. I just noticed the same thing on my XXXX last week when I was taping it. Good to know it's not dead... yet.

[phillipsa 0]

I used the stick today and it felt okay. not as good as it used to, but usable. I do not use a butt end in it so nothing is in the shaft, but I am thinking that the foam inside the blade may be cracked?

[Rustpot 1]

I used the stick today and it felt okay. not as good as it used to, but usable. I do not use a butt end in it so nothing is in the shaft, but I am thinking that the foam inside the blade may be cracked?

Also a possibility. When playing you'll hear a different sound on older blades (more used older, not age) when catching a pass or rapping them on the ice. More than likely they've delaminated somewhat or begun to break down. Still good to use, but you'll notice less and less responsiveness out of it.