steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 18, 2010 Ok, I've never posted on here before so let me start out by saying I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong section.So here's my concern: I've been looking for a Warrior Smyth tapered blade for some time now. I had given up hope and decided to just wait until Warrior released the Gionta curve on replacement blades. However, the other day, I found a RH (and LH) Smyth blade at a very small LHS around me for the same price as any Dolomite replacement blade I could buy online or in stores.. I was hoping someone who has played with both blades or just someone a little more knowledgable could help me out here in which one I should get. I know the Smyth blades are rare but they are pretty much the Kovalchuk pro stock blade. The problem I have is I don't want to fall in love with a blade that is hard to come by but I also don't want to wait for the Gionta curve to come out, not like it, and miss my opportunity on the Smyth blade if it were to sell (they only had one).Can someone help me out here? Thanks in advance, it's much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cemetery 14 Report post Posted October 18, 2010 I haven't seen the Gionta yet in person, but from pics the blade shape is a little different (Smyth has the beveled toe like Kovy pro), and the Gionta looks more like a true toe compared to the Smyth which is more of an extreme mid than toe. BTW check your PM! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$m0k3 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 Might want to ask TBL fan, he has played with both. I got a dolo Smyth and Kovy pro and they are nothing alike. Depends on how long you can wait because i believe the blades are not coming out til April. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 8 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 If you want the Smyth, get it. The Gionta won't be out for a while longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$m0k3 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 There is a slight difference in the lie of a Kovy pro and Gionta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnpucker 33 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 If you want the Smyth, get it. The Gionta won't be out for a while longer.Saw the Gionta in a LHS in Minnesota. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbatafuco 6 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 Saw the Gionta in a LHS in Minnesota.Think he meant the blade, not the ops Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CAmmon 2 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 +1 for buying the curve you actually want Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 +1 for buying the curve you actually wantAgreed. That's why I'm trying to figure out a little more about each before I purchase one. Since I've never played with either, I was hoping to get some info from those who have.Thanks for all the replies so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBLfan 25 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 Might want to ask TBL fan, he has played with both. I got a dolo Smyth and Kovy pro and they are nothing alike. Depends on how long you can wait because i believe the blades are not coming out til April.I haven't used a Smyth, why buy a Smyth when I have over 14 Kovalchuk pros(or different players same pattern)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ibeck 38 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 Somebody put a picture in the GIONTA BLADE forum of the gionta blade next to a kovalchuk pro return and it was (if not exactly) pretty much identical. Anyone know when stores will be getting the gionta blade?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sniper9 539 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 i fell in love with the smyth... then i broke the 2 kroniks i had them in.. then i got used to the vanek... the smyth made toe drags ridiculously easy and also i love slingshotting my wristers.. but i can get used to any blade, i am sure most of you can.. but i will probably go with the gionta once that comes out... too bad bauer doesnt make any nice toes.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 19, 2010 Somebody put a picture in the GIONTA BLADE forum of the gionta blade next to a kovalchuk pro return and it was (if not exactly) pretty much identical. Anyone know when stores will be getting the gionta blade??Thanks for the heads up on this and thanks to TBLfan for posting the aforementioned picture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnpucker 33 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 Think he meant the blade, not the opsNo it was an OPS. In Blaine, Mn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZINC 8 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 lettermans? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 lettermans?What? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J22 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 lettermans?Yes Lettermens has new dolo's in the Gionta. The store over by the superrink has them as well, I think its called Hockey zone. I think the Total Hockey in Maplewood had them also but am not 100% sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 No it was an OPS. In Blaine, MnI've seen the Gionta OPS, I'm waiting on the tapered replacement blades to come out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyscrape 5 Report post Posted October 20, 2010 I just ordered a 110 flex dolo with the Gionta curve, I will post pics when it arrives! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gefiltefish 9 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 Got my 110 Dolo Gionta today... Curve takes a bit of getting used to. I have used a Sakic and Vanek as of late... I can pretty much use any pattern. The Gionta has a big hook and the heel/mid of the blade is curved too. Two guys actually asked if it was legal. I assume it is since the rules allow 3/4... Anyway, slappers and snap shots were really good, but wrist shots and passing needs some adjusting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyscrape 5 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 Got my 110 Dolo Gionta today... Curve takes a bit of getting used to. I have used a Sakic and Vanek as of late... I can pretty much use any pattern. The Gionta has a big hook and the heel/mid of the blade is curved too. Two guys actually asked if it was legal. I assume it is since the rules allow 3/4... Anyway, slappers and snap shots were really good, but wrist shots and passing needs some adjusting.I am very excited about this one! Sounds perfect! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sniper9 539 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 Got my 110 Dolo Gionta today... Curve takes a bit of getting used to. I have used a Sakic and Vanek as of late... I can pretty much use any pattern. The Gionta has a big hook and the heel/mid of the blade is curved too. Two guys actually asked if it was legal. I assume it is since the rules allow 3/4... Anyway, slappers and snap shots were really good, but wrist shots and passing needs some adjusting.with the wristers you will need to get used to flinging/slinging the puck off your toe... i foudn with flatter blades, it is easier to snap and slap... whereas the big hook curves the snappers and slappers are more unpredictable, and the wristeres were howitzers! i hope to get the gionta eventually... maybe like the OP, and get the blade.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gefiltefish 9 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 with the wristers you will need to get used to flinging/slinging the puck off your toe... i foudn with flatter blades, it is easier to snap and slap... whereas the big hook curves the snappers and slappers are more unpredictable, and the wristeres were howitzers! i hope to get the gionta eventually... maybe like the OP, and get the blade..The pattern shows a lot of potential. I bought a Vanek and a Gionta at the same time since they are totally opposite curves. The Vanek is a '10 Dolo and the Gionta is obviously a '11 Dolo. The Vanek was only available in a 100-flex and the Gionta was available in a 110, but I found the following when switching between sticks last night:1. Wristers with the 110 Gionta can be treated the same as my old Sakic curves. For sure a drag and then sling off the toe to go top shelf. I can't seem to load the stick up that much to get much power on the shot though.2. My slappers actually seemed fairly predictable with the 110 Gionta. You just have to get puck placement very properly. Don't hit it off the toe! I usually was striking the puck with the Sakic curve right off the middle of the blade. With the Gionta you have to do it more towards the heel to get a predictable shot. It is still a rising shot though.... I had a hard slapper before and my goalie commented after taking a few slappers during warm ups asking what I changed (I was coming from a 110 S19 Sakic). He said it is coming a lot quicker and a bit of a different rise to them... Everything with the Vanek curve was low for the most part, but I am fine with that since most slappers I do are for the rebound rather than the goal.3. Backhands with the Gionta are impossible. I had the "snipe" goal of my life with the Vanek though since it has been the first curve I have been able to backhand with since I used Forsberg-style curves (about 2 years ago!).4. Stickhandling and accepting passes is great with the Gionta. Best pattern I have ever used for those regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelnation248 102 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 The pattern shows a lot of potential. I bought a Vanek and a Gionta at the same time since they are totally opposite curves. The Vanek is a '10 Dolo and the Gionta is obviously a '11 Dolo. The Vanek was only available in a 100-flex and the Gionta was available in a 110, but I found the following when switching between sticks last night:...This post is much appreciated. I will definitely keep your break down of how the blade plays in mind when I decide what I want to do. I currently use Sakic or Sakic clones so this was very helpful, although I usually use around an 85 flex so the loading up on the wristers will be a little different for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBLfan 25 Report post Posted October 21, 2010 You need to work on your backhand then, I found the Gionta is one of the easiest for backhands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
