OPS Technology

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

A HUGE problem for the Busch stick was price. The $250 price tag was far ahead of its time. You can say all you want about performance, however, the durability was INCREDIBLE!

It is obvious that their claims of how much faster/harder your shot was didn't make an impression on consumers or pros.

With that said, I find it interesting that GRAF stuck with them for so long...but NOT surprised.

Typical GRAF in trying to get the square peg in the round hole.

What year was the Busch stick released and what was the next most expensive option? Also was the Busch stick around before composite shafts?

[chippa13 1844]

http://www.busch-hockey.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=storia.home&lan=en

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

http://www.busch-hockey.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=storia.home&lan=en

This is interesting... Busch now dabling in Nano technology?

http://www.busch-hockey.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=prodotti.home&lan=en

[VakarLajos 5]

Very true.

With that said, what stick are you currently playing with? Just curious.

S19 retail. Before that was using the S17 and then Zbubble with One90 wood blade.

[adam14 182]

Busch's newer sticks are great quality. having lived in Switzerland where they are produced i've gotten to use my fair share of them (laser, balance, titanium, ice lab) I havent used the 09-10 models since i've moved back to canada, but i've never heard many complaints about them. they are durable, and their flex ratings have been sorted out. for a long time people used to think that busch was only available in 100 flex. this is not the case. if anybody has any questions pm me and i'll do my best to fill you in.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

First Busch stick in North America was the Sher-Wood Carbone - I believe there were a couple of models. Then it was the Itech Balance then Graf Laser.

[fiimb 1]

The 10k and 11k retail and pro sticks are completely different. They aren't even made by the same OEM.

I mean on a completely subjective level. yes one could be a broom stick and the other a fly swatter, but whats the difference to a hockey player if they both shoot and feel the same? the fellow i was having the discussion with wanted the new stick only because it had a newer badge, not because it had any performance gains over the two se16's he brought to shinny or the half dozen other high end sticks.

Im not trying to compare prostock to retail at all. my 10k just happened to be a prostock.

From this, OPS 'technology' to the average consumer is just buying the newest and shiniest toy on the market.

[halfmoonyote 0]

The only rep I really spent time talking to about sticks was the Easton rep. He explained to me how the new weighting system has made the synergy line that much better and to give it a shot. When I used the demo for about 20 min I was extremely disappointed. Personally once the Easton Synergy SE's stopped in production, I have used Warrior Dolomite's ever since.

The Warrior Dolomite has been a great stick for me. Its basically the same stick just with different graphics. Chances are once I am done reviewing the EQ50 I will go back to the Dolos for one simple reason. It works. Just because new technology comes out and is available doesn't mean that it's necessarily better.

The question i am asking is why change something that worked.Like the 05 stealth god that stick was the best ops i ever had and it went downhill from there IMO.I tend to agree with Hyprlte on the warriors sticks,they did not change a lot of things on there stick and they are selling pretty good in my area and its been the same since the inno days.

Agreed on both accounts here. The Dolomite, IMO, is an excellent stick all the way around. Back on topic, I've tried each of Warrior's 'advancements' over the past few years, and IMO, they've only gotten better and better. The first gen Spynes were fairly heavy, almost dead feeling, and split pretty easily. I'm sure Warrior took notice, so they improved the process with each subsequent offering. I don't have many retail sticks in my collection (2 total, actually) but the 2010 Kronik w/Spyne tech, which is touted as having the True-One design, is one of the nicest performing sticks I've ever used. Just a beautiful piece of gear, both functionally and fashionably.

EDIT: This may be for a different thread, but I forgot to mention in response to someone's post regarding how quickly Warrior got Turris his stuff versus Easton...late this past season, every single Warrior stick user on the Yotes switched to Easton. By season's end, only Jovo (a longtime Warrior stalwart) and Nokeleinen (who used Warrior w/the Ducks) were the only remaining Warrior stick users.

[shotty 7]

anyone know why?

coyotes on credit hold with warrior??? j/k

[halfmoonyote 0]

That's what I was thinking MC, it probably had to do with the rep. I could be mistaken, but Easton made a pretty strong push late in the year and got a lot of pros to switch out of the sticks they were using (some temporarily, some permanently). I just remember how crazy it was that the Yotes seemed to switch out en masse.

I was mildly surprised when Doan originally chose Warrior after CCM.

One last, last, thing...MC, I have some old TPS sticks that Doan used in practice when he was still with CCM...were you his TPS rep at the time???

[hyprlte 0]

That's what I was thinking MC, it probably had to do with the rep. I could be mistaken, but Easton made a pretty strong push late in the year and got a lot of pros to switch out of the sticks they were using (some temporarily, some permanently). I just remember how crazy it was that the Yotes seemed to switch out en masse.

Yea a few leafs did that also.. the big one was kessel, after using xxxx/x60s all season

[Fisticuffs 0]

I'd say we give credit where it probably belongs...the rep kicked ass.

Unless you're a a top 5 or 6 player on a team in the NHL, I think that's probably what it comes down to. Obviously if you're Crosby, and have a huge Reebok deal, a) Reebok is going to make sure you get what you want and b) you're not going to be using Bauer unless you have no other option.

If you're a 3rd or 4th line guy, I think you go with the brand who's rep takes the best care of you, unless you feel their product is substantially inferior to the competition. There's still a big place for the seemingly lost art of customer service.

[halfmoonyote 0]

MC - here is the one TPS sample of Doan's that I have pics of...then I'll stop getting off topic...

[the_game 452]

As far OPS technology (I think this is kind of related given the tech/cost related aspect), b/c of the cost associated with making the blade molds it disappoints me that there are only a limited number of curve options we have available to us at the retail level. Now I understand the whole business and manufacturing aspect behind making only certain curves, but it is still disappointing only being able to choose from a limited number of curve selections year after year.

I grew up with each company having their own set of curves and trying out a bunch of different curves each year or even tinkering around myself with curving a wood blade. But I am kind of getting sick of the PM9/Modano, P91/Drury, etc. options. I know you can track down Pro stocks from time to time, but if you find a curve you like it may prove difficult to track down that curve again.

I understand the logistical nightmare a custom curve or 'pick your pro pattern' program would cause some of these companies, but it would be nice to see some other curve options come out at the retail level. I've actually gone out and picked up some tapered wood blades to use with a few tapered shafts I have, just to mess around w/ curving and shaping them. Granted wood doesn't perform nearly as well as an OPS it is nice to be able to give a new curve a try.

That's really my only gripe, love the tech, but am getting sick and tired of the curve options.

[raganblink 82]

sherwood sells or Atleast, sold, their rm19 with whatever curve you wanted. you could pick through their stock of companies curves, pro curves that they had, or you could submit your own through a wood blade and they'd clone it. not sure if they're still doing that on the t90 or not...

[Chadd 916]

As far OPS technology (I think this is kind of related given the tech/cost related aspect), b/c of the cost associated with making the blade molds it disappoints me that there are only a limited number of curve options we have available to us at the retail level. Now I understand the whole business and manufacturing aspect behind making only certain curves, but it is still disappointing only being able to choose from a limited number of curve selections year after year.

I grew up with each company having their own set of curves and trying out a bunch of different curves each year or even tinkering around myself with curving a wood blade. But I am kind of getting sick of the PM9/Modano, P91/Drury, etc. options. I know you can track down Pro stocks from time to time, but if you find a curve you like it may prove difficult to track down that curve again.

I understand the logistical nightmare a custom curve or 'pick your pro pattern' program would cause some of these companies, but it would be nice to see some other curve options come out at the retail level. I've actually gone out and picked up some tapered wood blades to use with a few tapered shafts I have, just to mess around w/ curving and shaping them. Granted wood doesn't perform nearly as well as an OPS it is nice to be able to give a new curve a try.

That's really my only gripe, love the tech, but am getting sick and tired of the curve options.

I'm down to my last couple blades and haven't been able to find a manufacturer that makes the curve I want and has tolerable feel. Right now the only options are Sher-wood and Ballistik/Combat.

[chippa13 1844]

I'm surprised that the other top companies haven't jumped on the "MyBauer" bandwagon in terms of stick options. Basically, the only thing keeping me from giving Reebok sticks more of a try is the lack of a P12/Iginla pattern.

[DarkStar50 679]

If you think about that idea, though, only Bauer is a hockey only company. The hockey divisions under Easton and RBK must not drive enough business strength for corporate Easton and RBK to justify this OPS custom program for consumers. I agree that this program could be used to Easton and RBK's advantage as well. Easy opportunity to build brand loyalty among your customers.

[Chadd 916]

If you think about that idea, though, only Bauer is a hockey only company. The hockey divisions under Easton and RBK must not drive enough business strength for corporate Easton and RBK to justify this OPS custom program for consumers. I agree that this program could be used to Easton and RBK's advantage as well. Easy opportunity to build brand loyalty among your customers.

They're also trading profit for market share. As long as the local shop is getting their cut and the cost is roughly the same as retail, there is significantly less profit in customized sticks. Hockey already runs on thinner margins than most other fields, other manufacturers may not be willing to trade profit margins for market share. Easton would have an advantage if they chose to do it as they have a facility in Mexico and any added labor costs would likely be offset by the reduced shipping costs and still get product in hand more quickly.

[DarkStar50 679]

Some manufacturers need market share more than they need profit! Almost.........

[chippa13 1844]

True, the customized sticks will eat into margin. I guess the question is: how much margin is better than no margin at all? Each company's board room has a different answer for that one.

[the_game 452]

Maybe that's part of the future technology for some of these companies...advancing the mold technology to bring down the cost barrier of entry for custom or a wider array of curve options so that the companies can make an adequate profit off of these curves.

[DarkStar50 679]

Hockey players have more excuses for not having any money than any other group. Run a beer league team if you don't believe me.

[Scotty 8]

Yeah, that sounds exactly like something that Mr. Average Joe could do himself.

Sorry, but I don't ever see an idea like that happening. Add in the fact that the blade internals are not only for feel, but structural rigidity. You'd have people screwing up their own blades and blaming the company.

[skyscrape 5]

First Busch stick in North America was the Sher-Wood Carbone - I believe there were a couple of models. Then it was the Itech Balance then Graf Laser.

I remember seeing one of these in Oakland right around 93 or 94 and wanting it so bad! My dad laughed considering I was a pee-wee at the time and the price tag was 260.00!