Do composite OPS become flexier over time?

[chrisalchin 1]

So i used to snap a stick every 3-4 weeks, I am usualy on the ice 2-6 times a week depending on the season. about 2 seasons ago I bought a 4 pack of CCM U+ 08 sticks in the square toe laclavier curve in 85 flex. I was using these at stock length, although cut down 4 inches with a oggie ero grip inserted. amazingly I went 2 years without breaking one. I didnt like the pattern though, Im a toe curve closed face guy, and the lac curve was a big open heal curve, however my wrist shot from 15feet was spectacular, awesome accuracy and speed. I gave away 3 of the ccm sticks and continued using the number 1 stick for well over 2 years. Last week I ordered some inno manic prolite sticks from hockey monkey in 95 flex kovy curve (closed face big toe curve) and man these things are STIFF STIFF STIFF, I am 5,11 225lbs and when I put all my weight on the stick I can bend it less then an inch, so either these sticks are not 95 flex, or my old 85flex ccm's had become whippier over time. either way my shot has turned to shit and im getting major pain in my lower hand trying to flex the stick and get a shot off... what are my options? Im not really in a position to buy another batch of sticks right now...

Chris

[AIREAYE 248]

Yeah they will, but it varies from stick to stick and person to person. What happens is that everytime the stick flexes and springs back to position, there are micro (?) tears in the carbon or composite fibers. Overtime you might or might not notice this. Oh and do you still need that avatar pic? haha no offence...

[Chadd 916]

Are you using the Oggie Grip now? They do add some extra whip to the overall flex of your stick.

[chrisalchin 1]

nah not using the oggie at the moment, is there any reason (apart from lengthing the stick) that the oggie would effect the flex? and yeah Ill change my avatar tonight AIREAYE lol

[sharks25 9]

The oggie adds flex because its softer than the normal shaft. It's supposed to amplify the flex a bit.

[watchgreat 4]

When I had my oggie I actually ended up getting a new stick because I had it cut short and the grip caused it to fell like a JR stick.

[chrisalchin 1]

Yeah I think I might try the oggies again before I sell off the new stick where the hell can I buy them though, they seem to have dissapeared?

[Chadd 916]

Contact Oggie directly.

http://www.oggiegrip.com/

[the_sock 1]

Every stick will soften over time and use, losing their "pop" (rebound essentially). The resin that coats and holds the graphite breaks down each time you flex the stick, causing small tears that makes the resin and graphite (carbon fibre) lose it's elasticity.

Some companies have tried different things, Bauer is using "Elastec" which they put carbon nano tubes in the resin to strengthen and increase durability so you keep the "pop" longer.

So in response to your question, if you can't load your stick (flex) when new, it may be too stiff. Even when it gets "soft" you lose all the performance benefits. You also put in an Oggie grip, which may cause you to cut down your stick lower than if you were just taping, which causes the stiffness to increase even more. My recommendation would be to use something in around the 85 flex or even a 75 if it is a notorious stiff shaft (ie, RS is whippy soft, use 100, 11K is stiff, use reg or mid). I hope this makes sense.

[Oggie Grip 0]

You also put in an Oggie grip, which may cause you to cut down your stick lower than if you were just taping, which causes the stiffness to increase even more. My recommendation would be to use something in around the 85 flex or even a 75 if it is a notorious stiff shaft (ie, RS is whippy soft, use 100, 11K is stiff, use reg or mid). I hope this makes sense.

Just to clarify, yes it is true that when you cut your stick before you put in an Oggie Grip, your stick flex will increase. After installing the Oggie Grip into your cut stick, your overall stick flex will then perform better than original, because Oggie has a more robust flex characteristic that is better suited for the grip area of the stick. You are effectively turning any stick into a tri-flex stick. The flex is engineered back into a previously cut stick. The result is simply better performance.

For some taller and stronger players, they may feel that the flex of the standard "enhanced flex" Oggie is too whippy, but we have addressed this long ago with our stiff and extra-stiff flex grip options.

We can can get into this with greater detail is anyone is interested.

[chrisalchin 1]

All I know is that my shot and my hand skills increased dramatically with the oggie ergo grips and Now i can't get them anymore. Its kinda like getting somone hooked on heroine then locking them in empty room. Oggie grips are the best invention since hockey. Hey Oggie Grips, ive been plugging the crap out of the oggie ergo grips for yonks now, how about a couple of freebies seeing as i cant find them for sale anywhere?

[gxc999 7]

To add to the original post/question, my biggest frustration with sticks losing their stiffness is that you never know how fast it will happen from company to company or even with two of the same, identical stick. If there was any way for a company to disclose an estimation to their buyers, though it's not terribly practical, I'd sure appreciate it.