A durable stick brand/ model

[adalbort 1]

I am pretty confident this topic has (to have) been discussed previously, yet I tried the search function but could not find anything for several different input parameters.

Essentially, I am sick and tired of breaking my new sticks every 3-4 weeks. Last time I was at my pro-shop, the owner (former pro player) said he was surprised my sticks would last that long, claiming he used to break his every 3/4 days. Then again, he was a pro, I'm a beer-leaguer in the best case-scenario.

In any case, I cannot possibly keep affording 100-200€ sticks every month. The model I just destroyed was a Bauer Total One, before it was a Reebok 9k, before that a CCM Octogun. It seems to me it is not a question of brand, but maybe of style of play and (I like to think, haha) of strength.

So, I am at a point where I am either going back to wood (they will not last more, but I will only pay 20 euro per stick) or to find a manufacturer and model that simply lasts longer.

Any suggestions?

PS: I play defense, I prefer a non-tapered, on the heavier-side stick. Oh, I forgot to add: I currently use a 85 flex, cut down a few inches up to a 95 flex aprox.

[Scotty 8]

How are your sticks breaking? Yes, all of them break, but if you're consistently going through them that often because of reasons other than freak accidents, then perhaps it is something with your form or style.

[sickwilly 37]

I'd consider switching back to a 2-piece setup. I've had far better luck with the durability of 2-piece standard setups than anything I've used in the past several years. Getting closeout OPS that are a little older may be another option to consider.

A lot of folks on here seem to think highly of the One95 shafts, but I've never tried one. I've gotten great durability out of TPS RLXN10, Warrior AK27 and Easton Ultra Lite standard shafts (although they're all fairly light).

[fiimb 1]

if durability is the big thing you're looking for, i'd suggest a stiff flex t100 shaft. the most solid feeling stick i've ever held.

[troy 12]

As discussed on here many times, stiffer does not always mean more durable. Unless it just so happens the hockey gods send out someone to two-hand your stick on a rigid once a month schedule, I'd look at your shooting technique.

[Half 2]

You could try an Easton ST. I've had one forever that gets brought out for chippier games and is still standing.

[Chadd 916]

How are your sticks breaking? Yes, all of them break, but if you're consistently going through them that often because of reasons other than freak accidents, then perhaps it is something with your form or style.

Exactly, it's one thing if they break from slashes but if they break from shooting, improving the efficiency of your motion will save you a lot of money.

[stuie7 6]

I am pretty confident this topic has (to have) been discussed previously, yet I tried the search function but could not find anything for several different input parameters.

Essentially, I am sick and tired of breaking my new sticks every 3-4 weeks. Last time I was at my pro-shop, the owner (former pro player) said he was surprised my sticks would last that long, claiming he used to break his every 3/4 days. Then again, he was a pro, I'm a beer-leaguer in the best case-scenario.

In any case, I cannot possibly keep affording 100-200€ sticks every month. The model I just destroyed was a Bauer Total One, before it was a Reebok 9k, before that a CCM Octogun. It seems to me it is not a question of brand, but maybe of style of play and (I like to think, haha) of strength.

So, I am at a point where I am either going back to wood (they will not last more, but I will only pay 20 euro per stick) or to find a manufacturer and model that simply lasts longer.

Any suggestions?

PS: I play defense, I prefer a non-tapered, on the heavier-side stick. Oh, I forgot to add: I currently use a 85 flex, cut down a few inches up to a 95 flex aprox.

All factors being equal I've had Warriors and Bauers last a long time and I've broke RBK/CCM and Easton really quickly. I can't comment on the durability of the TotalOne but RBK/CCM arn't very good for that in my experiance. Theres a guy I play with who'll literally go through a stick per month but he's got an absolute cannon of a slapshot, so theres a good chance you're right that it's because of your technique/power. If you're just one of those people, a two piece composite shaft/wood blade combo would be your cheapest option.

[adalbort 1]

All factors being equal I've had Warriors and Bauers last a long time and I've broke RBK/CCM and Easton really quickly. I can't comment on the durability of the TotalOne but RBK/CCM arn't very good for that in my experiance. Theres a guy I play with who'll literally go through a stick per month but he's got an absolute cannon of a slapshot, so theres a good chance you're right that it's because of your technique/power. If you're just one of those people, a two piece composite shaft/wood blade combo would be your cheapest option.

Hi to all, thanks for all the info.

I have a strong slapshot, but NOT THAT STRONG. I probably am shooting incorrectly, but how can I know what is wrong? Could I be hitting the ice too far from the puck, or with the blade hitting the ice frontally, instead of with the bottom?

ALL my sticks break at the area where blade and shaft meet. Sometimes a little more near the blade, sometimes a little more up, but definitely always there (but isn't there were most break, anyway?)

The 2-piece setup is probably a good option, since I imagine I would break the blades and just have to replace these. Or do they also break at the shaft?

[ndlancer95 0]

Chalk up another one for the ST. I've had a retail one '09 for about a year now and it's still going strong. I had 2 prostok ones but they ant last as long, which you can only expect from buying pro stock. The sT has that heavy feel to it and seems true to the posted flex within 2-3 points

[stuie7 6]

Hi to all, thanks for all the info.

I have a strong slapshot, but NOT THAT STRONG. I probably am shooting incorrectly, but how can I know what is wrong? Could I be hitting the ice too far from the puck, or with the blade hitting the ice frontally, instead of with the bottom?

ALL my sticks break at the area where blade and shaft meet. Sometimes a little more near the blade, sometimes a little more up, but definitely always there (but isn't there were most break, anyway?)

The 2-piece setup is probably a good option, since I imagine I would break the blades and just have to replace these. Or do they also break at the shaft?

Experts feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe taking too much ice is going to make your sticks crack at the hosel like this. I dont think a different stick will make much of a different until you tweek your technique.

[sickwilly 37]

Hi to all, thanks for all the info.

I have a strong slapshot, but NOT THAT STRONG. I probably am shooting incorrectly, but how can I know what is wrong? Could I be hitting the ice too far from the puck, or with the blade hitting the ice frontally, instead of with the bottom?

ALL my sticks break at the area where blade and shaft meet. Sometimes a little more near the blade, sometimes a little more up, but definitely always there (but isn't there were most break, anyway?)

The 2-piece setup is probably a good option, since I imagine I would break the blades and just have to replace these. Or do they also break at the shaft?

Shafts will break sometimes, too. I have found standard shafts are quite a bit more durable for me.

[hamstercaster 2]

I always thought that high level sticks were built for performance, not durability. The guys I play with that use high end sticks don't have them for much longer than a month or two before they have to change. Those like me who use entry or mid-level sticks seem to keep them for much longer so perhaps you could try something like a Reebok 6K, a Bauer One75/X:40. I have never broken a OPS and usually find myself buying a new stick just so I have a new stick. I play D, block and tip many shots with my stick on top of being a heavy guy.

[Jarick 5]

Try an Easton ST or a Harrow 2-piece. Very durable sticks. And you can also try taking less ice during slapshots.

[chippa13 1844]

Experts feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe taking too much ice is going to make your sticks crack at the hosel like this. I dont think a different stick will make much of a different until you tweek your technique.

Not necessarily always on the hosel. It depends where the weakest point is below the bottom hand because that is where the stick will snap when you're taking too much ice.

[Chadd 916]

Not necessarily always on the hosel. It depends where the weakest point is below the bottom hand because that is where the stick will snap when you're taking too much ice.

It also depends on the angle when pressure is applied. If you load the stick before putting excessive down force, it will snap higher. If you stick isn't well loaded when the down force is applied, most will break in the area described.

[fanatic26 0]

I agree that there must be something with technique. But in any case you should go with a 2-piece setup. I personally have a one95 shaft-blade combo and its just as good as my one95 one piece. I've had my 2-piece for close to 2 months now and its holding up very well and I mostly use this stick at stick and pucks so all I do for and hour or two is wrist and do slap shots with it. Me and buddy of mine do passes to each other during stick and puck and he likes to pass very hard. So again , my one95 2-piece setup is holding up very nicely !! And also when a blade breaks , you just replace the blade ($50-$60 bucks compared to $180-$200 ops ). just my $.02

[RussianDangler15 0]

Not sure how others have held up but my se16 was the longest lasting stick I've ever had even though now it's just a back up before that it had lasted atleast one highschool season of play. For me thats durable I break sticks pretty often.

[adalbort 1]

It also depends on the angle when pressure is applied. If you load the stick before putting excessive down force, it will snap higher. If you stick isn't well loaded when the down force is applied, most will break in the area described.

Ok, this is getting interesting, and promises to teach a thing or two about shooting, because I have no clue whatsoever what "to load" a stick is... :) I just pull the stick upwards, look at the puck, accommodate my body to maximize hips/waist rotational force, and lower the stick while I rotate my hips until hitting the ice (hopefully) 1-2 inches before the puck is, then follow through.

[chippa13 1844]

Basically, loading the stick means to get the stick flexing since it is the snap back that really adds power to a shot.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

It's funny when you look at someone who claims they've never found a durable stick who happens to break sticks from literally every manufacturer. At some point you would think they'd notice there's something wrong with their technique........

[adalbort 1]

It's funny when you look at someone who claims they've never found a durable stick who happens to break sticks from literally every manufacturer. At some point you would think they'd notice there's something wrong with their technique........

isnt that what I am doing...?

It also depends on the angle when pressure is applied. If you load the stick before putting excessive down force, it will snap higher. If you stick isn't well loaded when the down force is applied, most will break in the area described.

Chadd what do you mean by "down force is applied"? I assumed the correct way to "load" or flex the stick was precisely by hitting it against the ice, which provides a point of contact (fulcrum) through which I can lever the shaft somewhere.

[Jarick 5]

Have you tried a stiffer stick at all?

[Chadd 916]

Chadd what do you mean by "down force is applied"? I assumed the correct way to "load" or flex the stick was precisely by hitting it against the ice, which provides a point of contact (fulcrum) through which I can lever the shaft somewhere.

You need some down force but, in my experience, a lot of people use too much. Especially those that are using stiffer sticks. Between hand speed and friction alone my sticks load on wrist shots, so very little down force is required.

[raganblink 82]

all factors on your technique etc aside,

the octogun and 9k were(are) POS. 3-4 weeks seems about right. there is a reason they made them for a couple months than stopped.