Reebok 11k OPS

[retroXvertigo 4]

Background: Stay at home D man. 75 flex, Phaneuf curve, non grip. This is my first Reebok stick. Previous sticks are Warrior Dolomite, Bauer One95, X60, Total One.

Blade

This was really the main issue I had with the stick. The blade does chip very easily. After two games I had a decent sized chip on the toe. Now after a few months of use, it's continuing to grow. I've read the previous sticks in this line have had similar issues, but this is my first Reebok stick. I can say as far as my experience goes, the issue still exists. (pics below) The chipping has not affected performance.

Other than the chipping, the blade is very stiff and has good puck feel. The blade also has dimpling on it like several other Reebok twigs. It didn't make any noticeable difference to me as far as puck trajectory goes. I'm a stay at home D man with brick hands, so I don't think anything would for me.

7/10 Mainly because of the chipping

Shaft/Flex

Feels pretty true to flex. I prefer a whippy stick and got the 75 flex. One of the main reasons I snagged one if these is my deep love for sticks with a matte finish. I previously have had a few X60LEs and loved them. Stick has been hit with a few heavy shots and has held up like a champ. The 75 flex is 2 inches shorter than the higher flex counterparts, which puts it at the same length as all of my Bauer sticks.

9/10

Stickhandling/receiving passes

Stick plays as well as you could expect from a brick handed fellow like me. The only difficulty I had in this area was do to the very low weight of this stick.

8/10

Shooting

I really dig the way the puck comes off of this thing. Nice low kick point with a decent amount of power. Accuracy is good.

9/10

Weight and balance

Very well balanced. Reebok claims to have added more weight near the butt end to balance it out. Feels pretty natural, not blade heavy at all. This stick is stupid light. It took a little time with it to get used to it. It also made it a bit tougher to switch back to my TO. Thie light weight may not be for everyone.

8/10

Durability

Besides the blade, the stick has held up pretty well. Taken some nasty hacks and given some out. It's also been hit with some hard shots and came out okay (The kind of shots that broke a few X60s one me).

7/10

Intangibles

This is a little higher in the price range, although they can be found for cheaper these days.

Conclusion

Over all this is a few nice stick. It still goes to a lot of games with me. It has not won over the place in my heart held by the One95 and now the TO. I'm happy with it, but I'm also a bit annoyed by the blade issue, even if the blade still plays the same way. I just expect a little more out of a high end stick. I may or may not grab another one in the future.

8/10

Blade chipping pics.

[Scopes 4]

Product:

Reebok 11k Sickick 3 Grip P91A, 1'' cut

Use:

Nine months, usually 2 games and 2 practices/scrimmages weekly

Height: 5'11

Weight: 195lbs

Position: Left Wing, Left D, right shot

Aesthetics: 9/10

Subdued flash adequately describes this stick. A dark colorway with light, reflective lettering provides classic hockey stick looks as well as some modern flair.

Weight/balance: 9/10

Although not the lightest stick on the market, the 11k feels very balanced in my hands. On defense once handed stick play is very comfortable and the stick is cooperative in the sense that it is light enough to poke check with while having enough weight to actually knock the puck away and disrupt play. As a winger the weight of the stick assists in its solid feel requiring a hard stick check to knock the puck off the blade. The 11k is an excellent weight and the balance makes the stick easy to control with one hand.

Blade: 9/10

The blade of the stick is very stiff and after months of use has not lost any rigidity. As an aggressive stick checker this blade has been stepped on smashed and jammed many times, and still is holding strong. I play every game with fresh tape covering the toe and have not had any issues with the blade. Thought The rounded toe has not given me any chipping issues.

Shaft/Flex: 9/10

This stick has a nice mid point kick to the flex pattern and is consistent in its pop. After nine months of use, the flex remains very much the same, not having flexed out or developed any strange flex patters throughout the stick. The shaft profile is a square with rounded edges which feels nice in the the hands. The grip feel is not overly tacky which allows movement of the lower hand with ease though having enough hold to prevent the stick from twisting in the hands when a hard slap shot is taken.

Stickhandling/Passing: 9/10

From a defenseman's perspective this stick is great for throwing out long flat hard passes, and as a forward it is easy to receive a puck either on either side of the blade. The P91a works excellent with the shaft for cradling and protecting the puck while having plenty of loft for saucer passes.

Shooting: 10/10

I love shooting with this stick. The puck absolutely explodes off the blade and I find that the accuracy is unparalleled. The consistency of the stick makes it very easy to get used to, because the same thing is expected with every shot. Every shot is usable with this stick, it does not favor any specifically.

Durability: 8/10

I have had very good durability with this stick. Despite lots of graphic flaking and cuts and dings the stick has held up very well for the abuse I have put it through. It's going on nine months without breaking which is incredible for me.

Conclusion 9/10

The Reebok 11k is a great all around stick, very durable, consistent and fun to play with. I would recommend this stick to anyone. I have enjoyed using it and would purchase another. Now that it is no longer RBK's flagship stick, great deals can be found on it making it a very good value for a stick.