OPS Stick Graphics

[DarkStar50 679]

Simple questions: Which brand has the best OPS graphics? Do you like Easton, RBK, CCM, Bauer, or Warrior? Does the look of a OPS influence your decision on whether or not to buy it?

[heybrady 0]

I am just getting back to hockey after 10 years or so off, and just bought an Easton Stealth. The graphics had nothing to do with my purchase, but I like the understated elegance of Easton.

[Michael9 57]

Doesn't really influence my purchases. I usually buy based on reviews and depending on the price. As far as graphics go, I really like the look of black sticks, like the one95, orginal dolomite, s17, rbk 10k etc.

[Jarick 5]

I like the look of Warrior stuff, kind of flashy, but not obnoxiously so. Eastons are nice too.

[BuffaloKing 0]

I am a big fan of the majority black graphics packages. I think the Reebok and Bauer top of the line models as well as the S19 look great.

Even the Warrior Dolomite DD is quite nice looking in spite of the dragon. For once, the bright colors are used rather tastefully.

Yes the look does influence my decision to buy. It is not the ultimate deciding factor but it does carry some weight.

[bostonbruins 0]

I love Bauer OPS stick graphics and hate Warrior stick graphics, and the graphics do influence my decision.

[TBLfan 25]

I like Easton's graphics, besides a couple of ST models Easton has been hitting a bullseye every year for a looong time. Warrior also has a few graphics packages that I like, the original Dolomite(clear), the AK OPS and Dolomite Spyne Double D(clear) look fantastic. The one95 is a great looking stick too. I loved the Response+ also. ...but the best looking stick in my opinion was the original Stealth.

I love the look of this graphics package on the Flyweight: Link Other shafts: TPS redlites(every model)

Overall, it does play a factor but I tend to stick with what works best. I don't find the R2XN10 to be the best looking shaft but it is certainly my favorite.

[althoma1 575]

I read reviews of sticks and then either get a pro stock stick with a curve and flex I like or a previous year top end model on sale. Either that or a used/stick shaft. I'd put my priorities in this order when it comes to sticks:

1. Lie (4.5 - 5 is ideal)

2. Curve (mid or toe, closed to slightly open - definitely no heel wedges for me)

3. Flex (90-100)

4. Performance/Reviews

5. Balance

6. Feel

7. Price...well, maybe price should be higher as I've made some comprimises on the other items for price.

8. Graphics/looks

Graphics is well down on my list of priorities. Having said that, I like the look of the Easton SE16 shaft and Mission Titanium OPS I have.

[AIREAYE 248]

I read reviews of sticks and then either get a pro stock stick with a curve and flex I like or a previous year top end model on sale. Either that or a used/stick shaft. I'd put my priorities in this order when it comes to sticks:

1. Lie (4.5 - 5 is ideal)

2. Curve (mid or toe, closed to slightly open - definitely no heel wedges for me)

3. Flex (90-100)

4. Performance/Reviews

5. Balance

6. Feel

7. Price...well, maybe price should be higher as I've made some comprimises on the other items for price.

8. Graphics/looks

Graphics is well down on my list of priorities. Having said that, I like the look of the Easton SE16 shaft and Mission Titanium OPS I have.

Mine is prob:

1. Flex (75,77)

2. Weight (light, but not CL or X:60 light)

3. Price

4. Curve

5. Balance

6. Puck Feel

7. Graphics

[dsjunior1388 81]

I like the way pretty much every Easton looks like, going way back to the original Synergys. Bauer, I like the look of the Supreme One90 and One95 but think the vapor XXXX and X:60 looked dumb. The XXX was all right, though. Warrior is hit or miss, mostly miss but I like the AK shafts and the Dolomite Spyne looked cool. Pretty much I'm looking for a simple design, and I like the matte finish my AK27 has so light doesn't reflect (don't notice it at all on the ice, it's just what I like) and the look is not that high on my priorities.

1. Price

2. lie

3. Flex

4. Curve

5. Durability

6. Performance

7. Texture

8. Appearance

[larrivee 3]

To get back to DS50's original post-

Right now I think the s19 and ST look fantastic- I'm also partial to the 10k's graphics. The RBK's have a nice understated look to them.

The dolomite is neat in that flashy sense.

Bauer's X:60 looks good, but to me isn't on par with the Easton stuff.

CCM's are pretty much ugly.

Would it influence my purchase? Maybe- when I saw the new ST i wanted one badly. I like new gear.

All of that said- sticks are one thing I've never bought based off of graphics. I am mostly worried about durability, as 2 ops is the same as a long season of hockey.

[Rustyhole 1]

always had a soft spot for Easton, then Bauer

but the whole generic 'let's wrap our brand logo around the stick corners' thing has gotta go

just about everyone's done it

that and chrome, chrome is way over used IMO

[uclahockey707 1]

Love the way reebok cleaned up the look of their sticks this year. The blacked out sticks with the simple "reebok" logo on the shaft look great to me, something can be said for simplicity in the cases of sticks.

But, like almost everyone else here, feel and shot are really what decide what stick I buy.

Kinda random, but I've always like the Farrell sticks look too (black on black)

[sickwilly 37]

I wouldn't buy a stick because of the graphics. I would avoid buying one if the graphics were too loud, though. Overall, I like the look of Bauer sticks.

[lerxst 0]

I wouldn't buy a stick because of the graphics. I would avoid buying one if the graphics were too loud, though. Overall, I like the look of Bauer sticks.

+1 for the Bauer Supreme One95

[noodle3872 40]

I like Bauer's non-Stick'Um One95 and Vapor 60 graphics and Easton S19 graphics. The new Easton ST is cool too with the matte finish. As Marcelo said, they show the graphite material thru the paint/graphics. But in the end, performance dictates which stick I buy and right now, the One95 is my choice.

Mike

[Chadd 916]

What I like about Easton/Warrior graphics is how the shaft shape and material come through the graphics and paint; you can feel the shaft if that makes sense. The other brands almost have a "plastic feel" because of how smooth they are.

Graphics certainly don't influence my purchase, but, they definitely do in the grand scheme of things.

Well said, I couldn't agree more.

[larrivee 3]

The one95 is a pretty good looking stick. Forgot that one.

[Hazard14 0]

Graphics are not that important, but I like the look of a clean, not overly flashy, mostly black stick.

ex. One95, U+, 10K, S19

[roscoe6 1]

I would never base my purchase SOLEY on the graphics of a stick; but I may unconsciously be swayed one way or another by them. Like some of the other previous posters said, I too like the black stick with understated graphics. I really like the flat black look NBH and Easton have put on some of their sticks.

As far as which specific current OPS I like they would be - NBH One95, Easton S17/S19, SE16, and the 2010 ST, and the CCM U+ CL. I liked the older Warrior Dolomites, but some of their newer stuff is a little bogus for me.

EDIT - Forgot to mention, I like the new all white Warrior AK27 that Ryan Smyth has been using recently.

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/95635825....53AEE9BB8314DA4

[shotty 7]

the simpler the better. U+ cl, S19, one95, all appeal to me visually, but they're also amazing sticks. I LOVED the look of the SLs a few years back (silver with the blue fade at the bottom. nicely done)

[Skoda10 14]

Like others I don't base my decision to buy or not on graphics. I like contrast, like Easton has. Black or white with some other color, and I'm pushed away by odd bright colors, like that yellowish greenish MacDaddy Warrior had. Not my cup of tea.

[tamtamg 12]

Easton and Bauer have the best looking sticks imo. But I don't really let graphics effect my choice in purchasing a stick.

[Race4LastPlace 31]

I'd say looks are one of the key factors when i buy a stick.

To be honest. I love the performance i have gotten out of my one95's and u+'s. But the last several sticks i have purchased were strictly for looks, some of them not having seen the ice yet. still waiting on my dolo spyne to come in from a member here, but thats one i wanted because of looks. I will use them, but love the looks. Same with my octogun, u+, old vapor xx's, green synergy, etc... If i do not like the graphics, i wont buy the stick, plain and simple for me. And i dont spraypaint the shafts or any part of the stick, or candycane tape it, i like to look at the graphics...

example: with regards to warrior stick graphics, its 50/50 for me. Often times its only the nipple grip that i like. Im personally not a fan of grip on sticks, but love the blue/black on early dolo's and the green/black/white on the dolo spyne (clear). even have a blue macdaddy. But the early clear dolo's, clear mac daddy, new grip dolo spyne, and dolo dd in the orange and off green color's really turn me off. Same stick but hate the grip, like the clear, or vice versa depending on which specific warrior stick.

Dont have that problem with most other brands (bauer,easton, ccm) as i like most of the colors on both grip and nongrip models...

just my preferences...

[MrWizard 0]

Being that I own one of the yellowy-green Mac Daddy's, and a Nike Bauer One95 and love both, graphics really only play a part with me if it's the same stick offered in multiple colours.

Each manufacturer has certain sticks that look really good, but I can't say that it affects my decision that much..