Going to lighter flex?

[mack 44]

Here's the profile at least:

ST nailed the description of the curve as best as you can, but from the profile you can get an idea of how homely the son of a bitch was.

[sickwilly 37]

That thing looks perfect for spearing people.

[noodle3872 40]

Well, I'm going to be trying a 102 flex Eric Staal (P92) Pro Stock X:60 dressed as a One95. Back in the day when I was at my puck dishing best, I used a 110 Flex Easton shaft so this 102 Flex should be a good case study for me.

Mike

[sickwilly 37]

When I get back on the ice, I'm going to jump way down in flex. I had been using an X flex Pro Stock R2XN10 shaft, but had to let it go because of shoulder pain. I'm planning on trying some 95 flex TPS shafts. I'm hoping that it isn't too much of a jump.

[Scotty 8]

I wanted (again) to try dropping down to a softer flex to see if I could gain anything additional on my wrist/snap shots and get a bit more power on shots that weren't full effort. I've been using tapered One95 shafts in 87 flex for over a year now (cut to just under 95 flex) and thought that I would give an X60 a shot again. I'd purchased an 87 flex X60 shaft before and after cutting it to around the 96 flex mark, it felt far too stiff (well beyond 96). I fully understand that this is due to the way they play and the kickpoint, so I purchased a 77 flex X60 shaft. I've been using a bit longer sticks lately, so this one wasn't cut too terribly much and ended up at around 80 flex (halfway to the 84 flex line). Feels stiffer than that to the touch, but upon using it on the rink, it really throws off my shot. Even when slowing down my motion and letting the stick load, the power simply isn't there for me. I had a game last week with it and netted 4 goals, 3 of which were wristers, but I was honestly surprised that a couple went in simply due to the fact that they didn't have as much speed behind them as I was used to. Played pickup yesterday for about 2 hours with a bunch of firefighter buddies and a few had commented that my shot just wasn't the same. It took a bit to get my aim back with the softer flex, but that came around. What didn't was my release or shot power. Now I'm not really worried about slapshots because I rarely take them anymore, but my wrist shots just didn't have the pop they normally do. After about 90 minutes, I switched back to my tapered One95 shaft and my wrist shots were popping off the blade with unbelievable snap. I still feel the shaft loading as I drive my wrists and hands forward, but the kick is so much more powerful and the shot much quicker with the higher flex. I'm still going to attempt to use and get used to the lower flex, but if time and shot mechanic changes don't eventually result in the same shot I'm used to, I'll be sticking with my One95 stash.

[Jarick 5]

Do you really like to lean into shots or are you more using a really quick motion while shooting? I found when trying mid kick sticks they felt too laggy even if they had power.

I've gone around and around the circle in terms of flex (and most things) and right now feel that the ideal flex is one that flexes just a bit on snap shots. Wristers I don't care about flex since it's more about hand speed and slappers will follow the snappers.

[bar down 1]

i went froma flex 55 to 85 huge difference

[zachary 2]

I wanted (again) to try dropping down to a softer flex to see if I could gain anything additional on my wrist/snap shots and get a bit more power on shots that weren't full effort. I've been using tapered One95 shafts in 87 flex for over a year now (cut to just under 95 flex) and thought that I would give an X60 a shot again. I'd purchased an 87 flex X60 shaft before and after cutting it to around the 96 flex mark, it felt far too stiff (well beyond 96). I fully understand that this is due to the way they play and the kickpoint, so I purchased a 77 flex X60 shaft. I've been using a bit longer sticks lately, so this one wasn't cut too terribly much and ended up at around 80 flex (halfway to the 84 flex line). Feels stiffer than that to the touch, but upon using it on the rink, it really throws off my shot. Even when slowing down my motion and letting the stick load, the power simply isn't there for me. I had a game last week with it and netted 4 goals, 3 of which were wristers, but I was honestly surprised that a couple went in simply due to the fact that they didn't have as much speed behind them as I was used to. Played pickup yesterday for about 2 hours with a bunch of firefighter buddies and a few had commented that my shot just wasn't the same. It took a bit to get my aim back with the softer flex, but that came around. What didn't was my release or shot power. Now I'm not really worried about slapshots because I rarely take them anymore, but my wrist shots just didn't have the pop they normally do. After about 90 minutes, I switched back to my tapered One95 shaft and my wrist shots were popping off the blade with unbelievable snap. I still feel the shaft loading as I drive my wrists and hands forward, but the kick is so much more powerful and the shot much quicker with the higher flex. I'm still going to attempt to use and get used to the lower flex, but if time and shot mechanic changes don't eventually result in the same shot I'm used to, I'll be sticking with my One95 stash.

I noticed the accurcy difference as well when I first went to a softer flex and it's true but I'm kinda opposite of you in terms of release. It does lag a bit but I feel my overall snappers are 100x harder. It might make me more predictable when shooting but I figure it's got enough velocity on it to beat the goalie anyway. I currently use a 65 flex EQ50 cut to about 70-75 flex and I just used a PS SE16 I got which is alot more stiff probably around the 90 range but it kicks like the EQ does. I noticed less lag on the stiffer one.

I guess it all depends on preference but I don't want to suggest trying a midkick stick because I think you would get more lag.

[Chadd 916]

I still feel the shaft loading as I drive my wrists and hands forward, but the kick is so much more powerful and the shot much quicker with the higher flex. I'm still going to attempt to use and get used to the lower flex, but if time and shot mechanic changes don't eventually result in the same shot I'm used to, I'll be sticking with my One95 stash.

Sounds similar to my shot mechanics and my experiences as well. Regular tapered sticks work so much better with that type of motion.

Wristers I don't care about flex since it's more about hand speed and slappers will follow the snappers.

And those mechanics work usually work better with low kickpoint sticks.

[Scotty 8]

Sounds similar to my shot mechanics and my experiences as well. Regular tapered sticks work so much better with that type of motion.

Do you mean regular tapered sticks with slightly higher kickpoints as opposed to ultra low kickpoints?

What were your findings with dropping down into lower flexes?

[jwilliams 0]

I went from an 85 to a whip flex TPS. I thought my shots felt alright, but catching passes was a whole new ballgame.

[Chadd 916]

Do you mean regular tapered sticks with slightly higher kickpoints as opposed to ultra low kickpoints?

Yes.

What were your findings with dropping down into lower flexes?

I do better with lighter flexes on slappers than I do with wristers. But my slapper motion is different than many others. I like to "trap" the puck near my back foot and then accelerate down the target line. That motion works incredibly well with lighter flexes. My preference is something in the 90-ish flex range and I'm a fairly big guy.

[BucksAway 16]

Hi

Im wondering about dropping onto a lighter flex aswell, I currently have a ~ 110 Flex SE16 which i don't like at all, i have a 87 Flex Warrior dolomite which i use the most but i cant get a nice slap shot off very often, i also have a RBK 4k One piece which is about a 70 flex but the stick itself feels a little bit chunky and heavy but my slapshots and wrist shots are a lot harder, but i still cant feel it load up a whole lot.

I'm short, about 5"8 and weigh about 75kg. Senior sticks are out of the question as i have to cut them down to much which results in them been to stiff. I'm looking at either junior or intermediate again but im wondering if junior sticks will be to flexy or they dont have the same build quality as a intermediate. I will be buying just the 3 junior or senior intermediate packs from hockey monkey as i don't really have a preffered feel but getting 3 random sticks might help me find what i really like.

can anyone comment on the difference with junior and intermediate and whether or not a junior stick will work for me. I play forward and rarely take slapshots but when i do i really want to be able to take a nice one without feeling like i will screw it up

[Chadd 916]

If the 70 flex is working for you, I would stick with it. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that intermediates are right in the sweet spot for you.

[CAmmon 2]

I'd second staying with intermediates if you like them. The thing to worry about on a jr stick is that it will have smaller shaft dimensions and a smaller blade.

[Neo5370 132]

I'd second staying with intermediates if you like them. The thing to worry about on a jr stick is that it will have smaller shaft dimensions and a smaller blade.

Are there any other pros (retired or active) besides hull and ovie that use whip flexes, or is it extremely rare for pros to go so light? Also, I remember Gretzky using a 100 flex. How the heck did he shoot wristers or was he a little stronger than we all think he was?

[zachary 2]

Are there any other pros (retired or active) besides hull and ovie that use whip flexes, or is it extremely rare for pros to go so light? Also, I remember Gretzky using a 100 flex. How the heck did he shoot wristers or was he a little stronger than we all think he was?

I heard Kessel used 67 flex when he was with Bauer twigs. Not sure if it's true though.

[Neo5370 132]

I heard Kessel used 67 flex when he was with Bauer twigs. Not sure if it's true though.

Oh, yeah forgot about him. Thanks.

[watchgreat 4]

I heard Kessel used 67 flex when he was with Bauer twigs. Not sure if it's true though.

Somone on facebook is selling one of his x60s and its a 77

[scoops 1]

I have a couple James Neal pro stock S19's, they're 75 flex. Also have a Tanner Glass eq50 repaint (from PSHG) and it's 80 flex, and a Tom Wandell one95 with x60 graphics that's 82 flex.

Oh, Jamie Benn too, had one of his pro stocks and it was pretty whippy.

[SnakeHockey 0]

I've seen his sticks before in the used stick section at the ACC. His XXXXs were 70, his X:60s (repaint one95s) were 75 and t-ones were 80. Definitely an intermediate shaft dimension on all.

[twistoffate19 0]

I've always used 95-100 flex sticks when possible, but lately I've been using an 80-85ish flex Versteeg EQ50 prostock. I'm actually enjoying the whippier flex. Like everyone here has said, there is an adjustment period, but I found mine to be a small one. Biggest change for me was actually hard passing. That split second extra load before releasing a pass threw off my timing slightly, but I'm fine now.

[zachary 2]

I also forgot to mention Cal Clutterbuck uses an 80 flex on his U+ CLs. I heard his stick is longer than standard retail though.

[17D1998 1]

Switched from 95/100/TPS regular to Warrior 85 and I loved it (except for slappers, they're brutal). The difference is not as big as I expected. I'll have to work on my slap shots tho ahah

[Jarick 5]

can anyone comment on the difference with junior and intermediate and whether or not a junior stick will work for me. I play forward and rarely take slapshots but when i do i really want to be able to take a nice one without feeling like i will screw it up

Don't get a junior stick. Intermediates are whippy enough at your height. That 4k stick you had is too cheap to give you a good idea of what a lighter flex will do for you. I'm not sure buying three intermediate sticks would be a good idea though...if you have a couple hundred burning a hole in your pocket, get an intermediate and a senior stick in the same curve and stick.