Help with Blade Curve

[Booshwacka 0]

Hello All...New here and I figured I'd start my time with a question

So ive been playing hockey for about 5 years now...starting with a Coffey Curve and quickly getting away from it for be of the crazy curve

The last 2-3 years ive still been trying to find my perfect blade.

Ive have had the Nash TPS blade

------ Mid Toe -- Deep-- Slightly open-- 5.5 -- Round -- Medium --- 87 Flex cut to around 95 Bauer XXXX Shaft

I had to make a switch from this curve because everything I shot went top shelf. I changed to something more straight a TPS Tkachuk blade

------ Heel -- Moderate-- Slightly open-- 5 -- Round -- Long --- 95 Flex Cut to around 105 TPS Response R8

Now Its like I have to try real hard to get the puck off the ice. Although my stick handling, passing, and control is better, I cant get the puck off the ice as easily as before.

So I'm looking for a Blade that does everything my Tkachuk does, but is a little easier to get some air under the puck. I know the type, depth, lie are different ... I just don't know what Which to tweak/change to get what im looking for.

Thanks for the help, I am the only one in my family that plays hockey and I don't really have anyone to ask advice.

[Chadd 916]

check the wear on the bottom of your blades. If both sticks are the same length, they should have different wear patterns. That will guide you a little better as one lie will work better for you than the other.

I would look into a warrior Vanek. One other thing to consider is a lower flex. I often find that a lower flex will often help elevate the puck, or at least a stiffer flex will make it harder to lift the puck with a smaller curve or less loft.

[Booshwacka 0]

Thanks for the quick reply

I looked at my heels...ive never taped them all the way down...

I can't really notice a difference if one is more worn than other.

check the wear on the bottom of your blades. If both sticks are the same length, they should have different wear patterns. That will guide you a little better as one lie will work better for you than the other.

I would look into a warrior Vanek. One other thing to consider is a lower flex. I often find that a lower flex will often help elevate the puck, or at least a stiffer flex will make it harder to lift the puck with a smaller curve or less loft.

[innotastic 12]

i'd consider a slightly open mid curve, something like a TPS afinogenov or bauer p88. easy to control wrist shots and puck handling. lie is very similar to TPS nash, slightly higher than tkachuk.

[ponder 0]

If you have trouble even raising the puck with your Tkachuk, my guess is that heel curves are not for you. At the same time the Coffey and Nash curves were a bit too extreme for you, so maybe a less extreme/open mid curve would be the way to go. I agree with innotastic's suggestion of the P88, it's a fairly average sized mid curve with a fairly closed face. Easton's Iginla curve is pretty similar to the P88, but looking at my Iggy and my P88 I'd say the Iggy has a slightly higher lie, a slightly shorter blade, a slightly shallower curve and a bit less rocker - I prefer the P88, but it's personal preference. Both the P88 and Iggy are way less deep and significantly less open than the insane Coffey curve, not sure how they compare to the Nash curve though. You describe the Nash as a slightly open mid-toe, but the Nash curve a guy on my team uses is more of an open heel curve, but I know TPS confusingly changed some of their curves while keeping the same name.

Also gotta agree with Chadd's advice re: lie and flex. Nobody can give you a good curve suggestion until you know what lie works best for you, tape your entire blade and see where the wear is, if it's really concentrated towards the heel you'll need a lower lie, if it's really concentrated towards the toe you'll need a higher lie. The small difference in lie and rocker between the Iggy and P88, for example, is IMO the main reason why I shoot better with a P88, and I shoot better still with a slightly lower lie than that. As for flex, as a newer player you'll probably shoot better with a whippier stick, especially if you're cutting them down a few inches. If I were you I'd give a 75/77 flex a go (so about 85 after you cut it down), your current stick is cut down to a 105, you'll need to have excellent technique and really be able to get your weight into your shots properly to shoot properly with that thing, something you likely aren't doing if you've only been playing for 5 years.

Finally, when you shoot, where would you say you cup the puck right at the start of the shot? Close to the toe, mid blade, or close to the heel?

[sickwilly 37]

I agree with the suggestions that have already been made. The first curve that came to my mind was the p88. The Afinogenov has quite a curve to it, but isn't all that open, so that may be a good option as well. I haven't had a problem with shots "sailing" on me with either of those two patterns. I'd stay away from the "Sakic clones" like p92, Hall, Stastny and Draper - IMO, they'll perform pretty similarly to your Nash.

[Hooah4 12]

I'll just chime in and give my 2 cents as well. For a little more curve than a modano/tkachuk, etc...I tried the Vanek and it was like a lower lie, less open sakic. the only thinkg I didn't like was the length of the blade. Just my pp. I tried and liked the Hedman curve. Very similar to the kane/lindros with a little lower lie. Not too much curve, not too little, and a neutral face.

[Andoy 5]

I also suggest getting a shaft. That way your wallet won't take too much of a hit when you're trying out new curves. and practice, practice, practice

[Booshwacka 0]

Thanks for all the great replys

I do currently have a Shaft that Im going to buy a couple blades for

looking like something like P-88-- kane/ lindros mid-heel .... might get a mid to try something like Afinogenov TPS

also will look at the vanek....never owned a warrior stick

Always had nike/bauer, sherwood, and TPS

im taping sticks now i skate friday and sunday so i will know more about the lie after sunday

And definitely going to buy around a 80 Flex Stick

I weight around 190-200 lbs so i need some kind off beef haha

[SolarWind 23]

this is the closes thread I found to my problem, but it's not exactly the same so here it goes:

@ 9 years my son now seems to be big enough for a junior stick. it's his 5th year playing and youth sticks are too flimsy for him - too much flex, to thin of a shaft...

jr sticks have nice curves so I picked up a mid range Warrior for him with a Draper curve (1/2" mid, open) - similar to p92

He initially had problems with keeping his shots low & making sure hard passes don't jump over the blade but now is adjusting. still I wonder if it mean something more closed like P88 would have been a better option?

I never tried that pattern (always had P92-likes before), so what are the advantages of a closed or neutral face curve?

Thanks!