Going to lighter flex?

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Depends, but I usually cut it to be just under my nose while on my feet. I think I got a little overzealous when I bought it and cut off too much for my preference on the intermediate. I'm going to cut the senior 77 flex a few inches longer and hope to come out at about the same as my intermediate. Right now the 67 is probably around 85 or so with it cut down. I'm not sure how this effects the x60's "intelliflex" though.

I've found a lot of picking the right stick and flex is knowing where the kick-points are and making the most of it.

[ramw5p 0]

Like otheers have said let the stick do the work. I used to use a 80'ish flex. After shoulder surgery i went 77, not i use int sticks. Im not a small guy, just regular, not many slappers. I let the stick do the work, still get the hard shots, just have to work less at it. My switch wasnt by choice though, shoulder demanded it.

Like others have said let the stick do the work. I used to use a 80'ish flex. After shoulder surgery i went 77, now i use int sticks. Im not a small guy, just regular, not many slappers. I let the stick do the work, still get the hard shots, just have to work less at it. My switch wasnt by choice though, shoulder demanded it.

[Jarick 5]

I've found a lot of picking the right stick and flex is knowing where the kick-points are and making the most of it.

That's what I've found through a LOT of trial and error. I like a stick that I can load up a bit with my hands about two feet apart. I have no idea what that means in kickpoint talk.

[chippa13 1844]

I'm guessing that you prefer sticks like the Bauer One95 and Easton S17/19.

[mack 44]

Went down to 110s and even 100s for a bit last year after I got shoulder pain. About shit my pants in fear that it was all catching up to me but it just ended up being a bone spur. Crisis averted and I'm onto 120s again.

[Jarick 5]

I'm guessing that you prefer sticks like the Bauer One95 and Easton S17/19.

I like the 77 One95 and 75 SE16, otherwise I have to drop down to about 60 flex for anything else to feel right.

[hamstercaster 2]

After a couple of years playing nets and then a year or so playing with 87s I decided to go back to 100s with the two last sticks I purchased. Will be trying them out on Friday. Before I went back in nets I used 100s or 110s and I remember having a harder shot and quicker release back then. We can't use slap shots at my shinny unless your alone with the goalie and since I play D most of the time, chances of that happening are pretty much nil to nil I've been struggling with my passing too since I've switched to a lower flex number so I'm hoping this will bring my passing game to what it used to be.

[Scotty 8]

Sometimes it takes the right circumstances to find out what you like. I used Cyclone 95s (which truly feel like 105-110 flex) forever before I knew any better. Had a hell of a wrister with them and slapper's decent as well, but gradually worked down to 85-90 flex sticks. Even tried a 75 flex Dolomite, but found it simply too whippy for my style. It took shooting with my old Z-Bubble (100 flex that has broken WAY in and is now about 80-85) during a tournament and seeing the effects that it had on my wrist/snap shots. Joe Sakic/Alex Semin style release now that I'm in my proper flex, which it turns out is about an 85 or maybe TPS Regular flex (90ish). Enough stiffness to maintain some great pop and kick hard while still allowing me to take a couple slappers, but also some good flex on my wristers off the toe to really snap them.

[Jarick 5]

Enough stiffness to maintain some great pop and kick hard while still allowing me to take a couple slappers, but also some good flex on my wristers off the toe to really snap them.

That's a great way to describe it. I want to feel the stick load a little bit but have some resistance, like you're drawing back an arrow. If it loads too easily, there won't be enough recoil to really launch it, but if you can't load it at all, obviously you're going to get nothing.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Like otheers have said let the stick do the work. I used to use a 80'ish flex. After shoulder surgery i went 77, not i use int sticks. Im not a small guy, just regular, not many slappers. I let the stick do the work, still get the hard shots, just have to work less at it. My switch wasnt by choice though, shoulder demanded it.

Like others have said let the stick do the work. I used to use a 80'ish flex. After shoulder surgery i went 77, now i use int sticks. Im not a small guy, just regular, not many slappers. I let the stick do the work, still get the hard shots, just have to work less at it. My switch wasnt by choice though, shoulder demanded it.

Also something I neglected to mention. I developed Impingement Syndrome in my left shoulder in high school. I can't left a lot of weight with it or load it up a lot. If I have to carry something heavy or even my hockey bag, it goes on or I use my right shoulder. Since I shoot lefty, most of the load on a slapshot is on my left shoulder.

I just compared my int. 67 flex to my senior 77 flex. I'll post up my thoughts with pictures later tonight if I get a chance. For now, work calls.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Also something I neglected to mention. I developed Impingement Syndrome in my left shoulder in high school. I can't left a lot of weight with it or load it up a lot. If I have to carry something heavy or even my hockey bag, it goes on or I use my right shoulder. Since I shoot lefty, most of the load on a slapshot is on my left shoulder.

I just compared my int. 67 flex to my senior 77 flex. I'll post up my thoughts with pictures later tonight if I get a chance. For now, work calls.

I for one noticed a significant difference between the 67 and 77. The 77 felt like steel compared the 67, so I got the 67.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I think most of it is that the kick-points may be shifted a bit lower in the 67 perhaps? Interesting to see intermediates in 77 flex. The shaft and blade dimensions seem the same, the intermediates just aren't as long. The stick with the taped blade is the intermediate x60 p88, 67 flex, the new stick is senior x60 p88 77 flex.

[gxc999 7]

Chadd had something of an epiphany a while ago and I've found it true. If you take time to fully load up every shot, you'll benefit from a lower flex, at least on snap and wristers, but if not, a stiffer stick actually benefits you more.

[zachary 2]

Great thread, I've been thinking about this all summer and it's great to take in everyones input to formulate my own hypothesis. I've been using 87 flex Bauer sticks for the past 4-5 years and I actually like it alot. More recently this year my one95 started to break down thus causing it to be more whippy. I loved it except it decreased my accuracy a bit but I was considering buying a 77 because by the time I cut the 87 down it turns into a 95. I might just get a 77 in my pattern if I can find one if not then it's gonna stay 87.

Also incase inquiring minds wanna know, I play defense and am more offensively inclined. I love to shoot as well. I'm 5'10"-5'11" and weigh 158. As you can tell I'm not a very big guy so the lighter flexes tend to help me a bit.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Also something I neglected to mention. I developed Impingement Syndrome in my left shoulder in high school. I can't left a lot of weight with it or load it up a lot. If I have to carry something heavy or even my hockey bag, it goes on or I use my right shoulder. Since I shoot lefty, most of the load on a slapshot is on my left shoulder.

I just compared my int. 67 flex to my senior 77 flex. I'll post up my thoughts with pictures later tonight if I get a chance. For now, work calls.

So what did you end of thinking of the two flexes compared?

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

So what did you end of thinking of the two flexes compared?

Haven't used the X60 in the 77 flex yet. I know I found the XXXX a tad too stiff for my liking. Wristers seemed to have a little more oomph with the 77 flex, but I'm able to load up the 67 for slap shots and really put them where I want them. I'm a light player (5'7", 135lbs).

After all of this, I'm interested in knowing why Bauer offers a 77 flex intermediate and a 77 flex senior, and what the difference is between the two aside from length. Shaft dimensions and blade dimensions seem identical.

I'm hoping I like the X60 in 77 but I'm not going to even cut it and use it until my 67 bites the dust.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Haven't used the X60 in the 77 flex yet. I know I found the XXXX a tad too stiff for my liking. Wristers seemed to have a little more oomph with the 77 flex, but I'm able to load up the 67 for slap shots and really put them where I want them. I'm a light player (5'7", 135lbs).

After all of this, I'm interested in knowing why Bauer offers a 77 flex intermediate and a 77 flex senior, and what the difference is between the two aside from length. Shaft dimensions and blade dimensions seem identical.

I'm hoping I like the X60 in 77 but I'm not going to even cut it and use it until my 67 bites the dust.

Intermediate shaft dimensions are smaller than senior shaft dimensions. They also don't have an intermediate 77. It's actually 75 not that makes much of a difference lol.

[fiimb 1]

the 75 flex intermediate and 77 flex senior have a huge difference because the intermediate is 57" and the senior is 60"

if you were to cut down the senior 3" you would get a roughly 88 flex stick, compared to the 75 flex intermediate of the same length.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

the 75 flex intermediate and 77 flex senior have a huge difference because the intermediate is 57" and the senior is 60"

if you were to cut down the senior 3" you would get a roughly 88 flex stick, compared to the 75 flex intermediate of the same length.

exactly bauer is just giving people more options so they can find the correct height and flex

[noodle3872 40]

I haven't seen too much discussion about what flex of stick the "playmakers" use? I consider myself a playmaker and up to last year, I always used a 100 flex Easton. I have no problem flexing a 100 flex. I'm now trying a 77 flex One95 but something is missing. The feel thru the blade is perfect but the shaft feels too soft. Don't get me wrong, my shot (when I get the technique right) has more velocity but less accuracy. I think the firmer shaft gave me better control for quick give and go type of passes and shots. Most of my goal are within 15 feet of the net where shot placement is more important than outright velocity.

What flex did guys like Adam Oates and other notable playmakers use?

[Scotty 8]

Oates used wood, so that's hard to specify a flex. Plain and simple, if you think your 77 feels too soft, try an 87. Or if you enjoyed the flex of the Easton 100, try Bauer's 102. The One95 has epic puck feel, so I'd consider it a great stick for playmakers. It is also, however, considered a great shooting stick.

There's no set flex for certain styles, but whatever you're comfortable with. Some of the game's best shooters have used flexes ranging from 65 up to 120 and 140. It's all in what you use the best.

[fiimb 1]

i prefer a stiffer flex for those days where all i wanna do is pass. to me, stiffer sticks are more precise in those precise soft touch passes.

[mack 44]

What flex did guys like Adam Oates and other notable playmakers use?

His Synergys were >100 IIRC. Ugly as hell curve/blade, too. I'm not a playmaker by any means but I don't like stickhandling with what feels like a noodle.

[troy 12]

OT - related to Oates' pattern; when he was with the Flyers I remember it being mentioned that he was shipped a batch of sticks and in transit the toes all cracked, so he sawed off the broken part, played with them and ultimately enjoyed it.

[Jarick 5]

Okay, who's got a picture of that thing? Google only gives me the profile...

SI article about Oates' stick:

The way Oates goes to work on his stick would get Bob Vila jazzed. The tools he uses include a handsaw, a jigsaw, a baby hammer, a large hammer, a vise grip, a sander and a blowtorch. First he chops off the toe of the blade to square it (a unique, superstitious practice he began 10 years ago), then he sands the base of the blade until it's flat ("When you're in the corner and your stick is against the wall, you can still keep a lot of blade on the ice," Oates explains), and then he saws, bends, twists, massages and burns the blade until it feels the way he wants it to. The process takes Oates about 15 minutes per stick.