blades: wood vs. composite

[SolarWind 23]

Ok - I've got hands of stone & so the concept of 'soft hands' is a bit foreign to me so in the past I had real trouble with composite blades, especially stiff ones like XXXX

to mitigate the problem I've switched to wood & have been using wooden blades for a while now

I think my hands have improved a bit, plus I'm getting quite annoyed by the fact that wooden blades don't last long at all - they usually start shredding & get too soft (almost flimsy) after 6-7 games.

with that do you think it's worth the effort to try switching back to composite? I tried it briefly recently and while my shots got quite a bit harder due to composite blades actually transferring the energy into the puck rather than absorbing it at least partially I have to say that the 'feel for the puck' isn't as good, and so stickhandling/receiving passes requires a bit more finesse - but nothing unmanageable...

thoughts?

[sickwilly 37]

If you haven't already, I'd try a few different blades.

[SolarWind 23]

I have (just bauer ones lately - XXX Lite, XXXX, One95 + woodies of course), but this is more of a philosophical question :)

[sickwilly 37]

Ultimately I guess it's about what you feel the best using. I had trouble with the same transition a while ago but now find that I like the composite blades better, even with (IMO) a little less feel. I put a lot of value on shooting and a little less on feel. I also find that the composite blades combine for a better balance with most higher-end shafts I've used. My vote is to give the transition a shot, unless the feel is way off to you. A couple of goals when you've ripped the shot harder than usual might help convince you. Either way, you can always go back.

[larrivee 3]

I've found good success with warrior on the transition. The Easton's always felt harsh to me, the compro was ok, the dolomite has worked well for me.

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

Normally there is very little overlap when I tape my stick. While I was converting from wood to composite, though, I overlapped significantly leaving most of the blade with a double layer. Give it a try.

If it works for you, you can have the softness of wood blades with the durability of composite blades. Blade tape with or without a normal tape job might have the same effect.

[prokennex 0]

+1 for Blade Tape. I too found that composite blades had little to no feel. I find that using Blade Tape increases the feel substantially. It's not wood, but it is close and the durability is much better. FYI, I use a Warrior Dolomite.

[cptjeff 0]

I would try easton blades, I've always liked their feel. And while the durability is not the greatest, it seems to have improved, and they'll still last longer then your wood blades. Dolos are reputedly more durable and get great reviews on here, so you could try giving those a shot too. Or if you're a lefty, you could go the mission or dolo pro stock route with the blades on monkey.

[Andoy 5]

I think the new dolo HDs have good puck feel but I haven't had the best of luck with them in terms of durability.

[Patrick67 1]

I 2nd the puckfeel comment on the new Dolo HD's, but I've never had a high-end composite blade break down faster on me than the HD...

[Jarick 5]

They do seem to break down way too fast. Sure hope they keep making the regular Dolo blades at this rate.

[Chadd 916]

I'd be willing to sacrifice a little longevity in exchange for a blade that feels better to me. Of course, I wouldn't get an OPS with that kind of blade. It would have to be a tapered shaft/blade combo.

[the_sock 1]

Hey,

Try a hybrid blade from Easton. Blade is made from graphite and the hosel is wood (one piece or lami). You get best of both worlds, I used it for several years before going to full composite blades then to a OPS.