Shaft / Blade combo's

[lkool 1]

What is the difference between a tapered and non tapered shaft?

What should a person consider when matching a blade to a shaft?

[cptjeff 0]

Tapered blades have a narrower tenon and a shorter hosel. Tapered shafts are made to fit them. Standard shafts are made to fit standard blades.

Tapered shafts will feel almost exactly like a OPS.

As for matching a blade to a shaft, each company will make a corresponding tapered blade for it's tapered shaft, and often several standard blades for it's standard shaft or shafts.

You consider the features and quality of a blade- for example, the easton S15 blade has a focus flex zone that will lower the kickpoint and make it feel more like a tapered setup. That will feel different from the ST blade, made for durability.

Tapered setups are usually top end, which means higher prices. Standard setups will offer you a wider variety of options and price-points.

[epstud74 24]

My standard One95 shaft/blade combo has IMO outperformed my tapered shafts.. I do keep 2 OPS One95 P14s but I'm getting rid of my tapered shafts and blades.. I also like the AK 27 with the One95 blade as well...

But I've narrowed it down to this

One95 OPS w/P14 and P92 blades

One 95 shaft/P92 blade combo

I love my TPS XN10 chrome OPS sticks as well, but I'm not a fan of the blades.

[calixguy18 8]

I've wondered this myself. It seems like the non-tapered shafts are more popular while tapered OPS are also the most popular. For instance, why does Bauer only make a non-tapered version of their top of the line OPS (One95)?

[cptjeff 0]

I've wondered this myself. It seems like the non-tapered shafts are more popular while tapered OPS are also the most popular. For instance, why does Bauer only make a non-tapered version of their top of the line OPS (One95)?

Same reason easton does. So they can have a top end standard shaft to sell along with a top end tapered shaft for the people who like the feel and versatility of the standard setup that's top quality.

While I love tapered setups, there are a lot more blade options with a standard setup.

And as for popularity? The people who like a tapered setup are probalby just splurging for OPS and ignoring the shaft option.

[Leafsrule16 5]

I recently picked up a few standard shafts, i love the feel with a wooden blade that im getting.

[Jarick 5]

A lot of tapered blade sales probably go to OPS where the blade was broken and cut off.

[calixguy18 8]

I've wondered this myself. It seems like the non-tapered shafts are more popular while tapered OPS are also the most popular. For instance, why does Bauer only make a non-tapered version of their top of the line OPS (One95)?

Same reason easton does. So they can have a top end standard shaft to sell along with a top end tapered shaft for the people who like the feel and versatility of the standard setup that's top quality.

While I love tapered setups, there are a lot more blade options with a standard setup.

And as for popularity? The people who like a tapered setup are probalby just splurging for OPS and ignoring the shaft option.

Easton has a top of the line standard as well as tapered shaft. Unless I'm mistaken, Bauer only has a top of the line standard shaft.

I've noticed more standard blade options as well, that's why I'm wondering. If tapered is so much better, why aren't there as many options (or more) options?

[interpathway 9]

A lot of tapered blade sales probably go to OPS where the blade was broken and cut off.

I'd reckon that over 80% of tapered blades are sold for this reason. Tapered shafts are getting harder and harder to find around here (give us a break it's Maryland).

[IniNew 53]

I've wondered this myself. It seems like the non-tapered shafts are more popular while tapered OPS are also the most popular. For instance, why does Bauer only make a non-tapered version of their top of the line OPS (One95)?

Same reason easton does. So they can have a top end standard shaft to sell along with a top end tapered shaft for the people who like the feel and versatility of the standard setup that's top quality.

While I love tapered setups, there are a lot more blade options with a standard setup.

And as for popularity? The people who like a tapered setup are probalby just splurging for OPS and ignoring the shaft option.

Easton has a top of the line standard as well as tapered shaft. Unless I'm mistaken, Bauer only has a top of the line standard shaft.

I've noticed more standard blade options as well, that's why I'm wondering. If tapered is so much better, why aren't there as many options (or more) options?

It's not better. It's personal preference. But like CPTJeff said, most people that are interested in the OPS feel (what the tapered combo is suppose to replicate) probably just buy OPS.

[Jarick 5]

Most people using a two-piece around here are using standard. A lot of people use a cut off one-piece with a tapered blade. But most use a one-piece in the price range of $75-$125 or so.

[cptjeff 0]

I've wondered this myself. It seems like the non-tapered shafts are more popular while tapered OPS are also the most popular. For instance, why does Bauer only make a non-tapered version of their top of the line OPS (One95)?

Same reason easton does. So they can have a top end standard shaft to sell along with a top end tapered shaft for the people who like the feel and versatility of the standard setup that's top quality.

While I love tapered setups, there are a lot more blade options with a standard setup.

And as for popularity? The people who like a tapered setup are probalby just splurging for OPS and ignoring the shaft option.

Easton has a top of the line standard as well as tapered shaft. Unless I'm mistaken, Bauer only has a top of the line standard shaft.

I've noticed more standard blade options as well, that's why I'm wondering. If tapered is so much better, why aren't there as many options (or more) options?

Bauer makes a tapered vapor shaft as well. Hard to find, but they exist.

Here's one on total hockey: http://www.totalhockey.net/tab3.asp?item=4659

Not available right now, but they'll probalby be an X:60 before too long.

[Havok19 0]

I saw the roller hockey catalog of bauer and they have the x60 shaft in it and blade.So they will be available.When that is the question probably in march imo but if they comeout in october like the x60 i will be happy.

[sniper_23 0]

My standard One95 shaft/blade combo has IMO outperformed my tapered shafts.. I do keep 2 OPS One95 P14s but I'm getting rid of my tapered shafts and blades.. I also like the AK 27 with the One95 blade as well...

But I've narrowed it down to this

One95 OPS w/P14 and P92 blades

One 95 shaft/P92 blade combo

I love my TPS XN10 chrome OPS sticks as well, but I'm not a fan of the blades.

+1 for the one95 shaft/one95 blade or AK blade combo. The shaft has taken a beating but is still going strong. Both the AK and one95 blades are excellent choices.

[Chadd 916]

It's not better. It's personal preference. But like CPTJeff said, most people that are interested in the OPS feel (what the tapered combo is suppose to replicate) probably just buy OPS.

Actually tapered sticks do have better performance on average. It is an advancement over traditional straight shafts that has significant performance benefits. This topic has been beaten to death here though, I'm not sure we really need another topic on it.