Moving from Wood to Two-Piece

[Wallzy41 9]

I'm moving from a Koho Torpedo intermediate wood stick(Jagr Curve, or current Reebok P34/Bauer Malkin) to a Two Piece stick. Would I be better buying a Tapered or standard shaft if I used a wood stick, and should I opt for the 85 or 100/102 flex shaft? Either way, I'll be purchasing a left handed PM9 clone blade.

[LivHockey84 0]

you would be best to get a standard taper shaft. as far as the flex just give em a shot and feel what feels best...my woodie is 95 flex but my 2 piece(which is my main stick) is a 80 flex.

[sickwilly 37]

You could see if some of your buds would let you try their setups in practice or shinny. Choosing a stick depends so much on personal preference. I'd say the main thing to do is to go with what feels right to you.

It might be helpful to know how old, big and strong you are. What position do you play? Are you someone who takes a lot of slappers, wristers, snappers...? How important is durability vs performance?

If you're looking for recommendations on specific shafts and blades, you may also want to let us know your budget.

You'd probably be able to get a standard setup more cheaply. My experience is that standard stuff lasts a lot longer for me, and performs well. I get a little more oomph on my shots with a tapered setup, but I break them maybe twice as quickly (but I'm 6'1" 235 and load the hell out of the shaft). You may also save a little more with each standard blade you buy. I have no clue what flex your torpedo was, so I probably shouldn't say much about flex.

If you really have no idea at all, it would probably be hardest to go completely wrong with a regular flex shaft if you're in high school or beyond (although you might like something else better).

I'd also consider buying a used setup... maybe one tapered and one standard setup until you really know what you like/dislike.

Good luck!

[Wallzy41 9]

Background: HS Junior, 160 lbs, 5'9". Purpose: All purpose stick. I play RW/RD and I'm all over the place. I shoot wristers, snappers, slappers. All with 1 stick. As for the flex on my intermediate stick, i found it to be whippier than my Sherwood 5030(which is 95), and stiffer than my friend's Bauer 3003(65 flex Jr. Stick) I'm absolutely happy with the flex, I just don't know where i'm going to be able to find wood sticks other than my LHS which is overloaded with Coffey/Crosby 5030s. My budget is give or take 150 dollars for both shaft and blade combined. I was looking at the Reebok 6k shaft with the matching 6k P34 blade.

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

Can't comment on the blade but I am very pleased with the Warrior Swizzle shafts I purchased. The 80 plays mor like an 85 just as reference.

[Rustyhole 1]

my Sherwood 5030(which is 95)

I always thought the 5030 was listed as 85

anyway...

standard taper is easier to find wood blades for. the Easton Synergy ST & a wood blade would be a nice combo! (pattern P4 Modano/Forsberg/Zetterberg if you get an Easton blade)

[Wallzy41 9]

Listed at 85. Performs like a 95. My apologies. ST shaft/blade sounds like a decent option. Anyone tried the Bauer Vapor standard shaft?

[Chadd 916]

Standard shaft will perform more like the wood stick. Performance is generally better on tapered sticks than non tapered. When you say you are happy with the flex, are you referring to the intermediate or the 5030? If the 5030, do you like it best when it's brand new or broken in?

[shotty 7]

Can't comment on the blade but I am very pleased with the Warrior Swizzle shafts I purchased. The 80 plays mor like an 85 just as reference.

how does it feel weight wise? what kind of blade are you using?

i'm looking for a good match for my one95 blades.

[Wallzy41 9]

Chadd, my intermediate stick's flex seems to be about perfect. It feels 80-85ish? So, based on what I like and what I can afford, an Easton ST shaft + a wood blade of choice?

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

Definitely heavier than a OPS would be, but I've paired it with an AK27 blade and I've found the weight and balance to be light enough and very useable

[LivHockey84 0]

Try an easton S5 Shaft with the blade of your choice. The shaft is around $40 and is an 80 flex.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Try an easton S5 Shaft with the blade of your choice. The shaft is around $40 and is an 80 flex.

If he's tight on cash, the gear exchange is a good place to pick up a shaft for cheap as well if he wants something a little more high end.

[Wallzy41 9]

I have $150 to work with, so I'm probably going to check out either the ST or the 6k. Have the new '10 ST's come out in shaft form yet?

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I have $150 to work with, so I'm probably going to check out either the ST or the 6k. Have the new '10 ST's come out in shaft form yet?

6k is on the heavier side fyi. IMO the best standard shaft available would be the one95 shaft. No the new St shafts haven't been released.

[Wallzy41 9]

But, but, but, the one55 is 2 for 80 at HM. In all seriousness, I've seen a bunch of my friends with the ops one55. Good buy? If not, i'll end up buying an older ST or the one95.

[AIREAYE 248]

the One55 isnt a terrible OPS, but you could do better with a shaft/blade combo like the ones mentioned

[flyweightphantom 1]

I'd go with an One95 or tps R8 shaft (whip flex) I think they are both great choices.

[Jarick 5]

If I were you, I'd pick up a One95 shaft and a wood blade. If you like it, spring for a One95 composite blade, which is probably the best there is. Well under $150 for the shaft and wood blade, and it will be a smooth transition.

For the flex, you say you like the flex on your wood Koho intermediate, which feels a bit whippy to me, but the 77 flex senior would probably be good for you.

[layziebone_ 0]

I got a one95 shaft with wood blade and I`m loving it. I got a few composite blades that i use for outdoor winter hockey, one90, one95, rm9.... but I just cant play a game with them. I lose alot of confidence when I`m playing with a full composite. It`s starting to become a problem especially with Easton discontinuing the Fibre Plus blade.

[Wallzy41 9]

layzie, I've got the exact opposite problem as you. I'll play with a wood blade for outdoor winter hockey because I don't want to drop some coin on my blades, but i'll play composite on a rink. So, One95 or Easton ST in terms of shaft? I'm looking for reliability and durability in the shaft, as I've taken some vicious slashes to some wood sticks.

[sickwilly 37]

The AK27's I've used have been great, also. If I happened to be looking for a standard shaft, I'd probably try the One95, based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews I've read here. I really don't think you'll go wrong with either choice. If you're thinking of standard shafts for the long-haul, you may want to periodically check the sell forums here and ebay for a TPS Red Lite XN10. I keep thinking I'll never find another one, but they still pop up periodically.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I got a one95 shaft with wood blade and I`m loving it. I got a few composite blades that i use for outdoor winter hockey, one90, one95, rm9.... but I just cant play a game with them. I lose alot of confidence when I`m playing with a full composite. It`s starting to become a problem especially with Easton discontinuing the Fibre Plus blade.

I finally found a wooden blade I like, then they stop making it.

The AK27's I've used have been great, also. If I happened to be looking for a standard shaft, I'd probably try the One95, based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews I've read here. I really don't think you'll go wrong with either choice. If you're thinking of standard shafts for the long-haul, you may want to periodically check the sell forums here and ebay for a TPS Red Lite XN10. I keep thinking I'll never find another one, but they still pop up periodically.

I've been looking for a red lite shaft for almost half a year now in reg flex. Every one I see is always stiff or xstiff.

[flyerman 0]

If I were you, I'd pick up a One95 shaft and a wood blade. If you like it, spring for a One95 composite blade, which is probably the best there is. Well under $150 for the shaft and wood blade, and it will be a smooth transition.

For the flex, you say you like the flex on your wood Koho intermediate, which feels a bit whippy to me, but the 77 flex senior would probably be good for you.

I agree with Jarick totally. I think you will be really happy with this set-up. Total Hockey has 77 Flex One95s for $85. I would pair it with a One 95 wood blade (PM9 like you said), which run only about $25. If you want to jump right into a composite blade (although I would not recommend it at first), get a One95 Comp blade ($49 at Total Hockey). The puck feel is excellent for a composite blade, but still nothing like the feel you'll get from a woodie. That's why I think it's a better progression to go from a wood stick to a standard 2-piece with a wood blade, then on to a comp blade or OPS, experimenting with tapered shafts/blades and different flexes along the way as you get stronger.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

IMO the one95 wood blade is horrible